The Village of Pinecrest and the Village of Palmetto Bay have been known for great schools. There are some residents that moved to these areas just to be in those school districts. 
According to the A+ Plan for Education, schools are assigned a grade, primarily based on student achievement data from the FCAT. The grades are calculated based on the annual learning gains of each student toward achievement of state standards, the progress of the lowest 25% of students and meeting proficiency standards.
School grades use a point system. Schools are awarded 1 point for each percent of students who score high on the FCAT and/or make annual learning gains. For an “A,” a school has to be awarded 525 or more points. For a “B” 495 or more, for a “C” 435 or more points, a “D” 395 or more, and anything less than 395 scores an “F.”
Students who attend a public school that has received an “F” two years in a 4-year period are also eligible for Opportunity Scholarships to attend another public school or private school of their choice. Transportation may be an issue, but there is a choice.
Here’s a list of the public schools and how they scored for the last 4 years that have districts that include all or part of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, or Cutler Bay. For a full list of schools, grades and much more information about each school, visit the Miami-Dade County Public Schools website. The Assessment, Research, and Data Analysis page has a link to the 2008-09 School Performance Grades.
| Village of Pinecrest | ||||
| 09 | 08 | 07 | 06 | |
| PINECREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| HOWARD DRIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | B |
| PALMETTO MIDDLE SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| MIAMI PALMETTO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | A | A | B | A |
| Village of Palmetto Bay | ||||
| 09 | 08 | 07 | 06 | |
| CORAL REEF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| FRANK CRAWFORD MARTIN K-8 CENTER | A | A | A | A |
| HOWARD DRIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | B |
| PERRINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| WHISPERING PINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| CUTLER RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL | C | C | C | A |
| SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| CORAL REEF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | A | A | B | A |
| MIAMI PALMETTO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | A | A | B | A |
| Cutler Bay | ||||
| 09 | 08 | 07 | 06 | |
| BEL-AIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | C | C | B |
| CARIBBEAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | C | D | C | C |
| CUTLER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| DR. EDWARD L. WHIGHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | B | B | C | A |
| GULFSTREAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | B | C | B |
| WHISPERING PINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL | C | C | C | B |
| CUTLER RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL | C | C | C | A |
| SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL | A | A | A | A |
| CORAL REEF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | A | A | B | A |
| MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE SENIOR HIGH | F | D | F | D |
