Summary:
Zip code 33181 in North Miami, Florida, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: the elite Mast@fiu and the solid Mater Biscayne Academy North Miami High School, both part of the Miami-Dade school district.
Mast@fiu is the clear standout, ranking 6th out of 838 high schools statewide (99th percentile) with near-perfect test scores averaging 97% proficiency and a 100% graduation rate. Its chronic absenteeism rate is an exceptionally low 7.4%, indicating a highly engaged student body. In contrast, Mater Biscayne Academy ranks a respectable 109th (87th percentile) with strong but less dominant scores, averaging 79% proficiency. Mater Biscayne spends $1,615 more per student ($12,397 vs. $10,782) yet achieves lower outcomes, suggesting Mast@fiu's success stems from its selective magnet focus and school culture rather than higher funding. Mater Biscayne's chronic absenteeism rate of 25.1% is much closer to the district average of 28.2%, which likely contributes to the performance gap.
Key takeaways for families: Mast@fiu offers an elite, high-pressure environment with top-tier academics and near-perfect attendance, while Mater Biscayne provides a solid, above-average traditional option with particular strengths in Biology (90% proficient) and US History (91% proficient). The two schools serve different student populations, with Mast@fiu having a lower free/reduced lunch rate (24.13% vs. 37.99%) and a slightly larger student-teacher ratio (24.4:1 vs. 20.5:1). Mast@fiu's slight ranking dip from #3 to #6 is minor but worth monitoring. Overall, families in 33181 have a clear choice between a nationally competitive magnet school and a reliable neighborhood high school.
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