3 Miami Springs Schools Achieve Prestigious “Schools of Excellence” Designation

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) continues to set the benchmark for academic distinction across the Sunshine State. In the latest official release from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for the 2025–2026 school year, three standout public and charter schools serving the Miami Springs community earned the coveted School of Excellence designation.

The local recipients earning this top state distinction include:

• Springview Elementary School (School #5361) – Ranking in the 88.2nd percentile statewide among elementary schools with an “A” rating.

• Academy for Innovative Education (AIE Charter) (School #6093) – Ranking in the 84.4th percentile statewide among combination schools with an “A” rating.

• Integrated Science and Asian Culture (ISAAC) Academy (School #2004) – Ranking in the 97.5th percentile statewide among elementary programs with an “A” rating.

What Represents a Florida “School of Excellence”?

Established under Section 1003.631, Florida Statutes, the School of Excellence designation was created by the Florida Legislature to recognize top-performing schools throughout the state. To earn this title, a school must score in the 80th percentile or higher statewide in school grade calculation points among peer schools with similar grade configurations for at least two of the last three school years.

Schools receiving this state designation are awarded significant statutory flexibilities to enhance administrative innovation and classroom instruction, including:

1. Instructional Autonomy: Exemption from mandatory state minimum daily/weekly reading instruction minute mandates, allowing teachers to tailor learning paths.
2. Principal Leadership Flexibility: Expanded administrative authority under section 1012.28(8), Florida Statutes.
3. Teacher Certification Credits: Educators at designated schools can substitute 1 year of successful employment for 20 in-service points toward professional recertification (up to 60 points over 5 years).
4. Schedule Adaptability: Exemption from district-imposed start and end time restrictions.
5. Class Size Averages: Class size compliance is measured at the school-wide average level rather than individual classroom counts.

M-DCPS Leads the Entire State of Florida

At the district level, Miami-Dade County Public Schools demonstrated overwhelming educational leadership across Florida:

• 160 Total Designated Schools: M-DCPS accounts for 21% of all Schools of Excellence statewide (160 out of 768 designated schools across 49 Florida school districts).
• Urban District Dominance: M-DCPS earned more than double the designations of the next highest district in the state (Broward County Public Schools earned 76).
• Breakdown in Miami-Dade: The district’s 160 qualifying schools include 75 Elementary Schools, 20 Middle Schools, 29 High Schools, and 36 Combination Centers.

Since the inception of the state program, M-DCPS has consistently led Florida every single year, reinforcing the district’s commitment to neighborhood school excellence, specialized magnet programs, and high-performing charter partnerships.

Congratulations to the administrators, faculty, parents, and hardworking students at Springview Elementary, AIE Charter, and ISAAC Academy for bringing this remarkable state achievement home to Miami Springs!