Key Biscayne K-8 Center is facing a severe drop in middle school enrollment, with only 12 sixth-graders enrolled and the entire sixth- through eighth-grade population shrinking to 52 students — just 10% of the overall student body.

State Test Scores Show Wide Gap Between Elementary, Middle Grades

Education Advisory Board Chair Robert Duzoglou outlined the metrics to the Village Council, highlighting a notable contrast in state assessment data between the elementary and middle grades. In math, 90% of Pre-K through fifth-grade students met or exceeded proficiency standards, whereas 70% of middle school students scored below proficiency. Reading assessments reflected a similar gap, with 78% of elementary students testing proficient compared to 58% testing below standard in middle school.

Families Leave for MAST Academy After Fifth Grade

While the school maintains an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education with more than 750 students overall, enrollment drops significantly after fifth grade as families move students to MAST Academy on Virginia Key. Duzoglou noted that parents are choosing to stay within the public school system, specifically targeting MAST Academy.

Village Considers Revising MAST Academy Agreement

To address the decline, Duzoglou asked the council to review the Village's interlocal agreement with Miami-Dade County Public Schools regarding MAST Academy. Under the current agreement, Key Biscayne holds a priority allocation of approximately 450 seats per academic year across MAST's Cambridge programs. Duzoglou proposed exploring options to delay or restructure middle school entry points to keep local students enrolled at the K-8 Center through eighth grade.

Mayor-Elect Calls Transition a 'Mass Exodus'

Mayor-elect Brett Moss voiced similar concerns at a local Rotary Club meeting, referring to the post-fifth-grade transition as a "mass exodus" and highlighting the social impact on students as friend groups split up. Moss suggested coordinating with district officials to evaluate MAST's entry points.

School Seeks More Village Funding, Launches Fundraising Campaign

On the budget front, Duzoglou requested the council increase Village funding support for the K-8 Center from $50,000 to $140,000 to strengthen middle school curriculum offerings. Meanwhile, the school's Parent-Teacher-Student Association launched the "Shark Impact Circle" campaign with a goal of raising $324,000 to fund math and reading interventionists, expanded STEM programming, and additional instructional support.

Next Steps

The Village Council has scheduled upcoming budget hearings to consider funding requests, while discussions surrounding the MAST Academy interlocal agreement remain ongoing with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.