Summary:
The 16 schools in Homestead's zip code 33030, part of the Miami-Dade school district, serve approximately 13,394 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades, presenting a dramatic performance divide between specialized charter and magnet schools versus traditional public schools.
The area's standout performers are Medical Academy For Science And Technology (M.A.S.T.) @ Homestead, ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide with a 98.7% graduation rate, and School For Advanced Studies Homestead, which boasts a 100% graduation rate and only 8.4% chronic absenteeism. Among elementary schools, Somerset Academy Charter Elementary School (South Homestead) leads with 85% of 3rd graders proficient in math, despite 84% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. In stark contrast, Chambers High School faces severe challenges with a 98.7% chronic absenteeism rate, a 31.8% graduation rate, and a 48.6:1 student-teacher ratio—the highest in the area. Homestead Middle School and Laura C. Saunders Elementary School also struggle, ranking in the 18th and 11th percentiles respectively.
Chronic absenteeism emerges as a powerful predictor of performance, with the three highest-absenteeism schools also being the lowest-ranked. However, high poverty does not preclude success, as Somerset charter schools consistently outperform district averages despite high free/reduced lunch rates. South Dade Middle School presents a paradox: while overall scores lag, its advanced students achieve 84-90% proficiency on EOC exams, suggesting strong programs for some but inadequate support for the general population. The average chronic absenteeism across all schools is 36.5%, exceeding both district and state averages, while average spending per student is $14,726, ranging from $8,213 to $67,777 at the alternative Neva King Cooper Educational Center.
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