Average
#2073 of 3,777 schools in FL
Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy
Elementary School · MIAMI-DADE
12225 SW 280TH ST, Homestead, FL 33032
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Homestead
#21 of 44
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,577 of 2,196
In district
#274 of 497
MIAMI-DADE
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy
Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy is a public school in Homestead, Florida, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With 747 students and 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, offering a moderate class size environment within a large suburban setting. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance.
Currently, proficiency rates stand at 30% in both English language arts and math across all grades, indicating significant room for academic growth. These performance levels place the school in the 15th percentile statewide, reflecting challenges that the school community is addressing. Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy's mixed-grade configuration allows younger students to benefit from being in the same building as older peers, while the school focuses on supporting student development and achievement.
The large suburban area surrounding the school offers families a residential community setting, making it a neighborhood option for parents seeking a local public school choice for their children from early childhood through middle school.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy — Students at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy Compares
See how Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 18% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
12225 SW 280TH ST, Homestead, FL 33032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE CHARTER SCHOOL AT WATERSTONE (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOMERSET ACADEMY SILVER PALMS AT PRINCETON (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUMMERVILLE ADVANTAGE ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Homestead, see our Homestead schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,995
Median Home Value
$374,700
Median Rent
$1,626/mo
Population
62,021
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
59.3%
Avg Commute
39.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy has a median household income of $74,995. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,700, with a median rent of $1,626/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC ACADEMY Altamonte Springs, FL | 6.2 |
| BAY LAKE ELEMENTARY Windermere, FL | 6.2 |
| COTEE RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL | 6.2 |
| DALE R FAIR BABSON PARK ELEMENTARY Babson Park, FL | 6.2 |
| DEER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL | 6.2 |
| DR N H JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala, FL | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy
What grades does Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy serve?
Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy?
Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy has an enrollment of approximately 747 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy rank in FL?
Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy is ranked #2073 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy has 29.5% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy a charter school?
No, Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy a Title I school?
No, Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy?
74.0% of students at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,174/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 747
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Miami-Dade County
- Phone
- (305) 257-0377
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MIAMI-DADE- District Enrollment
- 335,500
- Schools in District
- 536
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,066
- District Rank
- #274 of 497
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.
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