Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 33138

This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 33138, serving grades PK-5 (with one extending to 8th grade), all part of the Miami-Dade school district, which is ranked 20th out of 70 districts in Florida.

Miami Shores Elementary School stands out as the highest-performing school in the area, achieving a 4-star rating and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide for 2025-2026. It has the largest enrollment (610 students) and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (53.28%). Interestingly, it spends the least per student ($11,902) among the three schools, suggesting that factors beyond funding drive its success. In contrast, Phyllis R. Miller Elementary School spends the most per student ($15,378) and has a low student-teacher ratio (15.7:1), yet its state ranking has been volatile, dropping from the 80th to the 53rd percentile before recovering to the 65th percentile. Morningside K-8 Academy presents a unique profile: its elementary-level test scores are below district averages, but its middle school (grades 6-8) excels, with 97% proficiency in Civics and 81% in Algebra 1. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (11.1%), well below the state average of 31.4%.

A key takeaway is the inverse relationship between spending and performance, as Miami Shores outperforms despite lower funding. All three schools share a common strength in low chronic absenteeism, which is less than half the state average. Science proficiency is a differentiator, with Morningside K-8 Academy (71%) and Phyllis R. Miller (63%) exceeding district and state averages in 5th-grade Science, while Miami Shores (59%) matches the district average. Parents should note the volatility in rankings for Phyllis R. Miller and Morningside K-8 Academy, which makes single-year data less reliable for assessing long-term performance.