Best Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
63 schools · 41 Elementary · 4 Middle · 7 High · 11 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $80,025
- Median home value
- $475,636
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fort Lauderdale compares
Florida rank
#220 of 280
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Florida avg (6.4)
Median household income
$80k
107% of Florida median
Schools in this city
55
About Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale's public school system spans 30 ranked schools with an average score of 6.1 out of 10 — a middle-of-the-road baseline that masks real variation across the city. One in three schools clears the 7-out-of-10 mark, meaning parents who research specific addresses rather than relying on city-wide averages have meaningful options to work with.
The elementary level is where Fort Lauderdale shows its strongest performance. Floranada Elementary leads the city with an 8.8 out of 10, the highest score among all 30 ranked schools. Bayview Elementary and Virginia Shuman Young Elementary each score 8.0, and Bennett Elementary (7.7) and North Side Elementary (7.5) round out a competitive top tier. Five of the city's ten highest-rated schools are elementaries, which matters for families with young children or those planning ahead — a strong elementary pipeline is a practical advantage even before middle and high school choices come into play.
The 6.1 city average tells parents to do their homework by neighborhood. The spread between the top score (8.8 at Floranada) and the city mean suggests that school quality is genuinely uneven across Fort Lauderdale's ZIP codes. Families in the northern and coastal corridors tend to have better access to the higher-performing campuses, while schools closer to the urban core show more variability. With 33% of schools scoring 7 or above, approximately 10 schools offer above-average performance — concentrated enough that where you live or which school you apply to matters considerably.
For parents comparing Fort Lauderdale to other Broward County cities, the 6.1 average is a useful benchmark but not the full picture. The 8.8 ceiling at Floranada is competitive by any regional standard. The practical takeaway: prioritize checking the score of the specific school assigned to your address, identify whether any of the ten 7-plus-rated schools are within your transfer or magnet window, and weight elementary options heavily if you have school-age children in the K-5 range.
Elementary Schools
41 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 739 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 299 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 288 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 4 | 575 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 5 | 692 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 6 | 209 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 7 | 658 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 8 | 653 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 9 | 325 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 10 | 510 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 11 | 512 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 12 | 413 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 | ||
| 13 | 111 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 14 | 465 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 15 | 505 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 16 | 462 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 17 | 739 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 18 | 615 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 19 | 442 students · Pre-K–3rd | 4.2 | ||
| Private Schools 22 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST JEROME CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
164 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
124 students · Pre-K–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 103 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | BRAUSER MAIMONIDES ACADEMY
Private
472 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | OUR LADY QUEEN OF MARTYRS SCHOOL
Private
199 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
246 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show 16 more elementary schools
| 7 | CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL
Private
169 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated |
| 8 | SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
Private
50 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated |
| 9 | ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
409 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated |
| 10 | FIDELIS ACADEMY
Private
77 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated |
| 11 | ST HELEN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Private
196 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated |
| 12 | JACK AND JILL CHILDREN'S CENTER
Private
88 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated |
| 13 | 96 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated |
| 14 | MOUNT BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
80 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated |
| 15 | CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY
Private
107 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated |
| 16 | GATEWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
83 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated |
| 17 | BETHLEHEM JUNIOR ACADEMY
Private
229 students · Kindergarten–7th | Not Rated |
| 18 | BROWARD CHILDREN'S CENTER INC
Private
25 students · Kindergarten–4th | Not Rated |
| 19 | DELMAR ARTS ACADEMY
Private
21 students · Pre-K–3rd | Not Rated |
| 20 | KLA SCHOOL OF FORT LAUDERDALE
Private
6 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
| 21 | 13 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated |
| 22 | HAPPYLAND DAY SCHOOL
Private
13 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,238 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 1,589 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 | ||
| 3 | 681 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | LEADERSHIP PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Private
25 students · 6th–7th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 515 students · 6th–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 2 | 76 students · 6th–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 3 | 2,182 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 4 | 1,328 students · 9th–12th | 3.5 | ||
| 5 | 2,199 students · 6th–12th | 3.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL
Private
1,036 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL
Private
2,045 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 147 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 120 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 43 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 1,270 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
Private
849 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | HOLY TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
169 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 83 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | REFINE LEARNING CENTER II, INC.
Private
70 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 181 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ACADEMY
Private
68 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | PERMISSION TO SUCCEED ACADEMY
Private
15 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida · 63 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 14 ZIP codes
Median Income
$80,025
Median Home Value
$475,636
Median Rent
$1,806/mo
Population
421,040
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
57%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
13.0%
Community Profile
Fort Lauderdale has a median household income of $80,025. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $475,636, with a median rent of $1,806/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Florida
- Total Schools
- 63
- Elementary
- 41
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 7
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 5.9/10
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Florida
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
How many schools are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Fort Lauderdale has 63 schools, including 31 public and 32 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fort Lauderdale is 5.9 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Fort Lauderdale on MySchoolScout is Floranada Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fort Lauderdale on MySchoolScout is Floranada Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The top-ranked middle school in Fort Lauderdale on MySchoolScout is Sunrise Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Fort Lauderdale on MySchoolScout is Cardinal Gibbons High School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Fort Lauderdale is served by 2 school districts: Broward, Manatee.
What is the education level in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Fort Lauderdale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The median household income in Fort Lauderdale is approximately $80,025 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Yes, Fort Lauderdale has 32 private schools alongside 31 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Jerome Catholic School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fort Lauderdale is 14.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Florida Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.