Best High Schools in Zip Code 33135

In zip code 33135, Miami, Florida, there are two high schools serving grades 9-12: Miami Senior High School and International Studies Charter High School, both part of the Miami-Dade school district.

International Studies Charter High School is the standout school in this area, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranking in the top 10% of all Florida high schools. It boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate, significantly higher than the district average of 93.1% and state average of 92.2%. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 14.4% is less than half the district and state averages, indicating a highly engaged student body. The school also excels in test scores, with 88% proficiency in 10th-grade ELA and 85% in Geometry, far exceeding local and state averages. This success is achieved despite a higher percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (61.7%) and a lower spending per student ($9,492) compared to its larger counterpart.

In contrast, Miami Senior High School is a large traditional public school with 3,100 students and a 3-star rating. While it maintains a solid 95.8% graduation rate, it struggles with a chronic absenteeism rate of 38.8%, which is a strong predictor of lower academic performance. Its test scores lag behind, with only 47% proficiency in Geometry and 58% in ELA. However, it shows a notable strength in US History, with 80% proficiency exceeding district and state averages. The key takeaway is that the charter school dramatically outperforms the traditional school without spending more money, highlighting the impact of smaller class sizes and a focused academic environment. Families in this zip code have a clear choice between a high-performing, intimate charter school and a larger, traditional school with mixed results.