Summary:
This analysis examines three high schools in zip code 33035 (Homestead, FL), serving grades 9-12 within the Miami-Dade County Public School District, which range from a large traditional public school to smaller charter options.
Keys Gate Charter High School stands out as the top-performing school in the area, holding the highest state percentile rank (53rd percentile) and a 3-star rating for the 2025-2026 school year. It leads in academic proficiency across core subjects, including Geometry (49%), Biology 1 (74%), and US History (73%), while also having the lowest rate of economic disadvantage at 47.18% free/reduced lunch. Somerset Preparatory Academy High School Homestead excels in English Language Arts, with a 9th-grade ELA proficiency rate of 69% that exceeds both district and state averages, despite having the highest economic disadvantage (81.38%) and the lowest per-student spending ($8,099). Homestead Senior High School, the largest school with 2,323 students, shows consistent challenges with the lowest state rank (30th percentile) and math proficiency rates (33% in Algebra 1), yet it boasts the highest graduation rate in the area at 98.6%.
Key findings reveal a chronic absenteeism crisis across all schools, with rates dramatically higher than district and state averages—Keys Gate has an alarming 65.5% rate. There is an inverse relationship between spending and performance, as Somerset Prep outperforms Homestead Senior in several areas despite fewer resources. A systemic weakness in math is evident, with all schools scoring far below state averages in Algebra 1 and Geometry, while performing closer to averages in Biology and US History. Finally, a stark disconnect exists between high graduation rates (all above 93%) and low academic proficiency, suggesting students may be advancing without achieving grade-level mastery.
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