Miami Palmetto Senior High School

Palmetto has great academics and a huge slate of clubs, sports and extracurriculars. The facilities will be updated under the new bond. It's great having my kid in my neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

As with any school, some things about Palmetto are less than perfect. It's not the cleanest place and there are a lot of students. However, I am currently in my third year at Palmetto and I absolutely love it. If you are a good student, or at least show effort/respect towards your teachers and peers here they will go out of their way to help you. Involved students get the most out of their high school experience - any kids who don't like Palmetto probably wouldn't be happy at almost any school in the area. I chose to go to Palmetto over any private school that was offered to me. I chose Palmetto for their reputation as a competitive school in regards to grades, sports (some more than others) and productions (TVP, Yearbook, and my personal favorite - Newspaper). My teachers love their jobs and want to see students show pride in everything they do. The uniform is casual - your choice of spirit shirt (most every club has one per year so there are tons to choose from) and jeans - it's no big deal/inconvenience. My only issue is that school starts too early, but that's not Palmetto's fault.
—Submitted by a student

I am potential parent of this school. My son possible will go to this school soon he is studying in Shenzhen, China, but in the international class which is especially preparing the student to study in US at grade 12. For all the information I got from the internet, it is sure a very good school.

I am an alumni, and I have two younger siblings who are alumni. If you are self motivated and have great support at home, you'll do well here, and rise above the filth. If you are from the Pinecrest or Palmetto Bay community, you'll find a culture shock from the disgusting Perrine and Cutler Ridge(Bay.. whatever they call it now) community which invades this school. There are bad students who are bused in, but the reality is the "gang" mentality comes form the administration at the school who are low class. Disgusting security guards and uneducated office staff ruin the school and hurt the student population. They smile and put on a nice face for parents and visitors, but they treat students disrespectfully and show a force of strength comparable to a prison yard. If your child is unprepared for the hard street mentality here, they might be damaged. On positive notes, majority of teachers are intelligent, well mannered and care about the students. Half of the students are also bright and come form good homes. 4/5 stars because sadly this school is better than most of the rest of Miami, but only because of the good families in the area.

this school has a lot of hypocracy among girls. also the staff dosn't work like their suppose too. also the school is overcrowded. and the people are rude.
—Submitted by a parent

I thought Palmetto was different, I thought it wasn't like southridge, but it is, your better off going to a private school, and if you can't afford it, try getting into Coral Reef, This school is nothing special.

The school has gone downhill. There is a uniform, although it is not enforced unless you are wearing shorts. Forget the boys who have their boxers hanging out and girls who show off their bras, but if you're wearing shorts you're in trouble. Some of the teachers don't know how to teach and get annoyed when students ask for help. The school is disgusting. I once had a roach climb out from my locker. All the money is spent on the tv program at school, and I do like to know what is going on in the school, but I would also like to have some toilet paper in the bathroom ("They can't afford any") and would not like to walk into the bathroom and see a soap dispenser in the toilet for a week, even after it's been reported. The office staff do not help parents unless you yell across the desk for them repeatedly. It's a terrible school and really needs to get itself together.

Miami Palmetto High School is consistently in the top 100 of "Forbes" best schools in the United States. Children can get the most or the least out of any school. As a 1962 graduate, let me remind you that dress codes back then were very restrictive -- and I'm sure today's standards would both shock and appall me. Go, Miami Palmetto - Go Panthers!

The last three reviews are so over exaggerated. I have worked there for 10 years. We are the best comprehensive high school in Dade County and maybe the state. We don't choose our students. The reviewer who spoke of our girls dress is exaggerating. Our "easy" dress code is enforced and there are no pool party dressing. The phone policy is fantastic and yes some teachers are inconsistent, but it is better than the students constantly talking on the phone. Finally, our office staff is the very best. The person who spoke of the rudeness probably did not get what they wanted. Are we perfect...no, but we are very good at what we do.
—Submitted by a teacher

THIS SCHOOL IS AWfUL DO NOT I INSIST DO NOT GO HERE OR PUT YOUR KIDS HERE !!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is terrible, the faculty, staff, administrators don't pay attention to the students who need extra help. The office faculty have bad attitudes, they sit around acting like they're doing their jobs when they're reallly not.. The girls walk around and dress in clothes as if they were in a pool party. This school is overcrowded as well, don't put your children in this school, you'll regret it. Staff is rude.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a senior in this school. All my teachers are nice except one. She is really rude and disrespectful. I walked in the class putting my phone away and she saw me and demanded me to give it to her. I asked her, "Are you gonna give it back after class?" She said "No, I'm gonna give it to the principal and your parents have to come and pick it up." I was really angry when I heard that, because I don't live around the corner, we live really far from the school and my parents work. So the teacher wrote me up and I had to sit in CSI (indoor suspension) for 3 days and supposedly was gonna get my phone back the next day in the afternoon. when I went to pick it up, the receptionist in the front of the office who is also really rude and sarcastic said I am supposed to get it back after 5 days or before if my parents come pick it up. That is not with the admin told me, this school exaggerates with the phone policy. Give me a break.

i think this school is bad and people are not doing there jobs right, and they are not polite towards the parents that walk in. iv'e witnessed i myself have been treated unproffessionally by the lady that sits in the front office. they have the students running the office while the staff runs there mouth off somebody needs to look in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Despite school appearances, the cream of the crop of Miami-Dade seems to find themselves at Palmetto. With a large selection of remarkably challenging AP classes such as Chemistry, Physics, Calculus BC, European History, Biology, etc, the elite students shine. The amount of frighteningly intelligent teenagers at this school is enough to make even your brightest son or daughter seem like any other average joe/jane. Unfortunately, Palmetto's strengths are not unchallenged. Competition in higher level classes is fierce creating demoralized students, the school's facilities, supplies and amazing teachers are in short supply, and the large amount of students who do not care for school bring the safety and quality of Palmetto down, while bringing the average class size up. Another flaw at MPSH is the counselor arrangement. There are FOUR counselors at Palmetto, one dedicated for 9th, and three for 10-12th grade. Do not expect one-on-one time very often. The idea to keep in mind for Palmetto is: if you want a personal experience with the staff, don't look for it here. Go to a private school instead.

My four kids graduated from Miami-Palmetto High School and I feel they got one of the best educations they could receive in public high school in Miami.
—Submitted by a parent

Why wasn't my original review posted? I did not have a favorable post for this school as I see most that have commented don't either. My son started two days ago as a freshman and I am so disgusted with the administration of that school. The pure arrogance of the couselors and principal
—Submitted by a parent

My sons school is a great school to attend and they keep you informed with pta meetings, activities, the class work and my sons love there school and respect there administrators...
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated in 2009 in the top 5% and am now at UF. The school is filthy and dilapidated but the students are the brightest in Miami. Nearly all of the problems facing the school are due to the fact that it is part of MDCPS. Miami-Dade County is a desperately poor place and so is its huge school district. Most of the teachers are great but unfortunately many of the best are leaving. The school gets its good name from its students. The high test scores have very little to do with the teachers or the school. Put any school in a highly educated, affluent neighborhood and the students will find a way to excel. If you are highly motivated, this school can get you in to the college of your dreams. But, if you are still an immature kid try a daycare i.e. private school. No hand holding here.
—Submitted by a student

Our mission at Miami Palmetto Senior High is to challenge our students to achieve and demonstrate excellence, integrity, and responsibility. Our Mission statement: VIS PER SCIENTIAM Strength through Knowledge says it all.
—Submitted by a teacher

It busses in kids and is a school of have and have nots and does well giving opportunity to those who want it.