Summary:
There are three elementary schools in the 33014 zip code of Hialeah, Florida, all part of the Miami-Dade County Public School District, serving grades PK-5 (with one school extending to grade 8).
Miami Lakes K-8 Center is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide. It has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (18.4%) and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (41.56%), yet it spends the least per student ($11,350) and has the largest class sizes (18.6:1). Its performance in high school-level End of Course exams is exceptional, with 98% proficiency in Biology 1 and 91% in Geometry. In contrast, Palm Lakes Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, with a 2-star rating and a 37th percentile ranking. Despite having the highest per-student spending ($14,557) and the smallest class sizes (14.7:1), it has the lowest test scores and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (24.2%). North Twin Lakes Elementary School is a solid middle performer, showing a strong upward trend from the 44th to the 62nd percentile over the past three years, with moderate spending ($12,994) and class sizes (15.5:1).
The most striking finding is the inverse correlation between spending and performance: the top-performing school spends the least, while the lowest-performing school spends the most. This suggests that factors like school culture, curriculum, and family engagement are more critical drivers of success than financial resources alone. Chronic absenteeism also clearly differentiates the schools, with the best-performing school having the lowest rate. North Twin Lakes' upward trajectory indicates effective resource use, while Palm Lakes faces systemic challenges that may require comprehensive intervention beyond additional funding.
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