Summary:
This analysis examines seven elementary-level schools in the 33156 zip code of Miami, Florida, which are part of the Miami-Dade school district, serving a diverse mix of traditional public, K-8, and charter schools with enrollment ranging from 55 to over 1,000 students.
The area is defined by a clear upper tier of elite schools. Palmetto Elementary School is the standout, ranked #6 in the state with near-perfect test scores (100% in 4th-grade Math) and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 2.3%. True North Classical Academy At Pinecrest is another top performer, ranked #20 in the state, achieving these results with the lowest per-student spending ($9,753) and a 0.0% chronic absenteeism rate. Pinecrest Elementary School is the largest school (1,001 students) and consistently ranks in the 99th percentile. In contrast, schools like Howard Drive Elementary School and Somerset Academy Continental perform above district averages but are in a different competitive tier, with higher chronic absenteeism rates (13.5% and 20.9% respectively) and lower state rankings.
Key takeaways include that spending does not equal performance—True North spends the least but ranks highest, while Howard Drive spends the most ($19,086) but ranks lower. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful predictor of success, with the top three schools having rates far below the district (28.2%) and state (31.4%) averages. Additionally, K-8 centers like Kenwood K-8 Center and Vineland K-8 Center show a "middle school dip" in Math proficiency, unlike True North, which maintains high scores across all grades. This stratification means school choice in 33156 can dramatically impact a child's academic environment.
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