public elementary and middle in Miami? (Weston, Coral Gables: neighborhoods, middle schools, living)

[DGK]

I am looking into public schools for my girls (elementary and middle) for next year, when we move to Miami. Not sure exactly where we will be living. It all depends where the good public schools are. We were told that Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay or Coral Gables are good neighborhoods. We heard that Weston is also good although driving to work (Blue Lagoon, just south of MIA) will be a little too long. The matter of the fact is that schools are our priority.
Any suggestions?

[straight shooter]

If schools are a priority than look into Weston or Cooper City. Broward has better public schools than Dade. Dade county in general has poor public schools mainly with middle schools and high schools. The best ones will be found in Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay. Coral Gables is misleading in that it is a good area but the public schools aren't that great.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

If schools are a priority than look into Weston or Cooper City. Broward has better public schools than Dade. Dade county in general has poor public schools mainly with middle schools and high schools. The best ones will be found in Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay. Coral Gables is misleading in that it is a good area but the public schools aren't that great.

Broward is probably better all around but their the areas you initially mentioned are good as well a lot people suggest Broward but it is not always convenient.

[MiamiResident]

All public schools are good. Avoid charter schools.

[ace587]

Originally Posted by MiamiResident

All public schools are good. Avoid charter schools.

whats wrong with charter schools? The one in my area is an A school

[bale002]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

... Dade County in general has poor public schools mainly with middle schools and high schools. The best ones will be found in Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay. Coral Gables is misleading in that it is a good area but the public schools aren't that great.

I agree with this. Two of the three public elementary schools in Coral Gables are suspect; the best one is Sunset. However, Coral Gables has a "controlled choice" system: assuming you live in Coral Gables, you list your preferences among the three, but there is no guarantee that the child will enter into the first preference on your the list.

As for middle schools, I have heard good things about George Washington Carver and not so good things about Ponce de Leon.

Your best bet is Pinecrest where there are two public elementary schools, both of which are good. Not sure about the middle/high school.

As mentioned, there are also good public schools further south in Palmetto Bay and also, I believe, a bit further west, west of US1 and east of around 87th Ave, between around 112th St and 136th St (unincorporated area).

I wouldn't make any blanket statements about the difference between traditional public and charter schools (public schools run by a private management company through a charter, i.e. a contract agreement), it can be a bit complicated, so take it on a case-by-case basis. Call and visit schools if you have to.

Good Luck!

[elliotts]

Hi for a very thorough look at schools I always recommend GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community. It gives you great depth about grades per subject, and how many students are in the school. This is great information for student to teacher ratio and what are the strong subjects for the school. The school grade is based mainly off scores, and for the most part good grades equal good students. I said for 'the most part'.

[ThomasMatthews]

Palmetto High it's by far the best high school in all Dade County, and it has an special admission program for foreign students.

[Sun&Peace]

Aventura and Sunny Isles have great Elementary -Middle ( K-8) schools , as well as Weston. It is also great place to leave, very family like Good luck. I have 2 kids myself and they attend Sunny Isles K-8 and we are very happy here.