Local Schools Near Legion Park, Miami, 33138

Legion Park is a community area in Miami, FL, within the ZIP code 33138, which falls in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Miami. This area is near Biscayne Boulevard and includes parts of the MiMo Historic District. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near Legion Park, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the latest information directly with the schools or the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) district.

I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable proximity (approximately 1-3 miles) to Legion Park, as this is a typical range for local community schools. If you’re looking for schools further out or have specific needs (e.g., special programs), let me know!

Public Schools Near Legion Park (ZIP 33138)

Public schools in this area are managed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the U.S. Below are some of the closest public schools, along with their ratings and key details. Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org (on a scale of 1-10) as of the latest available data, supplemented by Florida’s school grading system (A-F) where applicable.

1. Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School

   • Address: 1801 NW 60th St, Miami, FL 33142 (approx. 2 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Public Elementary (Grades PK-5)
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org); Florida Grade: C (based on recent state assessments)
   • Details: This school serves a diverse student population with a focus on foundational education. It has faced challenges with test scores below the district average, but it offers programs like after-school care. Enrollment is around 300-400 students.
   • Distance: Close to the western edge of the Upper East Side, accessible via major roads.

2. Morningside K-8 Academy

   • Address: 6620 NE 5th Ave, Miami, FL 33138 (approx. 1 mile from Legion Park)
   • Type: Public Elementary/Middle (Grades PK-8)
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org); Florida Grade: B
   • Details: Located directly in the 33138 ZIP code, this school is one of the closer options to Legion Park. It serves around 500 students and offers a K-8 curriculum, which can be convenient for families wanting continuity. Test scores are near or slightly above district averages in some areas.
   • Distance: Very close, within the Upper East Side neighborhood.

3. Miami Edison Senior High School

   • Address: 6161 NW 5th Ct, Miami, FL 33127 (approx. 2.5 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Public High School (Grades 9-12)
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org); Florida Grade: C
   • Details: This historic high school serves a large student body (around 800-1,000 students) and offers various programs, including career academies. However, it struggles with graduation rates and test scores below state averages.
   • Distance: A bit further south, near Little Haiti, but still accessible.

4. iPrep Academy (Magnet School)

   • Address: 1500 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132 (approx. 3 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Public Magnet (Grades PK-12)
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org); Florida Grade: A
   • Details: This highly rated magnet school focuses on innovative learning and technology. It’s selective, requiring an application, and serves students across a wide grade range. It’s a top choice for families in the area seeking advanced academics.
   • Distance: Slightly further south, near downtown Miami, but still within reach.

   Private Schools Near Legion Park (ZIP 33138)

   Private schools offer alternative options for families seeking smaller class sizes, religious education, or specialized curricula. Below are some notable private schools near Legion Park.

5. Cushman School

   • Address: 592 NE 60th St, Miami, FL 33137 (approx. 1.5 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Private (Grades PK-12)
   • Rating: Highly regarded, often rated 4.5/5 on platforms like Niche based on parent reviews and academic outcomes.
   • Details: A prestigious independent school with a focus on personalized education and strong college placement. Tuition is significant (around $20,000-$40,000/year depending on grade level). Enrollment is around 500-600 students.
   • Distance: Very close, just south of Legion Park in the Upper East Side.

6. Miami Country Day School

   • Address: 601 NE 107th St, Miami, FL 33161 (approx. 3 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Private (Grades PK-12)
   • Rating: Excellent, often 4.8/5 on Niche; known for strong academics and extracurriculars.
   • Details: One of the top private schools in Miami-Dade, offering a rigorous curriculum, arts, and athletics. Tuition is in the range of $30,000-$45,000/year. Enrollment is around 1,200 students.
   • Distance: A bit north of Legion Park, near North Miami.

7. St. Mary’s Cathedral School

   • Address: 7485 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33150 (approx. 2 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Private Catholic (Grades PK-8)
   • Rating: Generally positive reviews (around 4/5 on parent feedback platforms).
   • Details: A faith-based school with a focus on Catholic values and academics. Tuition is more affordable than larger private schools (approx. $8,000-$12,000/year). Enrollment is smaller, around 200-300 students.
   • Distance: Nearby, in the Little Haiti area.

   Charter Schools Near Legion Park

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with specialized programs. Here are a couple of options:

8. Mater Academy East Charter School

   • Address: 450 SW 4th St, Miami, FL 33130 (approx. 3 miles from Legion Park)
   • Type: Charter (Grades K-5)
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); Florida Grade: B
   • Details: Part of the Mater Academy network, this school emphasizes bilingual education and has solid test scores compared to nearby traditional public schools.
   • Distance: South of Legion Park, closer to downtown.

9. Archimedean Academy (Magnet/Charter Hybrid)

   • Address: 12425 SW 72nd St, Miami, FL 33183 (further out, but notable for quality)
   • Type: Charter (Grades K-5)
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org); Florida Grade: A
   • Details: Known for its Greek language immersion and strong academics, though it’s further from Legion Park. It’s an option for families willing to commute.
   • Distance: Outside the immediate area, southwest of central Miami.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: GreatSchools.org ratings (1-10) are based on test scores, equity, and student progress, but they may not reflect the full picture of a school’s environment or fit for your child. Florida’s A-F grades are based on state assessments and other metrics like graduation rates.
   • School Boundaries: Public school assignments depend on zoning. You can check specific school assignments for an address using the M-DCPS School Locator tool (available on their website: dadeschools.net).
   • Magnet and Charter Options: Miami-Dade has many magnet and charter schools with specialized programs (e.g., arts, STEM). These often require applications or lotteries, so plan ahead.
   • Parent Reviews: Websites like Niche or GreatSchools include parent feedback, which can provide insight beyond numerical ratings.

   Summary of Closest Schools to Legion Park

   • Elementary: Morningside K-8 Academy (1 mile, 5/10), Phyllis Wheatley Elementary (2 miles, 3/10)
   • Middle: Morningside K-8 Academy (1 mile, 5/10)
   • High: Miami Edison Senior High (2.5 miles, 3/10), iPrep Academy (3 miles, 9/10)
   • Private: Cushman School (1.5 miles, highly rated), St. Mary’s Cathedral School (2 miles, well-regarded)

   If you have a specific address in the Legion Park area, I can help narrow down the zoned public schools further. Additionally, if you’re interested in specific programs (e.g., Montessori, IB