Summary:
The seven schools in Miami's 33136 zip code, part of the Miami-Dade County Public School District, serve a diverse range of students from elementary through high school, with an average free/reduced lunch rate of 72% indicating significant socioeconomic challenges.
The standout performer is Sports Leadership And Management Charter School Middle School (SLAM Middle), which achieves exceptional academic results despite having the lowest per-student spending ($9,875) and a high student-to-teacher ratio of 81:1. It posted near-perfect proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (89%) and Biology 1 (95%), far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, Booker T. Washington Senior High presents a paradox with a 94.7% graduation rate but alarmingly low test scores—only 27% of 9th graders were proficient in English Language Arts—and a 58.3% chronic absenteeism rate. Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School has seen a dramatic decline, dropping from the 38th to the 10th percentile in state ranking despite high per-student spending of $19,760. Meanwhile, Sports Leadership Arts Management Charter High School boasts a 99.5% graduation rate and low chronic absenteeism (23.8%), while Frederick R. Douglass Elementary shows strength in 5th-grade math (74% proficient) and ELA (66% proficient).
The most critical finding is that chronic absenteeism is the strongest predictor of low performance—the two schools with the highest rates (Booker T. Washington at 58.3% and Phyllis Wheatley at 52.8%) are the lowest-performing, while the two with the lowest rates (SLAM Middle at 22% and Sports Leadership High at 23.8%) are the highest-performing. This suggests that school culture and leadership, not just funding, drive success in this area. Parents should note that Mater Preparatory Academy and Theodore R. And Thelma A. Gibson Charter School also serve the community, with varying performance levels that require careful evaluation.
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