The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in English language arts. The lowest is 76% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on South Prep Scholars Academy
South Prep Scholars Academy is a small charter school in Homestead, serving kindergarten through fifth grade, though the most recent enrollment data shows students concentrated in the earliest grades, with kindergarten and first and second grade filled and the upper elementary grades currently at zero enrollment. This suggests the school is still growing into its full grade band rather than operating at steady state across all five grades, and families considering grades three through five would want to confirm current availability and plans directly with the school.
The school sits within the Miami-Dade district, though as a charter it operates with its own governance and admissions process. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, reflecting Homestead's own demographic makeup, and the school draws a very small enrollment overall. Data on English learners and students with IEPs was not available in what we reviewed, so families who need information on language support or special education services should ask the school directly.
The free and reduced-price lunch rate reported for the school is strikingly low, well below what one would expect in a Homestead neighborhood where many families work in agriculture, construction, and service industries. This is worth understanding before drawing conclusions about the community the school serves; enrollment patterns in a young, growing charter can produce unusual figures in early years.
On academics, Florida FAST results for third grade in the most recent school year show strong performance in both reading and math, with the reading result particularly high. Keep in mind that third grade is the only tested grade, and trend data across multiple years was not available, so there is limited context for whether this performance is sustained or how it compares to similar schools. The school was not positioned in a meaningful comparison set because the county comparison pool was too small to yield a reliable index, so relative standing among Miami-Dade schools is not something the data can establish here.
No information on programs, extracurriculars, staffing levels, or attendance patterns was available in what we reviewed. A graduation rate does not apply, since the school ends at fifth grade. Parents interested in what curriculum, enrichment, or specialty model the school uses would need to consult the school directly or its publicly reported materials.
Homestead itself has been growing steadily for two decades, fueled by new master-planned single-family and townhome communities spreading across the southern end of Miami-Dade County. The housing market sits above the statewide median home value, with values having dipped slightly over the past year while rents have edged up. Buying in this area carries a price-to-income ratio well above what is considered affordable nationally, and the estimated monthly mortgage on a typical home here is a real constraint for many working families. Those renting spend a substantial share of income on housing, above what lenders typically recommend.
As part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, South Prep Scholars Academy operates in a district navigating significant enrollment decline. The district has proposed closing or consolidating up to nine schools and reconfiguring boundaries and grade structures, which could affect families' longer-term school plans beyond fifth grade. Separately, a voter-approved property tax referendum funds teacher pay raises and school safety staffing through 2027, adding an ongoing cost for homeowners that may or may not be renewed. Florida's evolving cellphone policy, moving toward a full school-day restriction statewide, will eventually apply across all Miami-Dade schools including charters, though the timeline and exact rules are still being set.
Homestead's downtown has been actively revitalized, with a public library, entertainment complex, civic park, and transit hub anchoring a walkable historic district. Beyond that core, the city is car-dependent, spread out along commercial corridors, with bus service and a city trolley connecting major destinations. The South Dade TransitWay links the area to Metrorail to the north for commuters.
South Prep Scholars Academy is a young, very small charter school whose academic results in the one tested grade are strong, but whose full picture, including program breadth, staffing, and performance across all grades, remains incomplete in the available data. Families weighing it should treat a direct conversation with the school as essential.
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