How are our schools doing?
At P.S. 305, we believe in creating clarity around all elements of the education system, including academic performance and system-level governance. Our goal is to make information about our schools and the people who run them easily accessible to all people in Miami. We hope this fosters honest dialogue as a community about our system of schools.
P.S. 305 Original Resources
P.S. 305's Guide to the MDCPS School Board is an overview of Miami-Dade's most important governing body when it comes to schools. School Boards make important decisions about every aspect of a school system--from what’s taught in classrooms to what’s served in the cafeteria, and collective bargaining agreements for teacher pay. Click the image below to download the full 4-page PDF. You'll find out who your school board representative is, what their responsibilities are, and how to contact them.
P.S. 305's Florida A-F School Grades Overview explains the 11 components by which schools are graded in Florida. One key takeaway is that schools are graded on a much less rigorous scale than students are, with only 62 percentage points needed to be designated as an 'A' school. Another highlight is that most of the components are related to standardized test results, including Florida's FSA exam. To download this resource in Spanish, click here.
With more than 400 schools in Miami-Dade, choosing the right one for your child can be daunting. It’s also one of the most critical decisions a parent can make. We're here to help. Choosing a School: A Guide for Families is designed to help families navigate the process of choosing a school for your child. We’ve highlighted free and accessible websites where you can do essential research, like Great Schools, Know Your Florida School, and our MDCPS School Quality Map, and we’ve provided a list of questions you can ask to uncover the facts you need. Don’t forget to schedule a tour of any school that stands out, letting the staff know that you’re a prospective parent. Our team is always here to help. If you need advice, support or guidance, don't hesitate to contact us. To download this resource in Spanish, click here.
Florida has several school options for families, including private, charter, and district-run models. Many of our parent and teacher leaders find it hard to understand the differences between these choices. P.S. 305 created the School Options One-Pager to help our community understand the different school governance styles available to students in Florida. To access this document in Spanish, simply click here.
Community Resources
GreatSchools.org provides information and ratings to help families nationally compare the performance of their schools and districts to other communities nationally. Click below to access what is essentially a Yelp review for Miami-Dade County Schools.
Across the country, there are public schools delivering incredible results for all students and proving what's possible. What are their secrets to success? While no two schools are alike, Innovate's World Class Schools Report outlines six school practices that drive their success that you can put to work right now in your own school community.
The new Know Your Florida School website allows families to search for their school and learn more about its academic performance. It breaks down the A-F score for each school and provides the name of the principal and other contact information. We recommend this tool for families who want to learn more about their child's school, as well as for families who are in the process of choosing a new school.
Visit the MDCPS Assessment, Research, and Data Analysis portal to learn more about academic achievement in Dade schools. This is a district-run department that monitors academic performance for schools across Dade County.
The Bush Center offers a State of Our Cities online tool which compare data from most major cities in the U.S. Compare Miami's performance to any other city in the country, and access basic information on academic outcomes, district trends, school finance, college and career pathways, school environments, early childhood, and more.
The Florida Department of Education offers the public access to data and information about all schools and districts in Florida. Use this resource to find information on instructional standards, assessments, adult education, exceptional student education, and more.
