Local Schools Near West Lawn, Miami, 33144

West Lawn is a neighborhood within the broader area of Westchester in Miami, Florida, with the ZIP code 33144. This area is primarily residential and falls under the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), the fourth-largest school district in the United States. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near the West Lawn community, 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 often 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.

Public Schools Near West Lawn, Miami, FL (33144)

Public schools in this area are managed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I’ve focused on schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 1-3 miles) from the West Lawn community, centered around the 33144 ZIP code.

Elementary Schools

1. Seminole Elementary School

   • Address: 121 SW 78th Pl, Miami, FL 33144
   • Distance: Approximately 0.5-1 mile from central West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Seminole Elementary is a well-regarded school in the area with a focus on academic achievement and a diverse student body. It offers programs like gifted education and has a strong community reputation.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 500 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 (based on recent data)

2. Banyan Elementary School

   • Address: 3060 SW 85th Ave, Miami, FL 33155 (just outside 33144)
   • Distance: Approximately 1.5-2 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Banyan Elementary serves a diverse population and emphasizes bilingual education, reflecting the cultural makeup of the area (significant Hispanic/Latino population).
   • Enrollment: Approx. 400 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

3. Flagami Elementary School

   • Address: 920 SW 76th Ave, Miami, FL 33144
   • Distance: Approximately 1-1.5 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school offers a variety of programs, including ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), to support its diverse student body.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 450 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1

   Middle Schools

   1. West Miami Middle School
   2. Address: 7525 SW 24th St, Miami, FL 33155 (near 33144 border)
   3. Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from West Lawn
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: West Miami Middle offers magnet programs in areas like technology and performing arts. It has a diverse student population and focuses on preparing students for high school.
   7. Enrollment: Approx. 800 students
   8. Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1

4. Rockway Middle School

   • Address: 9393 SW 29th Ter, Miami, FL 33165 (slightly outside 33144)
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Known for strong academic programs and extracurricular activities, Rockway Middle also offers magnet options in STEM and fine arts.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,000 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1

   High Schools

   1. Southwest Miami Senior High School
   2. Address: 8855 SW 50th Ter, Miami, FL 33165 (near 33144)
   3. Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from West Lawn
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: Southwest Miami Senior High offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career academies, and extracurriculars. It serves a large, diverse student body.
   7. Enrollment: Approx. 2,400 students
   8. Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
   9. Graduation Rate: Around 90% (based on recent Florida DOE data)

   Private Schools Near West Lawn, Miami, FL (33144)

   Private schools in the area often cater to families seeking smaller class sizes, religious education, or specialized curricula. Here are a few notable options within or near the 33144 ZIP code.

5. St. Brendan Elementary School

   • Address: 8755 SW 32nd St, Miami, FL 33165
   • Distance: Approximately 1.5-2 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org, but highly regarded in the community (Niche gives it an A- for similar Catholic schools in the area)
   • Details: A Catholic school under the Archdiocese of Miami, St. Brendan emphasizes faith-based education alongside academics. It has a strong reputation for discipline and community involvement.
   • Tuition: Approx. $8,000-$10,000 per year (varies; contact school for exact figures)
   • Enrollment: Approx. 500 students

6. Christopher Columbus High School

   • Address: 3000 SW 87th Ave, Miami, FL 33165
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: A (Niche.com)
   • Details: An all-boys Catholic high school known for its rigorous academics, sports programs, and college preparatory focus. It’s one of the top private high schools in Miami-Dade County.
   • Tuition: Approx. $12,000-$15,000 per year (contact school for current rates)
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,400 students

7. Our Lady of Lourdes Academy

   • Address: 5525 SW 84th St, Miami, FL 33143 (slightly further out)
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: A (Niche.com)
   • Details: An all-girls Catholic high school with a strong academic reputation and a focus on leadership and community service.
   • Tuition: Approx. $12,000-$14,000 per year
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800 students

   Charter Schools Near West Lawn, Miami, FL (33144)

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

8. Academir Charter School West

   • Address: 14850 SW 26th St, Miami, FL 33185 (a bit further out but accessible)
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from West Lawn
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Focuses on a rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on math and science. It’s a popular choice for families seeking an alternative to traditional public schools.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 600 students

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Sources: Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org and Niche.com, which aggregate data on test scores, parent reviews, and other metrics. The Florida Department of Education also assigns school grades (A-F) based on performance, which can be found on their website (fldoe.org).
   • Zoning: Public school assignments are based on residential zoning. To confirm which school your child is zoned for, use the MDCPS School Locator tool on their website (dadeschools.net) by entering your specific address in West Lawn.
   • Diversity: The West Lawn area has a predominantly Hispanic/Latino population, which is reflected in the student demographics of local schools. Many schools offer bilingual programs or ESOL support.
   • Transportation: Miami-Dade County Public Schools provide bus services for eligible students based on distance from the school. Private and charter schools may have limited or private transportation options.

   How to Research Further

   • Visit Schools: Schedule tours or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment and meet staff.
   • Check Updated Ratings: Websites like GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, or the Florida DOE provide the latest data and parent reviews.
   • Contact MDCPS: For public school inquiries, call the district at (305) 995-1000 or visit dadeschools.net.
   • Private School Admissions: Contact individual private schools for application processes, financial aid, and tuition details.

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