Summary:
Zip code 33174 in Miami, Florida, is home to three elementary schools serving grades PK-8 within the Miami-Dade school district, offering a clear spectrum of academic performance from a top-tier powerhouse to a rapidly improving school.
Pinecrest Academy (North Campus) stands out as the academic powerhouse, achieving the highest test scores (92-98% proficiency in 3rd grade) despite having the highest poverty rate (65.38% free/reduced lunch) and the lowest per-student spending ($10,795). Its historically 99th percentile state ranking and extremely low chronic absenteeism rate (9.3%) suggest exceptional instructional efficiency. In contrast, Coral Park Elementary School is the consistent high-achiever, earning a 4-star rating and scoring above district averages in every subject and grade level, making it the most reliable choice for families. Sweetwater Elementary School is the improver, showing a dramatic turnaround from a 2-star to a 3-star school in just two years, with math proficiency soaring (e.g., 4th grade from 56% to 80%).
Key metrics reveal that money does not equal success: Sweetwater has the highest per-student spending ($14,828) but the lowest performance, while Pinecrest achieves top results with the lowest spending. Chronic absenteeism is a clear performance indicator, with Pinecrest's low rate (9.3%) correlating with its high scores, while Coral Park (17.8%) and Sweetwater (18.2%) lag behind. Coral Park offers the most well-rounded education across all grades, while Sweetwater's rapid improvement suggests targeted interventions are working. For parents, Pinecrest offers peak performance, Coral Park provides consistent excellence, and Sweetwater represents a school on a strong upward trajectory.
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