How strong are the charter middle schools in Miami?
With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.
Mater Academy - East Middle School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Miami, rising from a C+ to a B, according to data from Niche.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 998 S.W. First St., enrolls 228 students. Niche graded the school a B+ for academics (on an A-D scale).
The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.
Academically, 68% of Mater Academy - East Middle School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 54% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 65% in math and 61% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 87% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 18% more than the city average.
It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Palm Glades Preparatory Academy saw its overall rating increase from a C to a C+. The school is located at 22655 S.W. 112nd Ave. and currently serves 325 students, of whom 67% identify as Hispanic and 27% identify as black.
Niche graded Palm Glades Preparatory Academy a C for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 26%, and reading proficiency was 34%. It also serves a less-affluent population, with 77% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Somerset Academy Bay Middle School also improved, from B+ to A-. The school is located at 9500 S.W. 97th Ave. and has 43 students currently enrolled, of whom 81% identify as Hispanic and 12% identify as white.
Niche graded Somerset Academy Bay Middle School an A for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 90%, and reading proficiency was 85%.
While some charter middle schools in Miami are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:
- Archimedean Middle Conservatory (AMC), with an overall rating of A.
- International Studies Charter Middle School, with an A- rating overall.
- Somerset Academy Charter Middle School, rated A- overall.
Want more of the latest intel on Miami schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public elementary schools.
This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.
