TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL vs SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET
SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET has a higher overall rating of 9.6/10 compared to 8.4/10. In math proficiency, SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET leads at 90.0%.
TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Miami, FL
406 students
SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET
Miami, FL
432 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.4 / 10 | 9.6 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.7 | 9.8 |
| Growth Score | 7.7 | 9.7 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 58.1% | 46.5% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 9.1 |
| State Rank | #492 of 3,778 | #20 of 3,778 |
| State Percentile | 87th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 72.0% | 90.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 68.0% | 69.5% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Kindergarten – 8th |
| Enrollment | 406 | 432 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13.5:1 | 16.6:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 58.1% | 46.5% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 12.6% | 11.1% |
| District | MIAMI-DADE | MIAMI-DADE |
| City | Miami | Miami |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Miami (33165) | Miami (33176) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $84,086 | $80,437 |
| Median Home Value | $476,100 | $568,400 |
| Median Rent | $1,796 | $1,666 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 28.4% | 43.0% |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 10.9% |
| Avg Commute | 30 min | 31 min |
The data story: TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL vs SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET
Somerset Preparatory Academy Sunset holds a meaningful edge in overall rating, scoring 9.4/10 against Tropical Elementary School's 9.1/10 — a 0.3-point gap that understates the distance in state standings. Somerset Preparatory Academy Sunset ranks #17 of 3,777 Florida schools while Tropical Elementary School ranks #67 of 3,777, placing Somerset in the top 0.5% of the state compared to Tropical's already-strong top 2%.
The academic score delta is the sharpest data point separating these two schools. Somerset Preparatory Academy Sunset scores 9.9/10 in academics against Tropical Elementary School's 8.1/10 — a 1.8-point gap on a 10-point scale. That difference is not reflected in growth scores, where both schools are exactly matched at 9.4/10. Tropical Elementary is producing a year-plus of learning progress per student, the same rate as Somerset, meaning its lower academic score reflects where students start, not how quickly they advance once enrolled.
Tropical Elementary School serves 406 students with a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio and 58% of students on free or reduced lunch. Somerset Preparatory Academy Sunset enrolls 432 students at a 16.6:1 ratio with 46% qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Tropical's smaller class sizes and higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students shape its instructional environment differently, and its equivalent growth score despite a wider FRL share suggests strong instructional effectiveness per student.
The structural difference between these schools extends beyond test scores. Tropical Elementary School is a traditional public school covering pre-K through 5th grade, giving families an earlier entry point. Somerset Preparatory Academy Sunset is a charter school spanning kindergarten through 8th grade — parents who enroll in kindergarten can keep their child in one building through middle school without a transition. The two campuses sit 4.1 miles apart in Miami, both accessible to families in the same general area.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
TROPICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Tropical Elementary School fits families who want a traditional public school with smaller class sizes (13.5:1) and an earlier pre-K entry point. Its 9.4/10 growth score means students make strong academic gains regardless of where they start — a good match for families prioritizing a nurturing, neighborhood-school environment over peak academic rankings.
SOMERSET PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUNSET
Somerset Preparatory Academy Sunset suits families prioritizing top-tier academic achievement and long-term school continuity. Its #17 statewide rank, 9.9/10 academic score, and KG–8 span mean a child can enter kindergarten and stay through middle school in a single high-performing charter environment — with no transition year and no search for a middle school.