Summary:
Zip code 33189 in Cutler Bay, Florida, is home to three public elementary schools serving grades PK-5, all part of the Miami-Dade County Public School District, which holds a 4-star rating.
Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary School stands out as the top performer in the area, with the highest state ranking (60th percentile) and a consistent 3-star rating. It boasts the largest enrollment (731 students) and the lowest percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (53.35%). Its academic strengths are clear, with strong English Language Arts (66.7% proficiency) and math (71.8% proficiency) scores. In contrast, Gulfstream Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, with a declining ranking (now at the 39th percentile) and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (31.6%). Despite spending a staggering $24,595 per student—over $10,000 more than its peers—Gulfstream has the lowest test scores, suggesting the funds are addressing significant challenges rather than boosting academic outcomes. Cutler Ridge Elementary School is the most improved, jumping 343 places in state ranking over three years to reach the 54th percentile and a 3-star rating, making it an "up-and-comer" with strong momentum.
A key takeaway is that chronic absenteeism is a clear predictor of performance, with Gulfstream's high rate correlating with lower scores. Math is a universal strength across all schools, with Whigham and Cutler Ridge both achieving 71.8% proficiency, while science is a notable weakness, as all three schools scored below the state average on the 5th-grade science exam. Overall, Whigham is the safe bet for strong academics, Cutler Ridge offers promising improvement, and Gulfstream requires targeted support to reverse its declining trend.
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