Parents’ Guide to Considering Schools in Miami House Hunting
Miami offers a vibrant community filled with culture and diversity for families. As parents considering real estate in Miami, the quality of schools often takes center stage in the decision-making process. The Kern Team is here with decades of experience to help you navigate Miami’s educational landscape and offer insights for parents on what to look for in a school district. If your children aren’t yet school-aged, or even if school is just a spark of an idea of the future right now, it’s wise to consider schools early.
Evaluating the Quality of Schools
Understanding the unique characteristics of each school is paramount to making a decision about the best learning environment for your children to be in. Since the geographic boundaries determine public school enrollment for the most part, this becomes a key issue for parents in the market for a new home for their family. If your children aren’t yet school-aged, or even if they’re just a spark of an idea of the future right now, it’s wise to consider schools early.
One important aspect to point out, if you are from out-of-town, Miami-Dade County has a single school district – more than 500 schools serving more than 350,000 students. Miami-Dade operates so most students in a given school are from close proximity. Transfers to a different school are easier in Miami than in other parts of the country, where a student trying to transfer between districts might be relatively impossible. This creates a lot of competition for placement at in-demand schools like Sunset Elementary.
Reputation-wise, many think the public schools that feed into the more traditional Palmetto Senior High and Coral Reef Senior High are the best, but over the past few years some newer options, like the School for Advanced Studies (ranked as the #3 public high school in the nation) have cropped up. There are also many newer charter schools that have been finding great success, such as Archimedean Upper Conservatory Charter School as well as the long-standing magnet schools such as MAST and DASH.
If there is a specific school that looks like a good fit for your children, it’s important to look at the admissions process as it is different from magnet schools (where there is commonly less geographic components) and charter schools than the traditional neighborhood schools.
All of that being said, school ratings offer a good snapshot of what you should expect of the district and schools within it, but it’s a good idea to dig deeper. This is especially true if you have a child with specific educational needs. Look for schools that prioritize a well-rounded education, including arts, sports, and STEM programs. A holistic approach contributes to the overall development of your child.
Areas Known for Educational Excellence
We want to be clear that this is in no way a comprehensive list of desirable neighborhoods based on schools. We’ve just chosen three areas to highlight as being great for parents with education as a priority and for families in general.
Coral Gables has top-rated schools with a range of educational options both public and private. The neighborhood is family-friendly and offers a community with plenty of walkable places and green spaces. Characterized by barrel-tiles roofs, stucco exteriors, and arches, the Mediterranean Revival style you’ll find here imparts a timeless and picturesque quality to the neighborhood.
Pinecrest is also known for excellent schools as well as an emphasis on community involvement. The real estate in Pinecrest features a mix of architectural styles, including Mediterranean and contemporary designs. The neighborhood attracts affluent residents seeking a combination of large lots with mature trees and suburban tranquility.
On the north side of town, Aventura is known for its schools, parks, and family-friendly amenities, making it an attractive choice for parents. Aventura offers a mix of luxury condominiums, waterfront estates, and upscale apartments. In general, when looking at the quality of schools in any area consider the proximity of schools to as well as extracurricular activities your children are drawn to — you don’t want to be stuck in parent taxi mode rushing across the County at rush hour. Easy access to extracurricular activities, community programs, and educational excursions also go a long way to enhance your child’s learning experience. Inquire about the availability of tutoring services or learning centers for additional support. The Kern Team is here to help you navigate every aspect of your home search. Let’s meet and talk about your real estate goals.
