Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary schools (PK-5) located in Miami, FL, zip code 33169, all part of the Miami-Dade County Public School District, serving a student population with a high average rate of economic disadvantage.
Scott Lake Elementary School is the clear academic leader, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 40% of Florida elementary schools. It is the only school in the area to score above district and state averages in most subjects, and it achieves this with the lowest per-student spending ($13,717) and the largest class sizes (17.4:1). In contrast, Norwood Elementary School presents a paradox: it has the highest per-student spending ($20,104) and the smallest class sizes (11.6:1), yet its academic performance is middling, ranking lower than Scott Lake. Hibiscus Elementary School stands out for having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (14.0%), less than half the district average, though its test scores remain below average. Norland Elementary School has shown a sharp decline in its state ranking, while Parkway Elementary School, the smallest school with only 178 students, has the lowest state ranking and highest economic disadvantage rate, consistently scoring lowest on tests.
The key takeaway is that money does not guarantee success, as Scott Lake outperforms Norwood despite spending significantly less. The data also reveals an "attendance vs. achievement" puzzle at Hibiscus, where excellent attendance has not yet translated into high test scores. Overall, Scott Lake's stability and efficient use of resources make it the model school in the area, while Parkway appears to need the most targeted support to improve student outcomes.
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