A Guide to the Best Schools in the Miami Area
Since Covid, Miami has seen a surge in population for a multitude of reasons. Tax incentives, safety, year-round sunny weather, etc… Recently, families have also made the move for the various prestigious schools in the South Florida area, providing quality education for every age group from pre-k through college. Below is a look into a selection of some of the best and most sought-after schools in South Florida.
Ransom Everglades
Originating in 1903, Ransom Everglades is stemmed in over 120 years of tradition and has continuously set the standard for education in the state. Consistently ranked as one of the top private high schools within the state of Florida, the prestigious school is also currently ranked in the top 50 best college prep high schools in the entire country.
Its location is unmatched with two campuses nestled in the heart of Coconut Grove hosting students from grades 6-12. The main campus for upperclassmen sits on a sprawling acreage along the stunning coastline of Biscayne Bay.
According to the school’s website, the education is centered around ideals set forth by its founder, Paul Ransom: public service, self-reliance and developing multiple forms of intelligence through exploration and problem solving.
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Carrollton Sacred Heart
Carrollton Sacred Heart’s traditions and values date back over 200 years to the year 1800, when its founder St. Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of Sacred Heart. Today, the Network of Sacred Heart includes 25 schools across the U.S. and over 160 internationally. Each is independent but all are unified by the same spirit and purpose.
2 campuses sit side-by-side along the water’s edge in Coconut Grove, with El Jardin, an iconic historic estate originally built for John Bindley in 1918, at the heart of the tropical grounds.
Carrollton is the only Catholic all girls college preparatory school in the state of Florida with education ranging from Montessori 3 through grade 12. It’s also ranked as the #1 Catholic high school in the state and #7 in the country.
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American Heritage
Founded in 1965, American Heritage Schools has blossomed into two, highly ranked 40-acre campuses in Broward and Palm Beach counties, with the former currently ranked the top private school in the state of Florida and the latter ranked #7. Beautifully landscaped grounds are host to an array of state-of-the-art facilities, from a gym and various athletic fields to fine arts and even a butterfly garden.
According to the school’s website, the founder of the school, Mr. William Laurie, focuses on developing students not just academically but also character, confidence and leadership skills. American Heritage Schools are also responsible for the highest number of National Merit Scholars in the nation.
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Pine Crest
Pine Crest has garnered an impressive track record and reputation since it started as a winter school in the early 1930’s, where Dr. Mae McMillan tutored Fort Lauderdale’s growing number of snow birds before expanding with the city’s rapidly increasing population. In 1959 Pine Crest was officially incorporated as a non-profit institution and today 2 campuses span 65 acres with state-of-the-art facilities in North Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
The prestigious school made headlines in 2023 when The Washington Post’s Jay Mathews Challenge Index, the country’s oldest school ranking system, named Pine Crest the #1 private school in the nation and #25 overall.
According to the school's website, they have set forth a strategic plan entitled “Learning + Leading: Globally Connected, Culturally Inspired,” creating leaders of tomorrow through intellectual curiosity in an A.I. driven world incorporating collaboration, problem-solving and meaningful action.
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Gulliver Preparatory
With 2 campuses, one in South Coral Gables and the other nearby in Pinecrest, and surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods and exclusive gated communities, Gulliver Preparatory is revered both for its location and academic excellence.
Originating in Coconut Grove as a school for the kids of families wintering along Miami’s first Gold Coast, the institution was purchased by Marian Krutulis in the 1950’s, who went on to elevate the school into what we see today. She established the mission that still guides the students and faculty: “To create an academic community devoted to educational excellence, with a personal touch, that fulfills each student’s potential.”
According to Niche rankings, Gulliver Prep is the #2 best college prep private high school and #3 best private K-12 school in Miami-Dade county.
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The University of Miami
Perhaps the most recognizable institution on the list, the University of Miami is known not only for its academic excellence, but also for its unique, stunning campus in the heart of Coral Gables and of course for its success in collegiate athletics garnering the name “The U.”
Founded by the father of Coral Gables, George Merrick, the university officially opened in 1926 with just 646 students. Today, UM offers 12 schools and 350 majors & programs for graduate and undergraduate students, and as a result of the city and school’s popularity, acceptance is becoming more and more competitive each year.
UM is host to a long list of notable alumni, from politicians and athletes to film stars and business executives including Alex Rodriguez, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Marco Rubio.
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Sources:
Ransom Everglades
https://www.ransomeverglades.org/#/
https://www.ransomeverglades.org/about/about-re
https://www.niche.com/k12/ransom-everglades-school-coconut-grove-fl/rankings/
Carrollton Sacred Heart
https://www.carrollton.org/
https://www.carrollton.org/about/our-sacred-heart-mission-and-history
https://www.niche.com/k12/carrollton-school-of-the-sacred-heart-miami-fl/rankings/
https://www.niche.com/k12/carrollton-school-of-the-sacred-heart-miami-fl/
American Heritage Schools
https://www.ahschool.com/broward-campus/about-us/welcome-from-our-president-founder
https://www.ahschool.com/ranked-number1-school-in-florida#:~:text=American%20Heritage%20Schools%2C%20Broward%20Campus,in%20Florida%20by%20Niche.com.
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/florida/american-heritage-broward-campus-324558
https://www.ahschool.com/palm-beach-campus/about-us#:~:text=Serving%20South%20and%20Central%20Palm,multicultural%20tapestry%20of%20the%20area.
Pine Crest
https://www.pinecrest.edu/discover-pine-crest/vision-and-tradition
https://www.pinecrest.edu/news/2023-06-28/jay-mathews-challenge-index-ranks-pine-crest-number-one-private-school-in-the-u-s-
https://jaymathewschallengeindex.com/#index
Gulliver Preparatory
https://www.gulliverprep.org/about/strategic-plan/#Our-Mission
https://www.gulliverprep.org/about/history/
https://www.niche.com/k12/gulliver-preparatory-school-pinecrest-fl/rankings/
University of Miami
https://finaid.miami.edu/cost/index.html
https://admissions.miami.edu/undergraduate/about/class-profile/index.html
https://welcome.miami.edu/about-um/index.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/University-of-Miami