Summary:
The 10 schools in Miami's 33177 zip code, part of the Miami-Dade district, serve approximately 7,637 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels, revealing a stark performance gap where a few standout schools dramatically outpace struggling peers.
The clear academic powerhouse is Herbert A. Ammons Middle School, ranked in the 98th percentile statewide with near-perfect test scores (99-100% proficiency in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Biology 1) and a remarkably low 6.9% chronic absenteeism rate—far below the district's 28.2% average. For high school, Robert Morgan Senior High School leads with a 99.6% graduation rate and strong US History (87%) and Biology 1 (79%) proficiency. Among elementary schools, Somerset Academy stands out as a math powerhouse, with 3rd through 5th-grade math proficiency ranging from 89% to 92%, far exceeding district averages. However, the "Somerset" brand shows inconsistency: while the elementary school excels, Somerset Academy Charter Middle School ranks only in the 66th percentile, and Somerset College Preparatory Academy South High School struggles at the 46th percentile with 36.6% chronic absenteeism.
A critical finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes. Miami Heights Elementary School spends the most per student ($14,665) but ranks in the 27th percentile, while Ammons Middle spends the least ($9,089) yet achieves top results. The average free/reduced lunch rate is 61.8%, indicating a predominantly low-income area, yet Ammons Middle (33.1%) defies this trend. Chronic absenteeism is a major challenge, averaging 26.4% across schools, with Caribbean K-8 Center (33.1%) and Somerset College Prep High (36.6%) exceeding the state average. The data also reveals a "middle school cliff," where strong elementary performance at schools like Academir Charter School Elementary South often drops significantly in middle school, as seen with Somerset Charter Middle's dismal 32% 8th-grade science proficiency.
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