Is there such thing as an excellent public school in Miami in an amazing area? What are charter schools? (University: crime)

[lesli713]

Hi Everyone!
Our family is being transferred to Miami from Dallas, Texas. Our neighborhood in Dallas was a predominately Jewish area (although we are not Jewish), VERY conservative and a wonderful safe bubble.
I read Miami is the 2nd worst place to raise children & obviously very worried.
The private schools I was looking at were about $25k a year, we didn't want a religious school, & can't afford that for 2 children.

What area/neighborhood is extremely safe to where my kids can just go out and ride bikes and not worry about anything?
Is there such thing as that in Miami?
I don't understand the "charter" school concept. Is that lottery-based?
**There is an excellent top notch public school in that city? Or is that never heard of?
What are your recommendations?
Thank you!

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by lesli713

Hi Everyone!
Our family is being transferred to Miami from Dallas, Texas. Our neighborhood in Dallas was a predominately Jewish area (although we are not Jewish), VERY conservative and a wonderful safe bubble.
I read Miami is the 2nd worst place to raise children & obviously very worried.
The private schools I was looking at were about $25k a year, we didn't want a religious school, & can't afford that for 2 children.

What area/neighborhood is extremely safe to where my kids can just go out and ride bikes and not worry about anything?
Is there such thing as that in Miami?
I don't understand the "charter" school concept. Is that lottery-based?
**There is an excellent top notch public school in that city? Or is that never heard of?
What are your recommendations?
Thank you!

I wouldn't read much into the "2nd Worst Place To Raise a Child" article.
My theory is whoever wrote that article was at least somewhat racist, as Miami is the largest city in the US with a Hispanic majority population. Crime can be bad like most major cities, but it's restricted to pockets of the city you'll be hard pressed to ever find yourself being in/near. The southside is most likely the area you'll want to focus on. There are some excellent traditional public schools (versus charter) that your children can attend that are close to home. Charter Schools can be difficult to obtain entry to and most are on waitlist. I'd recommend focusing on Pinecrest, and specifically within the Palmetto High School school boundaries which can be obtained from the Dade County Public Schools website. Palmetto has consistently been
ranked among the best in Florida and the nation, and offers a balanced blend of academics as well as extracurriculars like a competitive athletics program, marching band and clubs/social organizations. The elementary and middle schools that feed into Palmetto are of equal excellence.

Good luck!

Palmetto Sr. High School (http://mpsh.dadeschools.net/overview.htm - broken link)

[daytonadewd]

Totally agree with above post -- Pinecrest 33156 area is known for it's schools and is similar to the area you are from in Dallas.

West Lab is a public elementary school that is the teaching lab for the University of Miami and has a waiting list.

Charter Schools usually have a specific focus on learning: arts, sciences, method.

Magnet Schools are public, but are similar to Charter Schools in that they have an academic focus or method and cater to students strictly interested in immersion on this focus.

As all the schools mentioned will be very competitive, be sure to budget for trip expenses, special uniforms and special tutoring/prep services -- each year for each child.

Also, most of the kids at Palmetto High School drive BMW's or Alfa Romeos and go snow skiing/boarding during the Summer in the Andes and their parents are often mentioned in Vanity Fair and The Economist.