Skip to main content

Average

#1504 of 3,778 schools in FL

Top 40% in state

John A. Ferguson Senior High

High School · MIAMI-DADE

15900 SW 56TH ST, Miami, FL 33185

Enrollment

4,389

Student-Teacher

26.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#1,504 of 3,778

In Miami

#153 of 280

public schools

In district

#259 of 497

MIAMI-DADE

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around John A. Ferguson Senior High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

John A. Ferguson Senior High

6.8/10

High School in Miami · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dr. Manuel C. Barreiro Elementary School

9.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

U.s. International Christian Academy

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John A. Ferguson Senior High

John A. Ferguson Senior High is a public high school in Miami, FL, part of MIAMI-DADE. John A.

Ferguson Senior High serves approximately 4,389 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 26.8:1 student-teacher ratio. John A. Ferguson Senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,504 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for John A. Ferguson Senior High show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

What's said publicly about John A. Ferguson Senior High

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

John A. Ferguson Senior High School is a public high school located at 15900 SW 56th Street in Kendall West, Florida 2 . It operates as a certified magnet and academy school within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system 2 . The institution primarily serves the outer portion of the Kendall West suburb 2 . Rafael Villalobos served as the school's principal from 2003 until 2021 2 . Wendy Barnett assumed the role of principal in 2021 2 .
Sources (2)
  1. ferguson.dadeschools.net
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • FL avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

John A. Ferguson Senior High is a large school: 4,389 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

John A. Ferguson Senior High runs 26.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

32% of students at John A. Ferguson Senior High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5% (2024 FAST)
Reading vs. State Avg+16.9 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness9.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate99%+
AP Participation24.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,066
Chronic Absenteeism31.5%

John A. Ferguson Senior High — Students at John A. Ferguson Senior High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.7% (2024 FAST)

Based on 28 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
81%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
64%
2024
ELA
69.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How John A. Ferguson Senior High Compares

See how John A. Ferguson Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in FL
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
164 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
24.9% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·359 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

15900 SW 56TH ST, Miami, FL 33185

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John A. Ferguson Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. PINECREST PREPARATORY ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, G. HOLMES BRADDOCK SENIOR HIGH (rated 4.7/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Miami, see our Miami schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
DR. MANUEL C. BARREIRO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami 0.5 mi 9.2
U.S. INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Miami 0.5 mi
LAMAR LOUISE CURRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami 0.6 mi 5.3
BOWMAN ASHE/DOOLIN K-8 ACADEMY Miami 0.7 mi 8.1
LITTLE PROMISES DAYCARELEARNING CENTER Miami 0.8 mi
LAGO MAR PRESCHOOL I Miami 1.0 mi
JANE S. ROBERTS K-8 CENTER Miami 1.1 mi 8.7
DANTE B. FASCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami 1.3 mi 8.3
PINECREST ACADEMY CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami 1.5 mi 8.8
PINECREST PREPARATORY ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Miami 1.5 mi 7.1
PINECREST ACADEMY (SOUTH CAMPUS) Miami 1.7 mi 8.8
FUTURE LEADERS ACADEMY OF KENDALL CORP Miami 1.8 mi 4.3
ETHEL KOGER BECKHAM K-8 CENTER Miami 1.7 mi 8.8
KIDS ADVENTURE LEARNING CENTER Miami 1.8 mi
MOT ACADEMY Miami 1.8 mi 6.7
M.O.T. ACADEMY Miami 1.8 mi 6.7
KINGDOM ACADEMY Miami 2.0 mi 5.1
G. HOLMES BRADDOCK SENIOR HIGH Miami 2.0 mi 4.7
PINECREST PREPARATORY ACADEMY Miami 2.0 mi 7.7
MIAMI BAPTIST SCHOOL Miami 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33185 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,146

Median Home Value

$496,700

Median Rent

$2,769/mo

Population

29,124

College Educated

38.9%

Homeownership

79.8%

Avg Commute

38.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

42.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
LAKE NONA HIGH Orlando, FL 6.8
PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Wellington, FL 6.7
CYPRESS BAY HIGH SCHOOL Weston, FL 6.9
EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Clermont, FL 6.6
FLORIDA VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL Orlando, FL 6.6
BARBARA GOLEMAN SENIOR HIGH Miami Lakes, FL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John A. Ferguson Senior High

What grades does John A. Ferguson Senior High serve?

John A. Ferguson Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend John A. Ferguson Senior High?

John A. Ferguson Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 4,389 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John A. Ferguson Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at John A. Ferguson Senior High is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John A. Ferguson Senior High rank in FL?

John A. Ferguson Senior High ranks #1,504 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is John A. Ferguson Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

John A. Ferguson Senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at John A. Ferguson Senior High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John A. Ferguson Senior High has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John A. Ferguson Senior High a charter school?

No, John A. Ferguson Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John A. Ferguson Senior High a Title I school?

No, John A. Ferguson Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John A. Ferguson Senior High?

44.0% of students at John A. Ferguson Senior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
4,389
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
164
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Miami-Dade County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.5%
4-Year Graduation
99%+

District

MIAMI-DADE
District Enrollment
335,500
Schools in District
536
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,066
District Rank
#259 of 497

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.