South Miami Senior High School is a high school located at 6856 SW 53rd Street in Glenvar Heights, unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, in the United States; located about a mile and a half west of the University of Miami. Its current principal is Mr. Hebert Penton.
Serving 1,576 students in grades 9-12, South Miami Senior High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 26% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 37% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Florida state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,576 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 84% (Btm 50% in FL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 26% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 37% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 37% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Overview
South Miami Senior High School's student population of 1,576 students has declined by 19% over five school years.
The teacher population of 77 teachers has declined by 20% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,576 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
77 teachers
Year Founded
1971
Colors
Brown, Orange
School Rankings
South Miami Senior High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,704 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Miami Senior High School is 0.13, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3143 out of 3704 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
3%
Hispanic
93%
37%
Black
3%
21%
White
3%
35%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
84%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
48%
47%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Cobra
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Miami Senior High School's ranking?
South Miami Senior High School is ranked #3143 out of 3,704 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are South Miami Senior High School often compared to?
South Miami Senior High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Southwest Miami Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
26% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 37% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
What is the graduation rate of South Miami Senior High School?
The graduation rate of South Miami Senior High School is 84%, which is lower than the Florida state average of 87%.
How many students attend South Miami Senior High School?
1,576 students attend South Miami Senior High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
93% of South Miami Senior High School students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Black, 3% of students are White, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of South Miami Senior High School?
South Miami Senior High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does South Miami Senior High School offer ?
South Miami Senior High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is South Miami Senior High School part of?
South Miami Senior High School is part of Miami-Dade School District.
School Calendar
View the South Miami Senior High School yearly calendar below.
School Reviews
Review South Miami Senior High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.