5 Key Facts About Kensington Park Elementary Miami FL: The 2025 Academic Spotlight
Kensington Park Elementary School in Miami, Florida, is more than just a local school; it is a dynamic educational hub for the Central Region of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) that is currently undergoing significant academic and programmatic evolution. As of the December 2025 update, the school, known as the "Home of the Lions," is actively implementing new curricula and leveraging its unique magnet programs to address student performance and community engagement.
Serving students from Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through 5th Grade, the school is a microcosm of the diverse community it serves, focusing on foundational education while integrating advanced science and language programs. This article provides an in-depth look at the school's current status, leadership, academic performance, and the cutting-edge programs defining its 2024-2025 school year.
Kensington Park Elementary: At-a-Glance Profile (2024-2025)
Kensington Park Elementary is a cornerstone institution within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system, dedicated to fostering a supportive and rigorous learning environment for its young students. Here is a detailed profile of the school's key entities and data points for the current academic year.
- School Name: Kensington Park Elementary School (KPE)
- M-DCPS School Number: 2661
- Address: 711 NW 30th Avenue, Miami, FL 33125
- Phone Number: 305-649-2811
- Principal: Michelle Fernandez
- Assistant Principal: De'Etra Anderson
- Grades Served: Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through 5th Grade
- Region: Central Region, Miami-Dade County
- Total Enrollment: Approximately 966 students (based on October 2023 data)
- School Mascot: The Lions
- Key Programs: STEM/STEAM, VEX IQ Robotics, ESOL, EFL (Dual Language), Gifted, Special Education
Academic Performance and New Initiatives for 2025
The academic landscape at Kensington Park Elementary is currently a mix of significant challenges and promising new initiatives aimed at elevating student success. While the school is recognized for its comprehensive programming, it faces the reality of academic ranking that necessitates focused improvement efforts.
Addressing the Academic Challenge
According to recent reports, Kensington Park Elementary is currently ranked within the bottom 50% of all public schools in Florida, a statistic that underscores the critical need for the new academic strategies being implemented by M-DCPS. The 2024-2025 proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) for key grade levels highlight this challenge, with 3rd grade ELA proficiency at 45%, 4th grade at 37%, and 5th grade at 39%. These figures are below the county and state averages, making the school’s focus on literacy and foundational skills a top priority for Principal Michelle Fernandez and her staff.
The Introduction of Reading Horizons
In a direct response to the need for improved literacy outcomes, the 2024-2025 school year has seen the introduction of the Reading Horizons curriculum. This new program is a significant, system-wide investment designed to provide students with structured, explicit phonics instruction. The goal is to build stronger reading foundations, particularly for the large population of students who may be English Language Learners (ELL) or require specialized reading support. The successful implementation of Reading Horizons is a key metric for the school's performance this year.
Community and Parent Engagement
A crucial component of the 2024-2025 strategy involves boosting parental involvement. The school has actively encouraged parents and families to complete the M-DCPS Title I Parent/Family Engagement Survey. As a Title I school, Kensington Park Elementary relies heavily on federal funding and community feedback to tailor its resources and programs effectively. High participation in this survey ensures that the school’s efforts align with the needs and priorities of the families it serves, creating a more cohesive educational partnership.
Cutting-Edge STEM and Dual Language Programs
Despite the academic hurdles in core subjects, Kensington Park Elementary distinguishes itself through a robust offering of specialized programs, notably in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as comprehensive language instruction.
The STEM/STEAM Designation and VEX IQ Robotics
KPE holds a coveted STEM/STEAM Designation, indicating a commitment to integrating science and arts across the curriculum. This focus is brought to life through hands-on activities, most notably the VEX IQ Robotics program. VEX IQ allows students to design, build, and program robots, developing critical thinking, teamwork, and complex problem-solving skills from an early age. The school's participation in the Fairchild Challenge Award further solidifies its commitment to environmental science and hands-on learning, encouraging students to engage with real-world ecological issues.
Multilingual Education: ESOL and EFL
Reflecting Miami’s diverse cultural landscape, Kensington Park Elementary offers extensive multilingual support. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program is mandatory for students whose home language is not English and who are classified as less proficient in the language. This program provides the necessary scaffolding for students to succeed in all content areas.
Furthermore, the school operates an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Program. This dual language approach emphasizes the teaching of both language arts and curriculum content in English and another language, often Spanish. This model not only supports language acquisition but also fosters bilingualism and biculturalism, making graduates highly competitive in a globalized world. The combination of ESOL and EFL ensures that the school caters to the full spectrum of language needs within its student body, a critical entity for the school's success.
Support Services and Future Outlook
To ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive, Kensington Park Elementary maintains a strong focus on specialized support services.
- Gifted Program: The school offers specialized Gifted content area courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Reading, and Language Arts for high-achieving students, providing them with an enriched and accelerated curriculum.
- Special Education: Comprehensive Special Education services are provided to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, ensuring they receive individualized instruction and support within the general education setting as much as possible.
The 2025 outlook for Kensington Park Elementary is one of determined progress. With the new Reading Horizons curriculum in place, a continued commitment to high-tech VEX IQ and STEM programs, and a strong focus on community engagement through the Title I Survey, the school is poised for a concerted effort to improve its academic standing. The collective dedication of the staff, led by Principal Michelle Fernandez, and the support of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system are the driving forces behind the "Lions'" journey toward greater success in the years to come.
Detail Author:
- Name : Juliet Monahan
- Username : flatley.kendra
- Email : chanelle.white@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 2001-05-30
- Address : 754 Corine Square Ladariustown, SC 78416-0027
- Phone : (854) 462-5314
- Company : Morar Group
- Job : Construction Manager
- Bio : Sed dolores modi quia fuga. Porro nihil corporis magni autem ullam dolorum. Et tempore animi ipsam fuga.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/bayleenolan
- username : bayleenolan
- bio : Reiciendis porro vel deserunt quia.
- followers : 2223
- following : 2448
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/baylee.nolan
- username : baylee.nolan
- bio : Eius ut repellat voluptatibus tempora. Eum nihil qui soluta. Distinctio cumque inventore soluta est et qui. Consectetur voluptatem cumque nam odit.
- followers : 2336
- following : 1909
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/baylee_nolan
- username : baylee_nolan
- bio : Ex sed similique sunt sit. Sed omnis molestiae explicabo id.
- followers : 191
- following : 1350
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@baylee_nolan
- username : baylee_nolan
- bio : Eveniet ea tenetur autem qui expedita beatae.
- followers : 2369
- following : 2569
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/nolan1992
- username : nolan1992
- bio : Ut expedita vel repudiandae optio tempore. Excepturi quae qui non ea.
- followers : 3139
- following : 2820
