The community of Montego Club in Bay Harbor Islands, FL (ZIP code 33154), is located in Miami-Dade County. Bay Harbor Islands is a small, affluent town near Miami Beach, known for its family-friendly environment and proximity to excellent schools. Below, I’ll provide information on available schools near this community, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Note that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a personal assessment.
Public Schools Near Montego Club, Bay Harbor Islands, FL (33154)
Public schools in this area are part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) district, one of the largest school districts in the United States. The schools listed below are assigned based on zoning for the 33154 ZIP code, though boundaries can shift, and parents should confirm zoning with MDCPS (www.dadeschools.net or 305-995-1000). I’ve included schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5 miles) of Bay Harbor Islands.
Elementary Schools
- Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center
- Address: 1155 93rd St, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
- Distance: Approximately 0.5 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: PK-8 (serves as both elementary and middle school)
- Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida Department of Education (based on 2022-2023 data)
- Details: This is the primary public school serving Bay Harbor Islands. It is highly regarded for its academic performance, diverse programs, and strong community involvement. The school offers a gifted program and has a focus on STEM education. Student-teacher ratio is approximately 16:1.
- Enrollment: Around 1,300 students
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Parent Reviews: Often praised for its dedicated teachers and safe environment.
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Biscayne Elementary School
- Address: 800 77th St, Miami Beach, FL 33141
- Distance: Approximately 2 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: PK-5
- Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org); B-rated by Florida Department of Education
- Details: Located in nearby North Beach, this school serves a diverse student population and offers programs like dual language (Spanish/English). Student-teacher ratio is about 15:1.
- Enrollment: Around 600 students
- Parent Reviews: Mixed reviews, with some noting improvements in leadership and curriculum.
Middle Schools
- Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center (as mentioned above)
- Covers middle school grades (6-8) for Bay Harbor Islands residents.
- See details under Elementary Schools.
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Nautilus Middle School
- Address: 4301 N Michigan Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
- Distance: Approximately 4 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: 6-8
- Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org); B-rated by Florida Department of Education
- Details: Serves students from nearby Miami Beach areas. Offers various electives and extracurriculars, including arts and sports. Student-teacher ratio is around 20:1.
- Enrollment: About 1,000 students
- Parent Reviews: Some concerns about class sizes, but noted for its extracurricular offerings.
High Schools
- Miami Beach Senior High School
- Address: 2231 Prairie Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
- Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: 9-12
- Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org); B-rated by Florida Department of Education
- Details: The zoned high school for Bay Harbor Islands students. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and career academies. Student-teacher ratio is about 22:1.
- Enrollment: Around 2,300 students
- Parent Reviews: Known for its diversity and strong arts programs, though some mention challenges with overcrowding.
Private Schools Near Montego Club, Bay Harbor Islands, FL (33154)
Bay Harbor Islands and surrounding areas, including Miami Beach and Surfside, have several private schools offering alternative educational options. These schools often have smaller class sizes and specialized curricula but come with tuition costs.
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Lehrman Community Day School
- Address: 727 Lehrman Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33141
- Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: PK-5
- Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org; highly regarded in local community (Niche.com gives it strong reviews)
- Details: A Jewish day school focusing on both secular and Judaic studies. Known for its nurturing environment and individualized attention. Tuition is approximately $15,000-$20,000 per year.
- Enrollment: Around 300 students
- Parent Reviews: Praised for its community feel and academic rigor.
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St. Patrick Catholic School
- Address: 3700 Garden Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
- Distance: Approximately 3.5 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: PK-8
- Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org; well-reviewed on Niche.com
- Details: A Catholic school offering a faith-based education with a focus on academics and character development. Tuition is around $10,000-$12,000 per year.
- Enrollment: About 250 students
- Parent Reviews: Noted for its small class sizes and family-oriented atmosphere.
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Miami Country Day School
- Address: 601 NE 107th St, Miami, FL 33161
- Distance: Approximately 4 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: PK-12
- Rating: Highly rated on Niche.com (A+); one of the top private schools in Miami-Dade
- Details: A prestigious college-preparatory school with strong academics, arts, and athletics programs. Tuition ranges from $30,000-$40,000 per year depending on grade level.
- Enrollment: Around 1,250 students
- Parent Reviews: Frequently praised for its facilities, faculty, and college placement success.
Charter Schools Near Montego Club, Bay Harbor Islands, FL (33154)
Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with unique educational approaches. Admission is typically by lottery if demand exceeds capacity.
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Mater Academy Miami Beach
- Address: 8625 Byron Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141
- Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles from Montego Club
- Grades: K-8
- Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida Department of Education
- Details: A tuition-free charter school with a focus on academic excellence and character education. Offers a bilingual program. Student-teacher ratio is about 18:1.
- Enrollment: Around 550 students
- Parent Reviews: Well-regarded for its structured environment and strong test scores.
Additional Notes on School Selection
- Zoning and Enrollment: Public school assignments are based on residential address. Families in Montego Club should verify their zoned schools through the MDCPS School Locator tool (available on the district website) or by contacting the district directly.
- School Choice Programs: Miami-Dade County offers magnet programs, charter schools, and school choice options that allow students to apply to schools outside their zoned area. For example, students might apply to magnet programs at schools like MAST Academy (a top-rated STEM high school in Miami Beach).
- Ratings Variability: School ratings from sources like GreatSchools.org are based on test scores and other metrics but may not reflect the full experience (e.g., extracurriculars, teacher quality, or community fit). Visiting schools and speaking with current parents is recommended.
- Transportation: Bay Harbor Islands is a compact area, and many schools are within a short drive. However, traffic in the Miami area can be heavy, especially during school drop-off/pick-up times. Some private schools offer bus services for an additional fee.
How to Research Further
- GreatSchools.org: Provides detailed ratings, reviews, and test score data for public and some private schools.
- Niche.com: Offers rankings and parent reviews for public, private, and charter schools.
- Florida Department of Education: Publishes school grades (A-F) based on state assessments (available at www.fldoe.org).
- School Visits: Many schools offer tours or open houses, especially private and charter schools.
- Local Community Resources: The Town of Bay Harbor Islands website (www.bayharborislands-fl.gov) or local parent groups on social media can provide insider perspectives on schools.
If you have specific needs (e.g., special education programs, religious preferences, or extracurricular priorities), let me know, and I can tailor the