Summary:
In zip code 33181 of North Miami, Florida, three elementary schools serve students within the Miami-Dade County school district, offering a range of options from a small PK-5 school to a large K-8 center.
Mater Biscayne Academy North Miami Elementary School is the standout performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide. Its students achieve significantly higher proficiency in ELA and Math compared to the other two schools, with average proficiency rates of 76.3% and 80.3% respectively, well above district and state averages. This school also boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 14.2% and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch at 17.47%. In contrast, David Lawrence Junior K-8 Center and Natural Bridge Elementary School both hold 2-star ratings, ranking in the 38th-43rd percentile. David Lawrence Junior K-8 Center presents a mixed profile: its elementary-level scores are below average, yet its middle school students achieve near-perfect proficiency in advanced coursework like Algebra 1 and Biology. Natural Bridge Elementary shows a declining trend, dropping from a 3-star to a 2-star rating, despite having the highest per-student spending at $15,343 and the smallest class sizes.
Key takeaways for parents include that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, as Natural Bridge spends the most but performs the lowest. The data also reveals a strong link between socioeconomic factors and achievement, with Mater Biscayne's lower poverty rate correlating with its top scores. Chronic absenteeism varies widely, with David Lawrence at 25.2%—nearly double the rate of the other two schools—suggesting attendance is a critical issue there. Overall, Mater Biscayne Academy is the clear choice for strong elementary performance, while David Lawrence offers unique advantages for advanced middle school coursework.
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