Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 33034

This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 33034 (Florida City, FL), serving grades PK-8 and part of the Miami-Dade school district, a high-poverty area where all schools report significant economic disadvantage.

The standout performer is Lincoln-Marti Schools (International Campus), which earns a 3-star rating and ranks in the 65th percentile statewide, far outperforming its peers. It spends the most per student ($16,253), has the smallest class sizes (11:1 ratio), and achieves exceptional results, such as 93% proficiency in 3rd-grade math—27 points above the state average. In contrast, Miami Community Charter School and Florida City Elementary School both hold 1-star ratings, ranking in the bottom 16th and 12th percentiles, respectively. However, Florida City Elementary shows dramatic improvement, with 3rd-grade math proficiency more than doubling from 20% to 43% year-over-year, while Miami Community Charter has stagnated with flat or declining scores. Lincoln-Marti also avoids the "middle school cliff" seen at other schools, maintaining strong growth through 8th grade, with 7th-grade ELA at 91%.

Chronic absenteeism is a critical challenge across all schools, with rates at or above the state average of 31.4%. Florida City Elementary has the highest rate at 41.7%, a major barrier to learning despite its recent test score gains. The data strongly supports an "investment hypothesis": higher spending and smaller class sizes correlate with better performance, as Lincoln-Marti demonstrates that high poverty does not have to mean low performance. For parents, Lincoln-Marti offers the best academic outcomes and a continuous pathway through 8th grade, while Florida City Elementary shows promising momentum worth monitoring.