School Guide
Welcome to our comprehensive Miami-Dade County School Guide, your go-to resource for navigating the diverse educational landscape in our community. Whether you're a parent seeking the perfect school for your child or a newcomer looking to familiarize yourself with the local educational choices, this section provides a detailed overview of schools in the Miami area. From public and private institutions to specialized programs like VPK and daycares, discover the wide array of options available. This page offers essential information, including school types, admission details, and useful links. Empower your educational decisions with our school guide, designed to simplify your search and help you make informed choices for your family's future.
Private Schools
Non-Denominational Schools:
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated with any specific religious group; focuses on a secular educational approach.
- Curriculum: Follows a standard national or international curriculum with flexibility to design their own.
- Funding: Relies on tuition fees and private donations, not government funding.
- Admissions: Policies vary, often based on academic criteria, interviews, and assessments.
Religious Catholic Schools:
- Religious Affiliation: Affiliated with the Catholic Church; includes religious studies as part of the core curriculum.
- Curriculum: Incorporates religious teachings along with standard academic subjects.
- Funding: Funded through tuition fees, donations from the local diocese, and fundraising efforts.
- Admissions: Often prioritizes students from Catholic families; considers academic performance, interviews, and recommendations.
Important Information: The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) provides scholarships for students (including private school students). The scholarships are worth an average of $7,800 and can be used for tuition and other related expenses, such as books, testing, and registration. The FTP is available to all FL residents, enrolling in K-12 grades and there is no income limit to receive. More information: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ftc/
Public Schools
Neighborhood School:
- Funding: Publicly funded by government sources, primarily through local property taxes and state funding.
- Curriculum: Follows a standardized curriculum set by state education authorities; offers a broad range of subjects and extracurricular activities.
- Admissions: Open to all students residing within specific district boundaries; admission based on residency without discrimination.
Magnet Schools:
- Specialization: Have specialized programs/themes such as arts, science, technology; offer in-depth education in those areas.
- Admissions: Competitive application process based on talent, skills, interests, or academic achievements related to the school's theme. he Magnet Application cycle for the 2024-25 school year will open on October 1st 2023, and close on January 15, 2024 via https://yourchoicemiami.org/magnet-application/
- Funding: Receive public funding and are part of the public school system. (Edgewater is home to iPrep Academy, recognized as one of the top Magnet Schools in the state.)
Charter Schools:
- Management: Independently managed but publicly funded; operate under a charter with a sponsoring entity.
- Curriculum: Have flexibility in designing curriculum and teaching methods; often emphasize innovative or specialized approaches.
- Admissions: Open to all students; if demand exceeds capacity, admission can be determined by lottery or other random selection methods determined by each school.
- Funding: Receive public funding but may seek additional private funding or grants.
Other:
- Miami-Dade County offers diverse educational pathways to students through its Cambridge Programs, International Baccalaureate Programs (IB), and Career Academics Programs.
https://www3.dadeschools.net/SchoolInformation/home
Under 4 Years Old Options
Daycares:
- Age Group: Typically accommodate infants to preschool-aged children, providing early childhood education, playtime, and basic socialization skills.
- Services: Offer a safe and nurturing environment, engaging activities, and often follow a structured daily routine.
- Admissions: Contact the daycare centers directly for accurate information. There are several excellent private daycare options in the Edgewater area.
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Programs:
- Age Group: VPK programs are designed for four-year-old children to prepare them for kindergarten.
- Services: Offer high-quality early childhood education, focusing on essential skills like pre-reading, pre-math, social skills, and more.
- Admissions: Open to all Florida four-year-olds, regardless of family income. Parents need to apply online through the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe's VPK portal.