Top Miami-Dade Schools: Get an A!

When buying a home, one of the most serious considerations for any family is what schools in the area are the best for their children. Taking a look around Miami-Dade, it’s hard not to be impressed with public school choices like Design and Architecture Senior High – the #20 high school in US News and World Reports high school rankings. Likewise, Miami boasts International Studies Charter High School, Young Women’s preparatory Academy, MAST Academy and many others that can help you to make your choice of house and neighborhood. A lot of attention is paid to high schools and preparing young people for careers and degrees, but what about preparing them for high school?

Out of over 400 schools in the district, you’ll find the 168 listed at the end of the article are the ones with “A” ratings from the state of Florida as reported by WPLG along with science achievements and math scores. There is certain to be something in a neighborhood that suits your tastes, lifestyle and your budget. More importantly, you need to consider your child’s learning style and work up a set of criteria in order to pick a school that will fit them and their needs.

Choosing a School for Your Child:

• Ask about the teachers and their training – do they attend training over the summer and during the school year? Are new teachers mentored by senior teachers?
• Kids need recess – even middle and high school kids should have a free period. They are not cogs in math-and-reading score factories, and steer clear of schools where kids have nowhere to play or to participate in PE or other enrichment activities.
• High test scores do not necessarily mean a good school. It can indicate that teachers are only teaching to the test.
• Just because it says “Charter” or “Magnet” doesn’t mean it’s a better school.
• Interview the pre-k teachers. Your young child is accustomed to being around loving and engaged people. What’s going to happen when you stick them with a drill sergeant or someone too busy on Facebook to engage and stimulate the class to learn?
• Is there an active PTA and how is information communicated from teachers and administration to parents?
• Is there an anti-bullying program?
• Ask for copies of the code of conduct. Conflicts can arise from discriminatory rules about dress and appearance.
• What extracurricular activities are offered aside from sports? Will your older child be able to choose electives that they are interested in?

The best way to get to know the schools is to get to know the neighborhood beforehand, if you can. Talk to other parents in person, or even on forums and other social media. They can give you a real insider’s look at the pedagogy, the teachers and administration, and even the school lunches. As for charter and magnet schools, these institutions have an application process, much like private schools, that has to be completed before your child can attend.

The deadline has passed for this year’s charter school applications, and is closing in for magnet applications. You do not have to live in the neighborhood in order to attend a charter or magnet, but as much as long commutes are stressful for adults, they can be just as bad for kids. While – for example – Downtown Miami might not be your first pick for a neighborhood, if your teen is admitted to DASH, you’re going to have to consider a move or a commute and the pros and cons of both.