Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

Summary:

Laura C. Saunders Elementary School is a public elementary school in Homestead, Florida, serving 477 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Miami-Dade County Public School District.

While the school has a significantly higher percentage of African American (57.23%) and Hispanic (41.72%) students compared to nearby schools, it faces significant challenges. Laura C. Saunders Elementary has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 25.1% to 50.6%, which are much higher than state and district averages. Academically, the school's performance on standardized tests is significantly lower than state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 21% of 3rd-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 55% statewide and 56% in the district. Additionally, the school has an exceptionally high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 79.66% to 96.76%, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

While nearby charter schools, such as Somerset Oaks Academy, Somerset Arts Academy, and Somerset Academy Charter Elementary School (South Homestead), generally outperform Laura C. Saunders Elementary on academic measures, they still struggle to meet state and district averages, suggesting broader challenges in the local education landscape. Despite the higher spending per student at Laura C. Saunders Elementary, the school's academic performance remains significantly below state and district averages, indicating that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution to improving educational outcomes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

505 SW 8th St
Homestead, FL 33030

(305) 247-3933

District: Miami-Dade

SchoolDigger Rank:
2091^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,488

Students who attend Laura C. Saunders Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Homestead Middle School
High:	Homestead Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.9

Number of students: 477

Racial breakdown:

African American:

57.2%

Hispanic:

41.7%

White:

0.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 79.7%

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Compare Laura C. Saunders Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Laura C. Saunders Elementary School ranks worse than 92.7% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 268^th among 281 ranked elementary schools in the Miami-Dade School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.75. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (57.2%), Hispanic (41.7%), White (0.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 79.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Laura C. Saunders Elementary School is 15.9, which is the 106^th best among 281 elementary schools in the Miami-Dade School District. (See more...)

Compare Laura C. Saunders Elementary School employs 30 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Laura C. Saunders Elementary School is $14,488, which is the 97^th highest among 281 elementary schools in the Miami-Dade School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Laura C. Saunders Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Miami-Dade:

SchoolDigger ranks Miami-Dade 24^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	12.50	1530^th	1688	9.4%
2007	14.51	1599^th	1786	10.5%
2008	13.83	1626^th	1789	9.1%
2009	5.07	1795^th	1847	2.8%
2010	9.38	1815^th	1919	5.4%
2011	3.01	1965^th	1985	1.0%
2012	14.44	1786^th	1984	10.0%
2013	35.20	1350^th	2029	33.5%
2014	22.05	1706^th	2064	17.3%
2016	13.67	1893^rd	2087	9.3%
2017	26.81	1580^th	2112	25.2%
2018	17.94	1835^th	2118	13.4%
2019	15.80	1942^nd	2182	11.0%
2021	11.94	2074^th	2247	7.7%
2022	15.99	1971^st	2219	11.2%
2023	17.43	1973^rd	2240	11.9%
2024	12.75	2091^st	2256	7.3%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, August 5, 2019

My daughter since she been in Laura c Saunders is done so well since she started Close Quote

Enrollment information for Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	3	535	0	26	0	n/a	n/a	0	564
1989	4	572	0	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	612
1990	1	574	0	33	0	n/a	n/a	0	608
1991	4	572	2	34	0	n/a	n/a	0	612
1992	1	614	0	26	0	n/a	n/a	0	641
1993	2	535	0	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	556
1994	2	488	0	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	509
1995	4	489	0	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	517
1996	4	489	0	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	517
1997	5	404	2	202	0	n/a	n/a	0	613
1998	20	474	3	359	0	n/a	n/a	0	856
1999	21	517	2	441	0	n/a	n/a	0	981
2000	17	583	2	439	0	n/a	n/a	0	1041
2001	16	571	2	444	0	n/a	n/a	0	1033
2002	20	629	1	500	0	n/a	n/a	0	1150
2003	20	629	1	500	0	n/a	n/a	0	1150
2004	13	530	1	480	0	n/a	n/a	0	1024
2005	14	490	0	437	0	n/a	n/a	0	941
2006	17	468	1	438	0	n/a	n/a	0	924
2007	18	441	0	429	0	n/a	n/a	7	895
2008	11	469	1	443	0	n/a	n/a	6	930
2009	9	497	1	459	0	n/a	n/a	6	972
2010	10	431	0	396	0	n/a	n/a	2	839
2011	15	389	2	390	0	0	1	0	797
2012	15	368	1	342	0	0	0	0	726
2013	12	336	1	353	0	0	0	0	702
2014	11	356	1	365	0	1	2	0	736
2015	11	355	1	298	0	1	0	0	666
2016	9	379	1	302	0	0	1	0	692
2017	3	335	1	255	0	0	1	0	595
2018	6	340	1	249	0	0	2	0	598
2019	5	337	0	255	0	0	1	0	598
2020	8	348	1	256	0	0	1	0	614
2021	3	313	1	207	0	0	1	0	525
2022	5	311	0	227	1	0	0	0	544
2023	4	273	0	199	1	0	0	0	477

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	564	37.0	15.2	77.3
1989	612	39.0	15.6	95.9
1990	608	36.0	16.8	93.3
1991	612	34.0	18.0	94.4
1992	641	35.0	18.3	87.7
1993	556	32.0	17.4	41
1994	509	33.0	15.4	95.1
1995	517	32.0	16.2	95
1996	517	32.0	16.2	95
1997	613	37.0	16.6	94.9
1998	856	48.0	17.8	95
1999	981	55.0	17.8	94.9
2000	1041	57.0	18.3	99.5
2001	1033	61.0	16.9	99.2
2002	1150	74.0	15.5	98.9
2003	1150	74.0	15.5	98.9
2004	1024	64.0	16.0	99.7
2005	941	70.0	13.4	99.5
2006	924	72.0	12.8	92.2
2007	895	71.0	12.6	94.8
2008	930	74.5	12.5	96.1
2009	972	63.2	15.4	96.3
2010	839	61.0	13.7	97.3
2011	797	57.0	13.9	99.2
2012	726	51.0	14.2	99.4
2013	702	49.0	14.3	99.6
2014	736	49.0	15.0	99.6
2015	666	47.0	14.1	99.7
2016	692	47.0	14.7	99.1
2017	595	43.0	13.8	97.5
2018	598	42.0	14.2	94.3
2019	598	39.0	15.3	97.2
2020	614	38.0	16.1	97.2
2021	525	37.0	14.1	96.8
2022	544	35.0	15.5	94.5
2023	477	30.0	15.9	79.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	564	37.0	15.2	77.3
1989	612	39.0	15.6	95.9
1990	608	36.0	16.8	93.3
1991	612	34.0	18.0	94.4
1992	641	35.0	18.3	87.7
1993	556	32.0	17.4	41
1994	509	33.0	15.4	95.1
1995	517	32.0	16.2	95
1996	517	32.0	16.2	95
1997	613	37.0	16.6	94.9
1998	856	48.0	17.8	95
1999	981	55.0	17.8	94.9
2000	1041	57.0	18.3	99.5
2001	1033	61.0	16.9	99.2
2002	1150	74.0	15.5	98.9
2003	1150	74.0	15.5	98.9
2004	1024	64.0	16.0	99.7
2005	941	70.0	13.4	99.5
2006	924	72.0	12.8	92.2
2007	895	71.0	12.6	94.8
2008	930	74.5	12.5	96.1
2009	972	63.2	15.4	96.3
2010	839	61.0	13.7	97.3
2011	797	57.0	13.9	99.2
2012	726	51.0	14.2	99.4
2013	702	49.0	14.3	99.6
2014	736	49.0	15.0	99.6
2015	666	47.0	14.1	99.7
2016	692	47.0	14.7	99.1
2017	595	43.0	13.8	97.5
2018	598	42.0	14.2	94.3
2019	598	39.0	15.3	97.2
2020	614	38.0	16.1	97.2
2021	525	37.0	14.1	96.8
2022	544	35.0	15.5	94.5
2023	477	30.0	15.9	79.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,478 (13.2%)	$9,692 (86.8%)	$11,170
2019	$1,179 (11.9%)	$8,727 (88.1%)	$9,905
2020	$1,158 (10.5%)	$9,854 (89.5%)	$11,012
2021	$2,529 (18.9%)	$10,820 (81.1%)	$13,349
2022	$3,016 (22.6%)	$10,313 (77.4%)	$13,328
2023	$3,527 (24.3%)	$10,961 (75.7%)	$14,488

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1942^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1973^rd of 2240 Elementary schools	0.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	25	23	2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Miami-Dade)	60	56	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	34	35	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Miami-Dade)	67	60	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	33	34	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Miami-Dade)	64	62	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	59	46	13%
4th Grade Mathematics (Miami-Dade)	69	65	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	24	38	14%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Miami-Dade)	60	59	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	48	38	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Miami-Dade)	65	54	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Laura C. Saunders Elementary School)	27	38	11%
5th Grade Science (Miami-Dade)	53	50	3%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	598	477	20.2%
African American	337	273	19%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	255	199	22%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	5	4	20%
Two or More Races	1	0	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	97.2%	79.7%	17.5%

Schools Near Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Laura C. Saunders Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	505 SW 8th St	Homestead	33030	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	No	No	Yes	(305) 247-3933	477	30	15.9	79.7%	4 (0.8%)	273 (57.2%)	199 (41.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12.8	2091^st of 2256 public elementary schools	7.3%		17.4	1973^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	11.9%	118	21.0	28.0	35.0				43.0	43.0	23.0				28.0						$14,488	$3,527	$10,961
Somerset Academy Charter Elementary School (South Homestead	Public, Charter	K-5	300 SE 1st Dr	Homestead	33030	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	Yes	(305) 245-6108	579	32	18.0	81.2%	28 (4.8%)	45 (7.8%)	498 (86.0%)	3 (0.5%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	78.4	452^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	80.0%		83.9	317^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.8%	135	72.0	76.0	68.0				78.0	65.0	66.0				56.0						$9,265	$900	$8,365
Lincoln-Marti Schools (International Campus)	Public, Charter	K-8	103 E Lucy St	Florida City	33034	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	Yes	(305) 242-3330	256	18	14.2	89.5%	7 (2.7%)	39 (15.2%)	210 (82.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53.4	1013^th of 2256 public elementary schools	55.1%		44.5	1219^th of 2240 public elementary schools	45.6%	206	38.0	41.0	46.0	54.0	74.0	58.0	76.0	78.0	66.0	88.0	87.0	68.0	39.0	31.0	100.0			78.0	$11,842	$807	$11,035
West Homestead K-8 Center	Public	PK, KG-8	1550 SW 6th St	Homestead	33030	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	No	No	Yes	(305) 248-0812	851	48	17.7	61.3%	10 (1.2%)	159 (18.7%)	681 (80.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	5.5	2218^th of 2256 public elementary schools	1.7%		11.8	2106^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.0%	112	20.0	9.0	27.0	15.0	24.0	38.0	28.0	18.0	32.0	27.0	46.0	45.0	27.0	36.0	89.0			44.0	$10,742	$2,501	$8,240
Florida City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	364 NW 6th Ave	Florida City	33034	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	No	No	Yes	(305) 247-4676	608	40	15.2	81.9%	11 (1.8%)	333 (54.8%)	251 (41.3%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.2%)	12.8	2090^th of 2256 public elementary schools	7.4%		13.6	2063^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	7.9%	27	36.0	33.0	30.0				43.0	35.0	23.0				27.0						$13,502	$2,848	$10,653
Miami Community Charter School	Public, Charter	K-5	101 S Redland Rd	Florida City	33034	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	Yes	(305) 245-2552	535	28	19.1	82.6%	2 (0.4%)	43 (8.0%)	488 (91.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24.4	1782^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	21.0%		17.5	1972^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	12.0%	190	58.0	28.0	38.0				59.0	38.0	31.0				23.0						$11,944	$1,227	$10,718
Redondo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	18480 SW 304th St	Homestead	33030	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	No	No	Yes	(305) 247-5943	500	35	14.2	66.8%	7 (1.4%)	12 (2.4%)	480 (96.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)								(n/a)	40.0						52.0												$14,619	$2,532	$12,088
Somerset Oaks Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	1000 Old Dixie Hwy	Homestead	33030	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	Yes	(305) 247-3993	624	0		94.7%	24 (3.8%)	34 (5.4%)	560 (89.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	51.5	1053^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	53.3%		53	1018^th of 2240 public elementary schools	54.6%	35	51.0	51.0	46.0	54.0	40.0	59.0	72.0	61.0	48.0	68.0	69.0	61.0	40.0	35.0	68.0		84.0	70.0	$10,219	$618	$9,600
Somerset Arts Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	1700 N Krome Ave	Homestead	33030	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	Yes	No	No	Yes	(305) 246-4949	411	0		74.0%	47 (11.4%)	21 (5.1%)	332 (80.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.9%)	75.2	520^th of 2256 public elementary schools	77.0%		59.4	855^th of 2240 public elementary schools	61.8%	335	68.0	77.0	64.0				70.0	64.0	63.0				61.0						$10,797	$487	$10,310
Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center	Public	PK, KG-8	955 SE 18th Ave	Homestead	33035	Miami-Dade County	Miami-Dade	No	No	No	Yes	(305) 257-6000	1,355	77	17.5	74.1%	51 (3.8%)	573 (42.3%)	714 (52.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (1.2%)	12.3	2101^st of 2256 public elementary schools	6.9%		17.3	1976^th of 2240 public elementary schools	11.8%	125	32.0	28.0	31.0	35.0	33.0	45.0	36.0	32.0	32.0	41.0	31.0	40.0	23.0	35.0	69.0	80.0	100.0	60.0	$11,315	$2,399	$8,917

Frequently Asked Questions about Laura C. Saunders Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Laura C. Saunders Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Laura C. Saunders Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Homestead Middle School
High : Homestead Senior High School

How many students attend Laura C. Saunders Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 477 students attended Laura C. Saunders Elementary School.

What district is Laura C. Saunders Elementary School in?

Miami-Dade

Is Laura C. Saunders Elementary School a good school?

Laura C. Saunders Elementary School ranks in the bottom 7.3% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Laura C. Saunders Elementary School?

Students at Laura C. Saunders Elementary School are 57% African American, 42% Hispanic.

Rate Laura C. Saunders Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.