Need Opinion on Elementary Schools in Miami-Dade (Pinecrest/Gables/Palmetto Bay.

Dont forget magnet programs!
http://choice.dadeschools.net/
they are not (usually)in the 'best' neighborhoods, but that's what makes them 'magnet'- they are intended to draw people in! go visit the actual program and don't be scared of the school where the magnet program is hosted OR the neighborhood where it is- call the school & ask for the Magnet Coordinator and you can also try the guidance counselor to get help!

Ada Meritt is a fantastic magnet school & there are many others! http://adamerritt.dadeschools.net/

http://joella.dadeschools.net/ is a Montessori school (a free, public montessori!)

this school is for learning languages-it's an 'A' school!: http://northdadecenterfor.dadeschools.net/

other great elementary schools in no particular order:

Miami Shores Elementary (has a great Gifted program); http://miamishoreselementary.dadeschools.net/

North Beach Elementary: http://northbeach.schoolwires.com/northbeach/site/default...

South Pointe Elementary: http://southpointe.schoolwires.com/southpointe/site/defau...

Miami Springs Elementary:
http://mse.dadeschools.net/

Highland Oaks Elementary:
http://vabhighlandoaks.dadeschools.net/

Bay Harbor Elementary (K-8): http://rkbbhk8.dadeschools.net/index.htm

David Lawrence (K-8): http://dlk8.dadeschools.net/

here's a link for those new to the district:
http://www.dadeschools.net/parents/newtodistrict.htm

Yes, I agree you should be nervous because the school system is not good down here but the areas that you are looking in have good schools especially Palmetto. I came here a few years ago and was so disappointed with the school system, in general. It made me want to go back to N.J. Good Luck!

Now that you've been in Miami for awhile, how do you like it? I might be relocating there from Chicago soon for a great job opportunity. But, of course, I ultimately want what is best for my 3-year-old daughter. I would appreciate your feedback.

How much you can afford in housing makes a difference as well as where your husband will be working. Miami-Dade County is very large.

Coral Gables, Palmetto and Pinecrest are upper middle class neighborhoods. Doral is middle class. The Palmetto school district has an excellent rating.

But also look at Devonaire K-8 Center -- located at SW 122 Ave and SW 104 Street. And Calusa Elementary. Both are located in lovely neighborhoods.

Hello Broke ,

Welcome to South FL , I've benn living here since 1988 , I moved down from Chicago !!! Yes the Windy City , which I still miss dearly . As fas as schools here it is quite scary , you most do lots of research , Laura has giving really good research ecngines . Coral Gables & Pincrest are very nice , upscale and very expensicve neigborhood . There are some others more afortable in Dade-County such as Miami Springs , Doral , Miami Lakes . I live in Miami Lakes I love my neighborhood , My son attends a charter school in Hialeah Garden . Mater Academy , He is doing very well , He has been there since kinder , the teachers are very much involved , He love 's the school , but you most be in a waiting list we were very furtunate . If you like information about the school the staff is very friendly especialyy Ms. Jessuca & Ms. Erica .You may contact them @ Mater Academy Charter School 7700 NW 98 Street , Hiealeah Gardens,Fl ###-###-####.

Best of Luck !!

Miami Springs is a fabulous neighborhood and is a bit more affordable than Coral Gables. More of a small town feel to it ... we love it.

Great schools:
Faith Lutheran (PreK-8)
Miami Springs Elem (K-5) & Miami Springs HS (9-12)

in Gables area ... Coral Gables Elementary is a great school ...

Further south, Sunset, Palmetto and, of course, Pinecrest Elementaries are all great schools. The Palmetto High school feeder schools are all pretty good (elem, middle & high schools) ... as is St. Paul Lutheran.

Miami Lakes is also a nice area and Miami Lakes K-8 Center & Bob Graham K-8 Center are both good schools.

Best of luck and welcome to S Florida!

well for your sake i would suggest you just stay where you are because miami is not a family oriented city by any means.everyone that says they live in miami actually means that they live somewhere in one of the outskirts of miami. you would be better off in broward county or farther north especially if you like your american way of living. the traffic is terrible so no matter where you live you will always have rush hour. and the housing is completely unaffordable unless of course you are rich. but for average middle class people like myself its still impossible to afford anything decent. coral gables is a very rich neighborhood. i ended up in a crappy neighborhood after my familys relocation because its was in our price range and still far more expensive and much smaller than what we used to pay for a rental house. its an apartment by the way. as for the schools our neighborhood i wouldnt be caught dead sending my children to them. my children go to school across town in doral at the renaissance charter elementary school. its a very good school. we have only had one teacher that was a problem and our children are doing great in the school. it does get to be a hassle sometimes simply because they ask more of you than an average public school but in the long run its better for the kids. other than that where your child ends up depends on where you move to even then there is a chance that your child may endup in a different school within the district because of over population. you are going to havebetter luck finding a charter school than a public school especially if you want your child to have a good education. and private schools are extremely overpriced. you are easily looking at $18,000 for two children for the year. i wish you luck but if you can avoid moving in the first place you will be better off. good luck.

Hello, unfortunately Miami-Dade County is not the most family friendly place. It's a big congested city no matter how you slice it. Surely you will find good people, but for the most part it's a rude harried city. I myself have been hoping to move from here for some time now but can't because hubby won't leave his aging parents behind. It does have good weather, although hot. The areas/schools you mentioned are about the best ones in the county..my kids are 9 and 6. They went to private school for a while and then I put them in public school. They are not in any of those public schools you mentioned because I don't live in those areas but they are in an excellent 7 year in a row grade A school with a self contained gifted program. They love their school and so do we. It has worked great so far. We are in the Sunset Kenadll area. Many people here have their kids in private school either for status or because they don't like the public school in the area. I'll tell you this, it will be hard to find an affordable private school. Most of them are an average of $8,000 and up per student per year, and that's the lower end. At one point I had my kids in a very good reasonable christian private school and I was paying $1200 per month for both of them in preK and 2nd grade. You can probably find a cheaper school if you go the catholic route, but that was not an option for me because I am not catholic.. I don't know what your financial situation will be but if you are in good financial standings then you should have no problem paying $18,000 per year for 2 kids in private school minimum...or living in Coral Gables or Pinecrest for that matter which are the most pricey neighborhoods in Dade County with LOW home prices in the $700's to lower millions. But for the rest of us average joes, it's not that simple!!! Good luck