Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence, with a remarkable 21% of its schools earning the prestigious ‘School of Excellence’ designation for the 2024-2025 school year, according to a list released by the State Board of Education last week.
This achievement places M-DCPS at the forefront among large urban school districts in Florida, boasting the highest percentage of schools on the excellence list. The district’s success is particularly notable, as it more than doubles the percentage of the next largest district, underscoring its statewide leadership.
The ‘School of Excellence’ designation is mandated by Section 1003.631(1)(a) of the Florida Statutes. To qualify, a school must have earned a possible point total in its school grade calculation that falls within the 80th percentile or higher for comparable schools (elementary, middle, high, or combination) for at least two of the last three school years.
Schools highlighted across all levels
The list of designated schools—found in Attachment A of the district’s news alert—spans all grade levels. Among the elementary schools recognized are Palmetto Elementary School, Coral Reef Elementary School, and Sunset Elementary School. Middle schools achieving the designation include George Washington Carver Middle School and Herbert A Ammons Middle School.
High-performing high schools dominate the excellence list, with numerous specialized and advanced programs making the cut, such as School for Advanced Studies-Wolfson, TERRA Environmental Research Institute, and MAST Academy. Additionally, several K-8 and combination schools were honored, including RUTH K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center and Coral Gables Preparatory Academy.
District comparison
A comparative chart (Attachment B) highlights M-DCPS’s strong performance relative to other major Florida districts:
| County | Total Schools of Excellence | Percent Earning Schools of Excellence | |
| Miami-Dade | 157 | 21% | |
| Broward | 72 | 10% | |
| Orange | 67 | 9% | |
| Palm Beach | 49 | 7% | |
| Hillsborogh | 48 | 6% | |
| Duval | 23 | 3% 
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| Florida | 744 | 100% |
M-DCPS earned a total of 157 ‘School of Excellence’ designations, comprising 70 elementary, 22 middle, 29 high, and 36 combination schools
