The non-profit Success Academy, based in New York, is set to launch elementary school classes within five public high schools in Miami-Dade starting next school year, with two of these schools located in Hialeah, as reported by NBC6.
The chosen schools include Westland Hialeah Senior High, Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High, Homestead Senior High, North Miami Senior High, and Miami Jackson Senior High.
This initiative is enabled by a state policy on co-location, which mandates that districts with under-enrolled schools must allocate space to authorized charter operators.
At Westland Hialeah, renovations are already underway: a wing of the building is being transformed with bright colors and child-friendly furniture, and the library has been converted into classrooms to accommodate the new school.
Initially, the school will offer kindergarten and first grade, with plans to gradually expand through fifth grade.
Ensuring a Safe Environment for Students
Maleena Guandique, the appointed head for Success Academy Westland Hialeah, assured parents about the separation from high school students, stating, "I want parents to know that their children will be entirely isolated from the high school students; we will have different lunch schedules and separate spaces."
Guandique further emphasized the educational approach of the academy, highlighting, "We place a significant focus on chess. It teaches our students to be strategic, anticipate their opponent, and have confidence in their decisions."
What Success Academy Offers Families
The charter school provides free uniforms, complimentary after-school care until 5:20 p.m. daily, and English instruction for those in need.
Enrollment is now open. To enter kindergarten, children must turn five before September 1, 2027. Admission will be determined through a random lottery scheduled for January 12, 2027.
Interested families can reach out to Success Academy Florida via phone at (786) 673-0380.
Controversy Over Costs and Union Opposition
Success Academy will compensate the district $700 per student to cover maintenance, cleaning, and other shared expenses.
Antonio White, president of the United Teachers of Dade (UTD) union, expressed disapproval of this amount, stating, "That doesn't even come close to the actual cost of running a school."
White went on to describe the agreement as a "gift from Tallahassee" to a competing system, adding, "It's like letting the fox into the henhouse. We're essentially operating two different systems in the same space, and only one is paying the price."
Superintendent Rafael Villalobos responded with confidence in the district's offerings, asserting, "I need to ensure we have the best product, and while I know we do, we need to go out and show it to the parents."
Current Challenges Facing Miami-Dade Schools
The introduction of Success Academy comes at a critical juncture for the district. Miami-Dade began the 2026-2027 school year with 215,078 students, down from 230,172 the previous year, marking a loss of over 15,000 students in just one year and about 31,000 over two years.
This decline is partly due to a significant drop in immigrant students: from over 22,000 new foreign-born students in the 2022-2023 school year to just around 3,000 before 2026, many of whom are Cuban and primarily located in Hialeah.
On the same Thursday, the district identified five additional schools that could face closure, though the final vote was postponed to March 2027. Meanwhile, Broward is experiencing its fifth consecutive year of decline and is considering closing 10 more campuses, with a vote scheduled for December, according to WSVN.
The Miami-Dade School Board approved the co-location plan in April 2026 and reaffirmed a five-year performance contract in October, effective from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2032, allowing for a maximum capacity of 3,990 students across the five centers, with an initial enrollment of approximately 1,400 students planned.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charter Schools in Miami-Dade
Why are charter schools being introduced in Miami-Dade?
Charter schools are being introduced to utilize under-enrolled public school spaces and offer alternative educational options to meet diverse community needs.
What benefits does Success Academy provide to students and families?
Success Academy offers free uniforms, after-school care, and English instruction, aiming to enhance educational accessibility and support for families.
What is the controversy surrounding the introduction of charter schools?
The controversy stems from the perceived financial burden on public schools and the differing operational costs covered by charter schools, as well as union opposition to the arrangement.