There’s no scarcity of schools in Miami from preschool up through the university level. Miami-Dade County has been recognized for some of its superior schools and in the past decade, graduation rates and test scores have gone up. Magnet and International Baccalaureate (IB) schools are not uncommon starting at the elementary school level and many high schools in the county offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses that can lead to college credit.
Private and religious schools are also available for families seeking this type of personalized education. Catholic and Jewish schools are among the most common religious schools in the city. On the college level, there are a variety of options ranging from the well-known Miami Dade College, which has multiple campuses throughout the city, to the University of Miami, a prestigious private university that attracts applicants from around the world.
The Miami-Dade Public School System (MDPSS) has jurisdiction over hundreds of local schools ranging from elementary, middle, and high school to vocational, magnet, and special education centers. This chapter is organized by age progression, so preschool and child care will come first and higher education will follow. Trade schools are also an option in the city, and this will be covered after higher education.