U.S. News & World Report announced its annual list of America’s Best High Schools and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) was a leader both nationally and statewide. The district is home to five of the top 100 high schools in the country and had seven schools in Florida’s Top 20.
Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho was joined by School Board members, principals, teachers, and students in a news conference in late April to recognize the seven schools.
“This is proof again of the stellar performance of Miami-Dade County Public Schools,” said Carvalho. “Of the 75 districts in the third largest state in our nation, M-DCPS dominated, by far, the state’s top schools.”
The Magazine gathered data on more than 28,000 schools across the country. They then evaluated the more than 22,000 schools that proved eligible to be ranked using a four-step analysis based on performance on state-required tests, whether their least advantaged students – those of black, Hispanic and low-income backgrounds – performed at or better than the state average, a graduation rate of at least 75 percent, and participation in and performance on Advanced Placement.
“Once again, our students demonstrated that they are among the best in the state and the nation,” said Carvalho. “These rankings reflect the efforts of our students, teachers, and community in meeting both the challenges and opportunities of a 21st century education. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is renowned as a district where every child has access to the most advanced academic programs and technology.”
One local school, Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy, was ranked at Number 12 in the State of Florida and Number 88 in the nation.
“I have been a principal for 11 years and this is truly the most amazing recognition I have ever been a part of,” said Jose Marti principal Jose Enriquez.
He credits the combination of great teachers, supportive parents and talented students for the ongoing accomplishments of the school. U.S. World and News Report rankings are based on previous years calculations so Enriquez believes they are doing better now than ever before and will likely rank highly once again in the coming years.
The science-themed magnet school is still accepting applications for the upcoming school year. Students can expect hands-on learning and the choice to focus on life, natural or computer sciences for electives in addition to the rigorous advanced placement curriculum which includes a science lab along with every science class. Some ongoing projects at the school today include extracting orchid seeds and testing new environments to grow them, an expansion of a project introduced by Fairchild two years ago.
For the complete U.S. World and News Report ranking list visit,
www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/rankings-overview.