Local Schools Near West Flagler Heritage, Sweetwater, 33174

The community of West Flagler Heritage in Sweetwater, FL, falls within the 33174 ZIP code, which is part of Miami-Dade County. This area is served by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) district, one of the largest school districts in the United States. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near this community, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on 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. 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 firsthand impression.

Location Context

West Flagler Heritage is located near Sweetwater, close to Florida International University (FIU) and major roads like the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) and SW 8th Street. The 33174 ZIP code includes parts of Sweetwater and unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Schools listed below are within or near this ZIP code, generally within a 1-5 mile radius of the community.

Public Schools Near West Flagler Heritage, Sweetwater, FL (33174)

Public schools in this area are managed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I’ve included elementary, middle, and high schools closest to the 33174 area, along with their GreatSchools.org ratings (on a scale of 1-10) and some additional context from Niche or Florida Department of Education data where available. Ratings are as of the most recent data I can access (up to October 2023), but they may not reflect the latest updates.

Elementary Schools

1. Fairlawn Elementary School

   • Address: 444 SW 60th Ave, Miami, FL 33144 (approximately 2-3 miles from West Flagler Heritage)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 7/10
   • Details: Serves grades PK-5 with a student population of around 600. Known for strong academic performance in reading and math compared to district averages. It has a diverse student body, with a significant Hispanic population (common in Miami-Dade). Parent reviews on Niche often praise the teachers but note occasional concerns about facilities.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): B (based on state assessments)

2. Sweetwater Elementary School

   • Address: 10655 SW 4th St, Sweetwater, FL 33174 (within 1-2 miles of West Flagler Heritage)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
   • Details: Serves grades PK-5 with approximately 500 students. Test scores are slightly below the state average in some areas, but the school is noted for its community involvement and bilingual programs. It’s very close to the heart of Sweetwater.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C

3. Seminole Elementary School

   • Address: 121 SW 78th Pl, Miami, FL 33144 (about 3 miles away)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 8/10
   • Details: Serves grades PK-5 with around 500 students. This school often receives positive feedback for its academic programs and parent involvement. It’s a bit farther from West Flagler Heritage but still within a reasonable distance.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): A

   Middle Schools

   1. Ruben Dario Middle School
   2. Address: 350 NW 97th Ave, Miami, FL 33172 (about 2-3 miles from West Flagler Heritage)
   3. GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   4. Details: Serves grades 6-8 with a student population of around 600. Test scores are near the district average, with some areas like math showing improvement. Reviews on Niche mention a supportive staff but occasional concerns about discipline.
   5. Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C

4. West Miami Middle School

   • Address: 7525 SW 24th St, Miami, FL 33155 (approximately 4 miles away)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
   • Details: Serves grades 6-8 with about 800 students. Known for a diverse student body and various extracurricular programs. Academic performance is average for the district.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): B

   High Schools

   1. Southwest Miami Senior High School
   2. Address: 8855 SW 50th Terrace, Miami, FL 33165 (about 3-4 miles from West Flagler Heritage)
   3. GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   4. Details: Serves grades 9-12 with a student population of over 2,000. Offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and career-focused programs. Graduation rates are near the state average (around 85-90%), but test scores lag slightly behind in some subjects.
   5. Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C

5. Miami Coral Park Senior High School

   • Address: 8865 SW 16th St, Miami, FL 33165 (about 3 miles away)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
   • Details: Serves grades 9-12 with around 2,500 students. Known for its magnet programs in engineering and health sciences. Academic performance is slightly above the district average in some areas.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): B

   Private Schools Near West Flagler Heritage, Sweetwater, FL (33174)

   Private schools in the area often cater to families seeking smaller class sizes, religious education, or specialized curricula. Ratings for private schools are less standardized but are based on parent reviews from Niche and other platforms.

6. St. Brendan Elementary School

   • Address: 8755 SW 32nd St, Miami, FL 33165 (about 3 miles away)
   • Type: Catholic, Grades PK-8
   • Niche Rating: A- (based on parent and student reviews)
   • Details: Known for a strong academic program and faith-based education. Tuition is approximately $8,000-$10,000 per year, though financial aid may be available. Highly regarded for its community and extracurriculars.

7. Christopher Columbus High School

   • Address: 3000 SW 87th Ave, Miami, FL 33165 (about 3-4 miles away)
   • Type: Catholic, All-Boys, Grades 9-12
   • Niche Rating: A+ (one of the top private high schools in Miami-Dade)
   • Details: A prestigious school with a focus on college prep, athletics, and leadership. Tuition is around $12,000-$15,000 annually. Known for high college acceptance rates.

8. Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

   • Address: 500 SW 127th Ave, Miami, FL 33184 (about 4-5 miles away)
   • Type: Catholic, All-Boys, Grades 6-12
   • Niche Rating: A+
   • Details: Another top-tier private school with a rigorous academic program and a strong emphasis on Jesuit values. Tuition is around $15,000 per year. Highly competitive admissions.

   Charter Schools Near West Flagler Heritage, Sweetwater, FL (33174)

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools. They can be an alternative for families in the area.

9. Academir Charter School West

   • Address: 14850 SW 26th St, Miami, FL 33185 (about 5 miles away)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 8/10
   • Details: Serves grades K-8 with a focus on STEM education. Known for strong test scores and a structured environment. Admission is often lottery-based due to high demand.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): A

   Additional Notes on School Selection

   • Zoning: Public school assignments in Miami-Dade County are based on residential address. You can confirm which schools your child is zoned for by using the MDCPS School Locator tool on their website (www.dadeschools.net).
   • Magnet and Choice Programs: Miami-Dade offers numerous magnet programs (e.g., STEM, arts, International Baccalaureate) that students can apply to, even if outside their zoned area. Schools like Miami Coral Park Senior High have such programs.
   • Ratings Variability: Ratings from GreatSchools, Niche, or state grades may not fully capture a school’s environment or fit for your child. Visiting schools, speaking with parents, and reviewing recent report cards from the Florida Department of Education (www.fldoe.org) is advisable.
   • Proximity: The 33174 area is urban, so traffic on roads like SW 8th Street or the Dolphin Expressway can affect commute times to schools even a few miles away.

   Higher Education Nearby

   Since West Flagler Heritage is near Florida International University (FIU), located at 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199 (within 1-2 miles), residents have easy access to a major public university. FIU offers undergraduate and graduate programs and