Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary schools in the 33012 zip code of Hialeah, Florida, all part of the Miami-Dade County Public School District, serving grades PK-5 (with one K-8 center) and a majority low-income student population where 55% to 64% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Among these schools, Meadowlane Elementary School stands out as the most consistent high-performer, maintaining a 3-star rating for three years and achieving the highest state rank (60th percentile) while spending the least per student ($11,971). In contrast, Twin Lakes Elementary School shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from a 1-star to a 2-star school in one year with 3rd-grade math proficiency soaring from 54% to 81%. Marcus A. Milam K-8 Center presents a unique paradox: it has the lowest overall state ranking (1-star) but achieves perfect 100% proficiency in high school-level Geometry and 89% in Biology 1, far exceeding district averages. Mae M. Walters Elementary School boasts the best student-teacher ratio (15.1:1) and the highest state rank (61st percentile), while John G. Dupuis Elementary School has the highest economic need (64% free/reduced lunch) but still posts strong math scores.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results—Twin Lakes spends the most ($15,668 per student) but ranks lower than Meadowlane, which spends 31% less. Math is a clear strength across all schools, with every school outperforming the state average in 3rd-grade math. Chronic absenteeism is notably low across the zip code, with Meadowlane having the lowest rate at 17.2%, well below the district average of 28.2%. For parents, this area offers a mix of consistent performers, rapid improvers, and specialized programs, making it important to visit individual schools to find the best fit.
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