Summary:
The six schools in zip code 33035 (Homestead, FL), part of the Miami-Dade district, serve elementary through high school grades and face significant challenges, including a high average free/reduced lunch rate of 68.5% and a severe chronic absenteeism crisis averaging 44%.
Academic performance varies widely. Somerset Preparatory Academy Middle School (Homestead) is the standout, earning the only 3-star rating in the area with exceptional test scores—73% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 83% in Biology 1—far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center presents a paradox: it has the lowest state ranking (0-star, 7th percentile) yet achieves 100% proficiency in Biology 1 and 88% in Geometry for advanced students. Among high schools, Homestead Senior High School boasts the highest graduation rate at 98.6%, despite a low 2-star ranking and only 33% Algebra 1 proficiency, highlighting a disconnect between graduation and academic readiness. Keys Gate Charter High School struggles with a staggering 65.5% chronic absenteeism rate, while Somerset Preparatory Academy High School Homestead and Keys Gate Charter School (K-8) fall in the middle of the pack.
Key takeaways: The area’s high average graduation rate of 96.3% masks low academic proficiency, suggesting a focus on pushing students through rather than preparing them for college. The chronic absenteeism crisis is systemic, affecting every school. The "charter school advantage" is inconsistent, as charter schools occupy both the top and bottom of the rankings. A clear "middle school peak" exists, with the middle school outperforming elementary and high schools, indicating foundational weaknesses in early education.
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