Summary:
In zip code 33156, there is one middle school, Palmetto Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in the Miami-Dade school district, an area with a relatively low rate of economic disadvantage as indicated by only 23.36% of students receiving free or reduced lunch.
Palmetto Middle School is a standout performer in advanced coursework, achieving 100% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 99% in Biology 1 on End-of-Course (EOC) exams, far exceeding district and state averages. The school has consistently earned a 4-star rating from the state, ranking in the 70th percentile among Florida middle schools. However, performance is uneven; while 6th and 8th grade math proficiency is strong (68% and 69% respectively), 7th grade math proficiency drops sharply to 42%, and 8th grade science proficiency is a low 41%, both below district and state averages. Chronic absenteeism is a positive point at 19.7%, lower than the district (28.2%) and state (31.4%), and the school spends $9,367 per student.
An interesting finding is the "7th grade math slump," where proficiency drops dramatically from 6th to 7th grade before recovering in 8th grade, a pattern seen in two consecutive school years. This suggests a potential curriculum or instructional challenge at that specific grade level. Despite low absenteeism and above-average spending, the school's state ranking has slightly declined over three years, from the 75th to the 70th percentile, indicating that while it remains a strong school, other schools in Florida are improving at a faster pace. For parents, this school offers exceptional advanced academic programs but has clear areas for improvement in standard grade-level math and science.
Thank you for your feedback!