A guide to Miami-Dade County's top public and specialty high schools.
Founded in 1990 by former principal Jacqueline Hinchey-Sipes. DASH has earned a reputation as one of Florida's strongest public high schools, often making Miami-Dade County's highest marks on the FCAT exam and consistently receiving an A grade from the state. Newsweek Magazine ranked DASH as the 5th best public high school in the US for 2010. Over 95% of graduates continue to college, with most receiving scholarships from top art and design programs. The school was twice named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (1994 & 1995). Graduates have been admitted to Yale, Harvard, MIT, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Cooper Union, and the Wharton School at UPenn.
Locally known as "Miami's Mega Magnet School" since it offers six different magnet programs. Ranked 19th in the nation by Newsweek's List of the 1,000 Top U.S. Schools (2008). Coral Reef was the only school in Miami-Dade County to receive an "A" grade on the FCAT for the first nine years of its existence. The school accepts applications from middle school students across the county via a lottery system (except Visual & Performing Arts, which requires an audition).
A nationally recognized, innovative school of choice with a marine theme, located on Virginia Key between Miami and Key Biscayne, across from the Miami Seaquarium and near the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. MAST is home to the first Coast Guard JROTC chapter in the country. Active in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, placing first in the state and fifth nationally in 2006. The steel drum band won their division in the Florida State High School Jazz Band Competition in 1999.
Miami Beach High opened its doors in 1926, making it one of the oldest high schools in Miami-Dade County. Originally located at 1424 Drexel Avenue in South Beach and named after Carl Fisher's mother, Ida M. Fisher. The school was designed by August Geiger. Carl Fisher provided the funds for the land purchase. The original nickname was the Typhoons, changed to Hi-Tides after moving to Prairie Avenue. Starting in the 2009–2010 school year, Miami Beach High became a magnet school and is recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School.
A public magnet high school and college in Miami with dual-enrollment programs in visual arts, dance, theatre, musical theatre, instrumental music, and vocal music. Both the college and high school are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Students are accepted through auditions or art portfolio reviews. High school students graduate with a diploma plus 30 dual-enrollment arts credits from Miami Dade College. The college awards Associate of Arts degrees from MDC, and Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Florida.
