The Best Private Schools in Miami Beach, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Miami Beach. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ransom Everglades School
Independent
Ransom Everglades is a highly prestigious independent college preparatory school formed by the merger of two historic institutions. Located in Coconut Grove just minutes from Miami Beach, it serves students from across Miami-Dade County with an exceptional academic program. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including waterfront campuses, advanced science labs, and extensive athletic facilities. Known for its rigorous curriculum and outstanding college placement record, Ransom Everglades emphasizes honor, scholarship, and citizenship while offering comprehensive arts, athletics, and community service programs.
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Gulliver Preparatory School
Gulliver Schools
Gulliver Preparatory is a renowned independent day school serving students from Miami Beach and throughout South Florida. With a 70-year history of educational excellence, the school offers both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. The campus features modern academic facilities, extensive athletic complexes, and dedicated arts spaces. Gulliver is particularly noted for its strong STEM programs, competitive athletics, and outstanding college counseling. The school maintains small class sizes and provides personalized attention while offering diverse extracurricular opportunities.
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Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart is a premier all-girls Catholic independent school located in Coconut Grove, serving students from Miami Beach and surrounding communities. As part of the international Network of Sacred Heart Schools, Carrollton offers a rigorous academic program including International Baccalaureate diplomas. The school emphasizes leadership development, spiritual growth, and social responsibility while maintaining excellent college placement records. The beautiful campus features historic buildings alongside modern facilities, including science labs, arts studios, and athletic centers. Carrollton provides a supportive environment that empowers young women to excel academically and personally.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Miami Beach, Florida
What are the most notable private school options directly in Miami Beach, Florida, and are there top-tier schools in adjacent areas that Miami Beach residents commonly attend?
Directly within Miami Beach, you'll find schools like Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School (private elementary) and the Hebrew Academy. However, many Miami Beach families also consider prestigious institutions in adjacent Coral Gables and Pinecrest, which are a short commute. These include Ransom Everglades School (in Coconut Grove), Gulliver Preparatory School (with a campus in Pinecrest), and Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (in Coconut Grove). These schools are known for rigorous academics, extensive extracurriculars, and strong college placement, making them popular choices for Miami Beach residents despite not being located on the island itself.
How does tuition for private schools in the Miami Beach, FL, area compare to the national average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for top private schools in the Miami Beach orbit is generally at or above the national average. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at schools like Ransom Everglades and Gulliver Preparatory often ranges from $40,000 to $50,000+ for upper grades. Florida has limited state-sponsored scholarship programs for private schools compared to some states, but the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship programs can provide significant financial assistance to eligible families based on income. Additionally, most major private schools offer their own need-based financial aid. It's crucial to apply for aid early, as funds are limited and the process is separate from admissions.
Given Miami Beach's unique international and cultural environment, what specialized academic programs do local private schools offer?
Reflecting Miami Beach's global community, area private schools offer robust language immersion, international baccalaureate (IB), and global studies programs. For example, Gulliver Preparatory is an authorized IB World School offering the full IB Diploma Programme. Many schools also emphasize marine science and environmental studies, leveraging South Florida's coastal ecosystem—Ransom Everglades has a renowned marine science program with direct waterfront access. Furthermore, schools like Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart offer strong entrepreneurship and leadership programs, aligning with Miami's growing tech and business sectors. Arts programs are also particularly strong, with ties to Miami Beach's vibrant art scene and institutions like Art Basel.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools serving Miami Beach, Florida, families?
The timeline for Miami Beach-area private schools is highly structured and begins early. For a fall start, the process typically kicks off in the summer or early fall (12-18 months prior) with open houses and tours. Application deadlines are usually between December and January, involving standardized testing (like the ISEE or SSAT), student interviews, teacher recommendations, and sometimes parent interviews. Admission decisions are communicated in March. Given the competitive nature of schools like Ransom Everglades and Gulliver, it is strongly advised to begin research and visits well over a year in advance. Many families also consider applying to multiple schools to increase their options.
What are the key considerations when comparing private schools to the public Miami-Dade County School District options available in Miami Beach, FL?
Key considerations include class size, curricular focus, and campus resources. Miami Beach public schools, like Miami Beach Senior High, are part of the large Miami-Dade County Public School system and offer diverse magnet programs (e.g., the International Baccalaureate program at Beach High). However, private schools offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 12-18 students), more individualized attention, and often more extensive facilities and extracurricular offerings. The trade-off is, of course, cost. For Miami Beach families, another major factor is commute; a private school in Coral Gables may offer a specialized program but requires daily travel off the island, which can be impacted by seasonal traffic and bridge congestion.
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