Best Florida public schools
Eight rankings of Florida's public schools from the latest NCES + state-assessment data. Unlike most school rankings, this list leads with BeatsExpectations: a demographics-adjusted score that asks how a school performs relative to what its student population would predict, not just in absolute terms.
Florida schools outperforming demographics
Top schools by BeatsExpectations score. Demographically-adjusted; a +20 here means the school posts 20 more proficiency points than its FRL profile predicts.| # | School | City | Beats by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MATER ACADEMY EAST PREPARATORY | MIAMI | +58.9pp |
| 2 | SOMERSET ACADEMY MIRAMAR SOUTH | MIRAMAR | +44.4pp |
| 3 | MATER PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY | HIALEAH GARDENS | +42.7pp |
| 4 | PINECREST ACADEMY (NORTH CAMPUS) | MIAMI | +42.6pp |
| 5 | SOMERSET ACADEMY SILVER PALMS | HOMESTEAD | +40.5pp |
| 6 | SOMERSET ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | HOMESTEAD | +40.3pp |
| 7 | MATER ACADEMY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL | MIAMI | +37.3pp |
| 8 | RENAISSANCE CHARTER SCHOOL AT WEST PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH | +35.9pp |
| 9 | LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL | NAPLES | +35.3pp |
| 10 | MATER ACADEMY KIWANIS | MIAMI | +34.8pp |
| 11 | SOMERSET ACADEMY EAST PREPARATORY | MIRAMAR | +34.1pp |
| 12 | SOMERSET ACADEMY SILVER PALMS AT PRINCETON | HOMESTEAD | +34.1pp |
| 13 | RENAISSANCE CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL AT PINES | PEMBROKE PINES | +33.7pp |
| 14 | MATER ACADEMY | HIALEAH GARDENS | +33.2pp |
| 15 | ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOL MIDDLE | MIAMI | +32.7pp |
Florida Title I schools beating the odds
High-poverty schools (60%+ FRL) ranking in the top quartile of their state's proficiency.| # | School | City | Proficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PINECREST ACADEMY (NORTH CAMPUS) | MIAMI | 91.0% |
| 2 | MATER PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY | HIALEAH GARDENS | 84.5% |
| 3 | SOMERSET ACADEMY MIDDLE (MIRAMAR CAMPUS) | MIRAMAR | 81.4% |
| 4 | RENAISSANCE CHARTER SCHOOL AT WEST PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH | 80.7% |
| 5 | SOMERSET ACADEMY ELEMENTARY (MIRAMAR CAMPUS) | MIRAMAR | 80.5% |
| 6 | PINECREST PREPARATORY ACADEMY | MIAMI | 80.5% |
| 7 | STEINHATCHEE SCHOOL | STEINHATCHEE | 80.3% |
| 8 | SOMERSET ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | HOMESTEAD | 79.9% |
| 9 | PINECREST ACADEMY (SOUTH CAMPUS) | MIAMI | 79.0% |
| 10 | MATER BRICKELL ACADEMY MIDDLE | MIAMI | 79.0% |
| 11 | SOMERSET ACADEMY | MIAMI | 78.7% |
| 12 | SOMERSET ACADEMY SILVER PALMS | HOMESTEAD | 78.7% |
| 13 | MATER ACADEMY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL | MIAMI | 76.3% |
| 14 | INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | MIAMI | 75.9% |
| 15 | MATER BRICKELL ACADEMY HIGH | MIAMI | 74.5% |
Florida schools by raw proficiency
The traditional ranking: highest combined math + reading proficiency on the state assessment.| # | School | City | Proficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DORAL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY | DORAL | 99.8% |
| 2 | PINE VIEW SCHOOL | OSPREY | 99.4% |
| 3 | SOMERSET ACADEMY MIRAMAR SOUTH | MIRAMAR | 99.0% |
| 4 | ORLANDO GIFTED ACADEMY | ORLANDO | 98.1% |
| 5 | OKALOOSA STEMM CENTER | VALPARAISO | 97.8% |
| 6 | A.D. HENDERSON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL & FAU HIGH SCHOOL | BOCA RATON | 97.4% |
| 7 | MAST@FIU | NORTH MIAMI | 97.3% |
| 8 | JACKSONVILLE BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE BEACH | 96.8% |
| 9 | WEST SHORE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | MELBOURNE | 96.5% |
| 10 | TERRA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | MIAMI | 95.7% |
| 11 | EDGEWOOD JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL | MERRITT ISLAND | 94.8% |
| 12 | MAGNET INNOVATION CENTER | INLET BEACH | 94.8% |
| 13 | STANTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY | JACKSONVILLE | 94.5% |
| 14 | BAK MIDDLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | WEST PALM BEACH | 94.3% |
| 15 | NORTHWEST FLORIDA BALLET ACADEMIE | FORT WALTON BEACH | 94.3% |
Florida schools with the lowest student-teacher ratios
Schools with 200+ students reporting the fewest students per teacher. Excludes virtual.| # | School | City | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OAK PARK SCHOOL | SARASOTA | 4.7:1 |
| 2 | LAKE HILLS SCHOOL | HOWEY IN THE HILLS | 5.4:1 |
| 3 | ROYAL PALM SCHOOL | LANTANA | 5.9:1 |
| 4 | OAK HILL ACADEMY | JACKSONVILLE | 7.4:1 |
| 5 | PALM BEACH SCHOOL FOR AUTISM | LAKE WORTH FL | 7.9:1 |
| 6 | DALE CASSENS EDUCATION COMPLEX | FORT PIERCE | 8.7:1 |
| 7 | POSITIVE PATHWAYS TRANSITION CENTER | ORLANDO | 8.8:1 |
| 8 | FLORIDA SCHOLARS ACADEMY | TALLAHASSEE | 9.6:1 |
| 9 | LEALMAN INNOVATION ACADEMY | ST PETERSBURG | 9.6:1 |
| 10 | R. C. BANNERMAN LEARNING CENTER | GREEN COVE SPRINGS | 9.6:1 |
| 11 | REAL ACADEMY (REACHING EVERY ADOLESCENT LEARNER) | LAKELAND | 9.8:1 |
| 12 | WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) | DEFUNIAK SPRINGS | 9.8:1 |
| 13 | PEPIN ACADEMIES OF PASCO COUNTY | NEW PORT RICHEY | 10.0:1 |
| 14 | THE SEED SCHOOL OF MIAMI | MIAMI | 10.1:1 |
| 15 | ZENITH ACCELERATED ACADEMY | KISSIMMEE | 10.1:1 |
Fastest-growing Florida public schools, 2017-2024
Schools open in both years with 200+ enrollment in 2017, ranked by % change.| # | School | City | Enrollment Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | BONITA SPRINGS | +542% |
| 2 | TRUE NORTH CLASSICAL ACADEMY | MIAMI | +352% |
| 3 | FLORIDA CYBER CHARTER ACADEMY | JACKSONVILLE | +325% |
| 4 | OSCEOLA SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL | KISSIMMEE | +323% |
| 5 | PINECREST GLADES PREPARATORY ACADEMY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL | MIAMI | +263% |
| 6 | MATER PALMS ACADEMY | HIALEAH GARDENS | +245% |
| 7 | RENAISSANCE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES | KISSIMMEE | +215% |
| 8 | LEE COUNTY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE | FORT MYERS | +212% |
| 9 | GATEWAY CHARTER SCHOOL | FORT MYERS | +203% |
| 10 | BELL CREEK ACADEMY | RIVERVIEW | +188% |
| 11 | ST JOHNS CLASSICAL ACADEMY | FLEMING ISLAND | +179% |
| 12 | RUTLEDGE H. PEARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE | +172% |
| 13 | OKALOOSA ONLINE NON FRANCHISED | CRESTVIEW | +167% |
| 14 | DR CARTER G WOODSON K-8 SCHOOL | TAMPA | +166% |
| 15 | PINECREST LAKES ACADEMY | MINNEOLA | +162% |
Most racially diverse Florida public schools
Schools ranked by how balanced their student body is. The largest single racial group's share of enrollment, lowest first.| # | School | City | Max group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TAMPA PALMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | TAMPA | 25.7% Asian (175) |
| 2 | TURNER-BARTELS K-8 SCHOOL | TAMPA | 27.8% Hispanic (366) |
| 3 | SANFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL | SANFORD | 27.9% Asian (386) |
| 4 | SEMINOLE HIGH SCHOOL | SANFORD | 27.9% Hispanic (1,061) |
| 5 | ORLANDO SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL K-8 | ORLANDO | 28.6% Asian (179) |
| 6 | CHILES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | TAMPA | 29.0% White (228) |
| 7 | BENITO MIDDLE SCHOOL | TAMPA | 29.5% White (266) |
| 8 | SUNCOAST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL | RIVIERA BEACH | 29.7% White (452) |
| 9 | LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL | TAMPA | 30.2% Hispanic (235) |
| 10 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | TAMPA | 30.6% White (156) |
| 11 | MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS ELEM | PINELLAS PARK | 30.7% White (133) |
| 12 | DR KIRAN C PATEL HIGH SCHOOL | TAMPA | 30.8% White (197) |
| 13 | WOLF LAKE ELEMENTARY | APOPKA | 31.0% Hispanic (220) |
| 14 | EUSTIS HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EUSTIS | 31.0% Hispanic (212) |
| 15 | DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER K-8 | PALM BEACH GARDENS | 31.1% White (176) |
Largest Florida public schools
Brick-and-mortar schools ranked by total enrollment. Virtual schools excluded.| # | School | City | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CYPRESS BAY HIGH SCHOOL | WESTON | 4,579 |
| 2 | JOHN A. FERGUSON SENIOR HIGH | MIAMI | 4,291 |
| 3 | VILLAGES CHARTER SCHOOL | THE VILLAGES | 4,062 |
| 4 | SEMINOLE HIGH SCHOOL | SANFORD | 3,807 |
| 5 | JULE F SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL | RIVERVIEW | 3,602 |
| 6 | WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL | DAVIE | 3,510 |
| 7 | APOPKA HIGH | APOPKA | 3,446 |
| 8 | CORAL REEF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | MIAMI | 3,399 |
| 9 | TIMBER CREEK HIGH | ORLANDO | 3,383 |
| 10 | SOUTH DADE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | HOMESTEAD | 3,382 |
| 11 | WINTER PARK HIGH | WINTER PARK | 3,277 |
| 12 | JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL | GREENACRES | 3,262 |
| 13 | COLONIAL HIGH | ORLANDO | 3,239 |
| 14 | WINDERMERE HIGH | WINDERMERE | 3,217 |
| 15 | GATEWAY CHARTER SCHOOL | FORT MYERS | 3,192 |
Florida schools underperforming demographics
Bottom 10% within state by BeatsExpectations. Not a verdict, a starting question. A school may be in leadership transition or recovering from a demographic shift.| # | School | City | Beats by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE COLLABORATORY PREPARATORY ACADEMY | TAMPA | -48.8pp |
| 2 | CHAMPIONSHIP ACADEMY OF DISTINCTION AT HOLLYWOOD | HOLLYWOOD | -47.5pp |
| 3 | SUNSHINE ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL | HOLLYWOOD | -45.0pp |
| 4 | SOMERSET ACADEMY KEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | MIAMI | -44.1pp |
| 5 | WOODMONT CHARTER SCHOOL | TEMPLE TERRACE | -42.0pp |
| 6 | BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY OF TAMPA | TAMPA | -41.8pp |
| 7 | BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY INTERAMERICAN CAMPUS | MIAMI | -41.1pp |
| 8 | KIPP MIAMI-LIBERTY CITY | MIAMI | -37.4pp |
| 9 | ST. AUGUSTINE PUBLIC MONTESSORI SCHOOL | ST AUGUSTINE | -36.9pp |
| 10 | NEW LIFE CHARTER ACADEMY | FORT LAUDERDALE | -35.4pp |
| 11 | LITERACY/LEADERSHIP/TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY | TAMPA | -35.2pp |
| 12 | DOWNTOWN MIAMI CHARTER SCHOOL | MIAMI | -35.0pp |
| 13 | SOMERSET ACADEMY KEY MIDDLE SCHOOL | MIAMI | -35.0pp |
| 14 | EAGLES NEST CHARTER ACADEMY | LAUDERHILL | -33.9pp |
| 15 | OLYMPUS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY | BOCA RATON | -33.9pp |
About these rankings
These tables use the most recent NCES Common Core of Data (2024-25) for enrollment, demographics, and staffing, and state-native assessment data (typically 2023-24 or 2024-25) for proficiency. BeatsExpectations is computed via per-state ordinary-least-squares regression of composite proficiency on free-and-reduced-lunch share. Full methodology.
License: CC-BY 4.0. Reproduce these rankings anywhere with attribution to allk12.com. Press contact: [email protected].