Our Neighborhoods: The Upper East Side

Business By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Thursday, October 6, 2022

      At the southern end of Northwest 59th Avenue in Miami Lakes, unique businesses on large campuses serve those working in education, the construction industry and job placement.

      The top-performing Miami Lakes Educational Center high school and its Technical College are a landmark. 

     Miami Lakes Educational Center is part of the Miami-Dade County School District and is a public magnet school. 

     Students may also apply for dual enrollment at Miami Dade College.  

     The high school has six career-themed academies which mix traditional academics and career-technical courses, such as certificates in health sciences which include dental assistant; emergency medical responder; medical assisting and pharmacy technician. Students can also learn information technology or trades such as air conditioning technician and automotive collision repair.   

     Other courses include culinary arts; television production; engineering and financial services. It serves approximately 1,200 students from the area, according to its website. 

     A branch of the EdFed Credit Union provides banking services to educators and school staffers.

     Also on the west side of Northwest 59th Avenue is Mason Vitamins, which includes its manufacturing arm Sentry and its second brand, Nutrients Best.  Mason and Nutrients Best are a variety of vitamins and health supplements sold in several forms. 

      Just past it is the large Caterpillar building, which shares space with On Time Staffing, a New Jersey-based employment firm that specializes in hiring people for industrial and warehouse positions. 

      Caterpillar, which makes heavy equipment and engines for construction, uses its Miami Lakes location to train service technicians for the oil and gas sectors, according to the company’s website. 

      Known as The Larson Station, the Caterpillar classroom offers hands-on training.