There are many fine public schools in our area and many times we know about them through other families.  Rather than simply stating that a school has an excellent reputation. I always direct my customers to the Miami-Dade School Performance web page.  There you can view yearly grading on the schools as a whole and also by subject.  You can view specific information about the school, class size, special programs or features, school boundaries, demographics, etc.  View the link I have included and save it (it will always be handy):  http://oada.dadeschools.net/schoolperformancegrades/schoolgrades.asp

According to the  A+ Plan for Education, schools are assigned a grade, primarily based on student achievement data from the FCAT. The grades are calculated based on the annual learning gains of each student toward achievement of state standards, the progress of the lowest 25% of students and meeting proficiency standards.

School grades use a point system. Schools are awarded 1 point for each percent of students who score high on the FCAT and/or make annual learning gains. For an “A,” a school has to be awarded 525  or more points. For a “B” 495 or more, for a “C” 435 or more points, a “D” 395 or more, and anything less than 395 scores an “F.”

Students who attend a public school that has received an “F” two years in a 4-year period are also eligible for Opportunity Scholarships to attend another public school or private school of their choice. Transportation may be an issue, but there is a choice.

Here’s a list of the public schools and how they scored for the last 4 years that have districts that include all or part of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, or Cutler Bay. For a full list of schools, grades and much more information about each school, visit the Miami-Dade County Public Schools website. The  Assessment, Research, and Data Analysis page has a link to the 2008-09 School Performance Grades.

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Coral Gables Senior High School – http://cghs.dade.k12.fl.us/
450 Bird Road
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Tel. (305) 443-4871
Principal: Jo Anne D. Gans     Grades: 9 – 12   (7:30am – 2:30pm)

• National merit scholarship program
• Award winning: athletics, drama, newspaper, arts
• International Baccalaureate Magnet Program (French,German,Italian,Spanish)
• Dozens of student organizations, JV and Varsity Sports
• Nationally recognized Advanced Placement  & Honors Programs
• Career-oriented and academic programs
• Gablettes

George W. Carver Middle School – http://carver.dade.k12.fl.us/
4901 Lincoln Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33133
Tel. (305) 444-7388
Principal: Libia A. Gonzalez            Grades 6 – 8   (9am-3:45pm)

• International Studies Magnet School (Spanish, French, German)
• Blue Ribbon School of Excellence/ A-Rated School
• University of Miami Lab School
• Academic  environment
• Technology based learning.
• Wide selection of elective classes: debate, creative writing
• Intramural/team sports
• Clubs
• Gifted Program

Ponce de Leon Middle School – http://www.dade.k12.fl.us/ponce/
5801 Augusto Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Tel. (305) 661-1611
Principal:  Anna L. Rodriguez      Grades 6 – 8  (9:00am-3:40pm)  Uniforms Required.

• Gifted Resource Program.
• Unique foreign language opportunities (Spanish, French, German)
• Music/Band.
• Advanced academic courses.
• Computer technology
• International Baccalaureate Program
• Highly regarded performing arts department
• Extensive extracurricular program including  tutoring.

George W. Carver Elementary School - http://dcps.dade.k12.fl.us/gwcarvere/
238 Grand Avenue
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Tel. (305) 443-5286
Principal:  Dr.Cheryl Johnson      Pre-Kindergarten – 5   (8:30am – 3:00pm)

• Small classes:  grades K-2
• International Baccalaureate Language Program (Spanish, French, Italian)
• Small group instruction in math and reading
• Academic excellence program
• After school program

Coral Gables Elementary School - http://dcps.dade.k12.fl.us/gablese
105 Minorca Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Tel. (305) 448-1731
Principal:  Graciela P. Cerra     Grades: Pre-Kindergarten – 5   (8:30am -3:00pm)

• International Baccalaureat Language Program (French, Spanish, Italian)
• COMET Lab (Career Opportunities Motivated through Educational Technology)
• After-school Program
• School is on the National Register of Historic Places
• Kindergarten, and grades 3-5
• Special Gifted Magnet Program

David Fairchild Elementary School – http://dcps.dade.k12.fl.us/fairchild
5757 S.W. 45th Street
Miami, FL 33155
Tel. (305) 665-5483
Principal:     William J. Kinney        Grades: Pre-Kindergarten – 5   (8:30am-3:00pm)  (Uniforms Required)

• Active parent involvement
• Special programs: academic excellence, pre-kindergarten, computer lab, COMET
  Lab, Gifted Program
• Advanced placement classes  (reading and math)
• Before & after-school programs
• Sports programs

Sunset Elementary School – http://dadeschols.net/schools/elem_site.htm
5120 S.W. 72nd Street
Miami, FL 33143
Tel. (305) 661-8527
Principal:   Dr. Aline E. Sarria              Grades: Pre-Kindergarten – 5  (8:30am – 4:00pm)

• Community Involved PTA
• Gifted enrichment program / Magnet program
• Cultural and academic ties with the University of Miami
• International Studies Program (Spanish, French, German)
• Before & after-school programs through the YMCA
• Pre-K program (affordable)

Henry S. West Lab School – http://dadeschools.net/schools/elem_site.htm
5300 Carillo Street
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Tel. (305) 661-7661
Principal:  Barbara R.Soto       Grades: Kindergarten – 6   (8:30am- 3:00pm)

• Educational research facility (Dade County Public Schools, University of Miami and FIU)
• Enrollment is via wait list  (Countywide registration is open to anyone, and is not boundary specific).

Merrick Educational Center - http://mdcps.dade.k12.fl.us/merrick
39 Zamora Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Tel. (305) 445-5188/448-1639
Principal:   Deborah C. Wehking    Grades:  Pre-K -12      (8:00am-1:45pm)   (No uniforms)

• Unique educational center serving those with Medical or Disciplinary Special Needs (infants through seniors).
• Home/Hospital Instructional Programs
• Alternative education.
• Alternatives to expulsion.
• Programs for visually and/or hearing impaired  infants and their families.
• Parent  Education Resource Center (Largest in Dade County Public School System)
• Community and Adult Education.
• Programs for those with Special Needs.

As of now,prices are still declining and in some cases, they are where they were in 2003.  This is important information for buyers and sellers.  For buyers, great opportunities, affordable housing.

For sellers, it is information as to how to price your condo or home so you can sell and move on.

The average price of the properties selling is $316 down a little from last month at $324K. The price point of under 300k is the fastest growing price range in this market with 80% of sales being in this catagory.

Ms. Esterline & Ms. Thiel Halloween 08

My son just had the fortune of graduating Kindergarten from this remarkable school.

My experience with the school, the administration and dedicated teachers and staff compelled me to share my accolades.

A little over a year ago my Job relocated me to Fort Lauderdale mid term. My son was currently at Pre-K in Miami Beach and frantically I had to find a Kindergarten for the upcoming year.

Happyland Day School in Ft. Lauderdale, (just off Las Olas Blvd), a Christian based Preschool through K was recommended to me by my Assistant and by an agent in my Real Estate Office. My Assistant knew of it through the Church and through the praise of one of our agents who’s daughter attended.

I checked it out and did my research and enrolled my son in summer camp and then Kindergarten. The word on the street was only praise for this intimate learning facility. It was amazing how well respected and regarded HappyLand was amongst parents in Fort Lauderdale. The funniest thing that I heard from a Mom was who’s 2 boys had attended several years back was that, that the Mother’s loved it so much, they kept having babies, as they didn’t want to give up being part of the Happyland Family!…And judging by the amount of pregnant Mothers I have seen in the corridors, maybe that was  true!

I remember my first appointment and meeting the Principal-Ms. Pam Alexander and her Assistance, Miss Carol, they were warm, bubbly and inviting. They reminded me of ladies from a British sit com, with warmth and humor….I felt at home….Ms. Pam has been with Happyland for 19 years, that says something in itself.

Miss Corey Thiel was my son’s Kindergarten Teacher and Ms. Esterlineher assistant. For a year, they taught, nurtured and  prepared  my son for 1st Grade. No words can express my gratitude for their dedication and passion for education and their affection for the children. My son, loved school, he loved Happyland and his thirst for knowledge continues.

Happyland is an excellent choice and an excellent start for your child. It is well rounded, balanced, fun, disciplined and Happy. It has an active parents club, small classes and many fun field trips, holiday festivities and chapel.

It is a feeder school for Pine Crest, St. Marks, St. Anthony’s, Bayview Elementary and VSY.

I believe that if a child is given a good base and a good foundation, anything is possible. That those first years are the most important baseline for the future. That it is a teachers job to spark that desire, to light that fire and at Happyland that was achieved.

Happyland Day School-954.463.6051

401 Southeast Fifteenth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301