Miami is a major center and leader when it comes to finance, culture, arts, international trade, and commerce. It’s also home to approximately 470,911 people, making it the second largest city in Florida (after Jacksonville). We wrote about the best schools in Miami in this post, and now we are focusing on the best elementary schools in the Miami suburbs.
Seeing how big Miami is, finding the right school for your family in the Miami suburbs can be tough, and if you rely on the popular school rankings that you see on the real estate search portals, then beware because it’s a little known fact that those scores push people to the wealthiest neighborhoods and schools with very little diversity.
Yes, it’s true. Research has shown an extremely high correlation between standardized test scores and parent income. And because test scores are a major factor in the ratings you see on the popular school ranking websites, their ratings are not related to school quality, they are simply comparing which neighborhoods are more wealthy.
But SchoolSparrow is here to help. We’ve created our own rankings that factor in socioeconomic data, and as a result, our rankings illuminate great schools in urban areas, many of which have a vibrant diverse student body from many different backgrounds.
The SchoolSparrow Method
Here at SchoolSparrow, we’ve ranked the top schools in Miami’s suburbs by normalizing test scores for parent income. This means schools are ranked based on how they perform compared to their expected scores (which take parent income into account) rather than raw standardized test scores.
Our mission at SchoolSparrow is to empower families with an equitable school ranking system that meets your family’s priorities, instead of pushing families towards privileged schools in unaffordable areas. We believe a “good school” shouldn’t be based on how “rich” a neighborhood is or by straight test scores.
The schools you’ll find on this list are the top 6 best elementary schools in the suburbs of Miami that are often overlooked due to unfair low scores on other ranking systems. These schools should definitely be considered!
But without a doubt, the best way to determine if the school is the right fit is to tour the school.
Just for Reference
The test scores referenced below are the percentage of kids who meet or exceed state standards on the Reading/Language Arts (RLA) section of the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) standardized tests in Florida. And please note, sometimes the scores reported to the NCES are actually from the state assessments.
1. Ben Sheppard Elementary School – Hialeah, FL
Hialeah is a city located in Miami-Dade County with a population of 233,339 in the 2019 U.S. Census. It’s the sixth largest city in Florida and is located approximately 12 miles northwest of Miami.
Schools located in the Miami metropolitan area with similar parent income profiles score an average of 47.2 points, meaning 47% of students meet or exceed state standards on standardized tests.
Ben Sheppard Elementary School exceeds this expectation by 19% and earns a total of 56 points, making it one of the best schools in the Miami suburbs!
Greatschools rates Ben Sheppard Elementary 6/10, but this school deserves a higher score. SchoolSparrow awards Ben Sheppard an A- (9/10) for their stunning job at educating their students!
Moving to Hialeah? The median home value is $216,403. Look at this cute 2 bedroom townhouse currently listed at $220,000. It’s only 4 minutes away from school by car!
Address: 5700 W 24th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33016
Website: https://bensheppardelementary.org/
2. West Hialeah Gardens Elementary School – Hialeah, FL
Here’s another school located in Hialeah, but in a different neighborhood! This is also another school you might want to consider!
West Hialeah Gardens Elementary is another amazing school where students excel in their exams! For FL schools with similar parent income profiles earn an average of 49.5 points. That means 50% of students exceed or meet the state standards for standardized tests.
Nevertheless, students at West Hialeah Gardens Elementary exceed this average by 19%! Overall, they earned a total of 59 points!
Due to their achievements, SchoolSparrow awards West Hialeah Gardens an A- (9/10) while Greatschools unfairly grants them a 6/10.
Considering this school? The median home value is $348,253. Check out this nice 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse listed for $299,000. It’s located only 4 minutes away from school!
Address: 11990 NW 92nd Ave, Hialeah, FL 33018
Website: https://whges.org/
3. Redondo Elementary School – Homestead, FL
Homestead is a city within Miami-Dade County and a major agricultural area. It’s a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area and the second oldest in the county. Homestead is located roughly 35 miles southwest of Miami.
FL schools with similar parent income profiles score an average of 45.3 points, which means 45% meet or exceed state standards on standardized tests.
On the other hand, Redondo Elementary excels in that aspect with 52% of their students exceeding or meeting this expectation, which is 15% above the average rating at this parent income level.
Since the school is doing so well, SchoolSparrow awards Redondo Elementary with a rating of an B+ (9/10) while Greatschools only scores them a 6/10. Redondo Elementary is also trending an upwards 10.5% from their previous year, meaning their scores are only improving!
The median home price is $269,769. Check out this listing of a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhouse that’s located only 2 minutes away from school!
Address: 18480 SW 304th St, Homestead, FL 33030
Website: https://redondoelementary.org/
4. Sunland Park Academy – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area and is known for its beaches and boating canals. As of the 2019 U.S. Census, it has an estimated population of 182,437 and is a popular tourist destination. It’s located about 30 miles from Miami.
How do students do on test scores?
Well, Florida schools with similar parent income profiles score an average of 45.7 points, meaning 46% meet or exceed the state standards on standardized tests.
Nonetheless, students at Sunland Park Academy exceed this expectation by 14%, earning a total of 52 points!
For going above and beyond, SchoolSparrow ranks Sunland Park Academy with a rating of an B+ (9/10)! Meanwhile, Greatschools unfairly rates it a 6/10. Sunland Park Academy’s scores have also been improving, having a 15.4% upward trend!
The median home value in Fort Lauderdale is $220,372. Here’s a listing of a nice-looking house with 2 beds and 1 bathroom for $145,000. One real nice thing about this house is that it’s only 3 minutes away from Sunland Park Academy!
Address: 919 NW 13th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Website: https://www.browardschools.com/sunlandpark
5. J. C. Mitchell Elementary School – Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County and is known as one of the wealthiest cities in South Florida. It’s known for its golf courses, parks, and beaches. Boca Raton is nearly 45 miles from Miami.
J.C. Mitchell Elementary School earns a whooping score 30 out 40 for diversity — the second highest rating possible! That means this school has a pretty sweet mix of different cultures!
When it comes to standardized testing, J.C. Mitchell Elementary students excel in that area as well. Florida schools with similar parent income profiles score an average of 60.5 points, meaning around 61% of students meet or exceed the state standard.
At J.C. Mitchell Elementary, however, its students exceed this expectation by 6%! They actually score 64 points!
For their hard work and dedication, SchoolSparrow ranked it an B (8/10). Meanwhile, Greatschools gave it a 6/10 when it should be ranked higher! Mitchell is one of the best elementary schools in the Miami suburbs.
Enjoy playing golf and think this is the school for your kids? The median home price is $414,665. Look at this beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom homey house listed for $265,000.
Address: 2470 NW 5th Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Website: https://jcme.palmbeachschools.org/
6. Palmview Elementary School – Pompano Beach, FL
Pompano Beach is a city located in Broward County, just north of Fort Lauderdale. The city has been listed as one of the top real estate markets and is known for its beaches, marinas, and numerous wreck and dive sites. Pompano Beach is located approximately 36 miles from Miami.
Palmview Elementary earns a respectable diversity score of 20 out 40 — the third highest rating on our list!
But how do they do on standardized tests?
Well, students at Palmview Elementary excel at them! Florida schools with similar parent income profiles score an average of 46.1 points, meaning 46% of students meet or exceed the state standard.
Meanwhile, kids at Palmview Elementary exceed this expectation by 11%, earning a total of 51 points!
Due to their efforts, SchoolSparrow awards Palmview Elementary with a rating of an B (8/10) while Greatschools only scores them a 5/10. The school is also trending upwards 13.4% from their previous year, which means the students scores are only improving!
Enjoy the beach and think this is the place for you and your family? The median home value is $235,933. Check out this listing of a lovely 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house for $200,000. It’s located 5 minutes away from school by car!
Address: 2601 NE 1st Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
