M-D Public Schools earn highest school grades

Education Monday, July 17, 2017

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) students, teachers, schools and programs wrapped up the 2016-2017 school year with an impressive array of honors and achievements. 
For the first time since the State began issuing school performance grades in 1999, there is not a single district-managed “F” school in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, according to school performance grades released by the Florida Department of Education.

“Today’s historic announcement is a testament to the transformational and collaborative work of students, teachers, employees, parents, and community stakeholders as well as the visionary leadership of our School Board,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. 
“The impossible has become the inevitable. For the first time since 1999, a span of nearly two decades, our school district and community celebrate an astonishing achievement – zero ‘F’ rated traditional public schools in Miami-Dade County and the elimination of failure for our students.”  

District 4 schools in the Miami Lakes area that achieved “A” grades were Miami Lakes K-8 Center, Hialeah Gardens Elementary School, Bob Graham Education Center, Miami Lakes Middle School, and Miami Lakes Educational Center. Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School, and Barbara Goleman Senior High School earned “B” grades. Neighboring school Mater Lakes Academy earned an “A” grade as well. There were no “D” or “F” schools in District 4. School grade increases were at 32 percent, 12 percent decreased a letter grade, and 56 percent maintained the same letter grade. 

“District 4 schools continue to demonstrate consistent, strong performance as noted by today’s report,” said School Board member Perla Tabares Hantman. “ I congratulate all the teachers, students, parents and principals for their hard work. I am very proud to represent District 4 schools.” 

Additionally MDCPS achieved a record-breaking graduation rate, is home to seven of the top 100 high schools in the country, and half of the schools in Florida’s Top 20 as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. 

The county also had a record number of associate degrees earned by high school graduates, and received more Distinguished and Model designations from the National Academy Foundation than any other school in the nation. 

Lastly, for the sixth straight year, the school district earned more Magnet of America Merit Awards than any other school district in the nation, totaling to 42 awards. For a full list of achievements visit http://pdfs.dadeschools.net/featured/top_35.pdf.