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Miami Herald
28 minutes ago
- General
- Miami Herald
A parent's guide to Miami neighborhoods with A-plus schools
In Miami, great schools often signal more than just academic quality — they can reflect strong community ties, safe neighborhoods and enriching extracurricular opportunities. If you're moving with kids, zoning for top-rated public schools can be a smart way to narrow your home search. From nationally recognized elementary schools to award-winning magnet programs, these Miami neighborhoods stand out for education. School Districts in Miami Florida school districts are divided by county. All residents of the Miami metro area are zoned in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. As the third-largest school district in the country, M-DCPS serves over 330,000 students every year. Overall, the Florida Department of Education gave M-DCPS a grade of 'A' for the last three years. Because M-DCPS is such a large district, its schools are divided into three regions: North, Central and South. Each region has its own superintendent and geographical area to support. Families moving to the Miami area should consider which of these regions best meets their needs for housing, community and schools. When you're looking for homes for sale in Miami, use the M-DCPS school locator tool to see which neighborhood schools you're assigned. School Choice, Charters, and Magnet Schools Miami-Dade County Public Schools offer families a variety of educational options beyond their assigned neighborhood schools. Through its school choice program, students can apply to attend schools with specialized academic programs across the district. While all students are zoned for a neighborhood school, many of these schools include unique enrichment opportunities, such as language immersion, STEM tracks or arts integration. M-DCPS also operates a number of magnet and charter schools that serve students countywide. Charter schools and magnet schools provide more specialized programs to students, drawing from the entire area (rather than just the neighborhood). Magnet schools are public schools with specialized themes or curricula, such as performing arts, international studies, or technology. Admission is often competitive and based on an application schools are independently run public schools that may center around alternative teaching models or focus areas. These schools are tuition-free and open to all students, but admission may be limited based on capacity. Parents can find information about the school choice program from the M-DCPS website. North Region The North Region covers the neighborhoods of North Miami, Miami Lakes, parts of Hialeah, and Miami Beach. With great options for schools at every level, these three stand out for consistent 'A' rankings and a plethora of activities. North Beach Elementary School North Beach Elementary is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) school, which encourages students to become globally minded, inquiry-driven learners from a young age. The school's vision is to 'educate the whole child' and foster 'responsible citizens of the world.' Alongside consistently high academic scores, the school also received the 2025 Upstander School designation, highlighting its anti-bullying and empowering atmosphere. Hialeah Gardens Middle School As a non-magnet school, Hialeah Gardens Middle still offers an impressive array of activities and clubs for its students, from Agriscience to Law Academy. The school's vision includes fostering 'a learning environment where diversity is valued.' Barbara Goleman Senior High School Awarded the Top School of Excellence for 2025 from the American Magnet Schools Association, this magnet school for academically gifted students is a standout. Students focus on STEM fields, including Cybersecurity and Digital Marketing. The school also supports more than 50 sports and clubs. Central Region Miami's Central Region covers neighborhoods near downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Springs, West Miami, Doral, Sweetwater, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. These schools highlight Miami's strength in delivering high-quality education to a diverse student population. Coconut Grove Elementary School With both French and Spanish programs offered as part of the regular curriculum, Coconut Grove Elementary promotes academic success alongside good character. The school has received multiple 'School of Excellence' honors and holds a long-standing reputation as the first public school in Miami-Dade County. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy This K-8 school is committed to a safe learning environment where every student can succeed. The National PTA School of Excellence designation highlights the high level of community involvement. South Region – Top Miami Schools The South Region of M-DCPS includes consistently top-performing schools. In rankings of the best school district zones in Miami, the neighborhoods of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay are almost always included. While some schools in southern Miami-Dade near Homestead may have lower scores, families looking for the strongest academic zones should focus on the Pinecrest area. Pinecrest Elementary School Pinecrest Elementary receives stellar ratings across the board. From test scores to parent involvement, this K-5 school has earned an 'A' grade school for 26 consecutive years. Its list of accolades extends beyond academics. It is designated as both a 'kindness school' and a green school, highlighting that the community at Pinecrest Elementary is fully committed to excellence. Palmetto Middle School This school uses the Cambridge Academy model, which integrates traditional academics with project-based learning and inquiry. Palmetto Middle supports students' social and emotional development alongside academic success. Miami Palmetto Senior High School This top-ranking magnet school offers high school students a range of college and career tracks, including technical education and visual or performing arts, while also developing strong foundational skills. The school's goal to help students 'achieve the extraordinary' is clear through energetic community participation and consistently high academic scores. Choosing the best school for your children is a major decision, but fortunately, Miami has plenty that make the grade year after year.
CTV News
38 minutes ago
- General
- CTV News
Massive fin sighting sparks shark fears at Nova Scotia beach
Shark sightings are rare, but beachgoers are still encouraged to be shark smart. Queensland, N.S. — Wednesday morning was sunny and hot at Queensland Beach, which made for perfect Nova Scotia summer weather, when beachgoer Grant Wilkinson looked up and spotted a huge fin in the water. 'It came up, out of the water approximately two feet,' said Wilkinson, who is vacationing from Ontario. 'The lifeguards came and asked everyone to get out of the water and stay out of the water for a while.' Closing the beach was standard procedure, considering sharks are known to enter the North Atlantic waters. There were concerns the fin represented the latest chapter in shark sightings along the Nova Scotia coast. 'We usually close the beach for a couple of hours to keep an eye on it,' said N.S. Lifeguard Service Director Paul D'Eon. 'If we see nothing else, we open the beach.' Possible shark sightings and run-ins with oversized fish are nothing new in the ocean waters off Nova Scotia. On Canada Day, Nichole Elizabeth was fishing near Queensland Beach when she spotted a huge fish off the port side of her boat. 'We motored over to take a closer look,' said Elizabeth, who thought it was a shark at first glance. 'But sure enough, it was a large sunfish having a leisurely swim, as I understand they do near the surface.' Determining the species the massive fin belongs to is a tough task, especially for non-marine experts. However, shark researcher Neil Hammerschlag believes shark fears are slightly overstated. 'Sharks help control and keep balance in the ocean and keep it healthy, so that's a good thing,' said Hammerschlag. 'But sharks generally don't want to have anything to do with people.' In the off chance anyone encounters a real shark at the beach, D'Eon says there are three basic tips to keep in mind. 'Always swim in supervised areas, stay safe and listen to the lifeguards.' According to the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, last year there were as many as four reported fin sightings that could have been sharks. This was the first reported sighting of 2025.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- General
- Time of India
AI 171 Tragedy: Six families receive second set of remains
Ahmedabad: Six families of victims of the AI 171 crash on Thursday received a 'second set' of remains from the Civil Hospital. These remains were from the 16 more found at the wreckage site in Meghaninagar during post-disaster operations, and were matched with DNA samples provided by kin. This handover may mean a second funeral for some victims. A consent form had been distributed among relatives of the deceased including passengers, crew members, doctors, their relatives and local residents, sources close to the development said. "The form sought permission to carry out last rites of remains that may be found during the further clearing of the spot or during medical analysis," said an official. The six families, all from different parts of Gujarat, including Anand, Nadiad, and Ahmedabad, had asked hospital authorities to approach them in case of a DNA match. "It is rare for the same person to have more than one funeral, but in this case, the families have the DNA match and certificate of handover of the mortal remains. Thus, there will be no issue even if there is more than one funeral for the remains," added the official. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Out of the remaining ten, nine have consented to the hospital carrying out last rites, whereas a response from one family of the victim is awaited, said the sources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The sources added that the new set of remains is minuscule compared to the first. "Some have part of the body, whereas some have one or more bones. Due to the nature of the crash, it is possible that victims' bodies underwent intense distress that may have caused the fragmentation," said an official associated with the process. At the end of June, the state health department put the death toll in the disaster at 260. The figure included 229 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the ill-fated AI 141, totalling 241. The remaining 19 people lost their lives on the ground. These included four medical students, four relatives of doctors and students living at the medical hostel in Meghaninagar, and at least five residents of the locality including a couple, a child and a youth. All mortal remains were sent to forensic science laboratories for DNA matching with the existing record of relatives. All 260 matches and handing over of bodies were completed within a fortnight of the crash.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- General
- Time of India
NU freezes first year admissions to 51 colleges
1 2 3 Nagpur: The Nagpur University college section has frozen first-year admissions to 51 colleges in Nagpur city and tehsils, Wardha, Bhandara and Gondia. Out of the 51 colleges, 18 were not recommended for accepting first-year admissions for 2025-26 after the academic audit found deficiencies. Another 33 colleges had not applied for affiliation for this academic year. The list of 18 colleges includes seven from Nagpur city, while others are from Umred, Bhiwapur, Wadi, Tumsar, Bhandara, Gondia and Wardha. The 33 colleges in another list are from the same districts and tehsils. The lists are available on the university website. NU has also uploaded the final list of 407 colleges that have been granted affiliation for this academic year. These also include 20 reputed colleges that have been granted permanent affiliation. As per norms, the colleges need to have adequate teachers, infrastructure, classrooms, facilities for students etc. However, many colleges lack these basic requirements due to various factors and are not recommended for affiliation. On June 20, TOI reported about the NU publishing the list of 407 affiliated colleges but didn't give the names of errant colleges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Family Photos Are So Hilarious You Can't Miss Them HouseCultures Undo In recent years, the practice had been discontinued, leaving students susceptible to falling into the trap of errant colleges. The reality dawns upon students of such colleges only at the time of examination when hall tickets are not generated. Some students and parents enquired about an authentic source for knowing the credentials of colleges ahead of the admission season. After TOI reported this, the NU uploaded a separate list of colleges where admissions have been frozen or stopped. Acting Pro-VC Subhash Kondawar told TOI that students must take due care in opting for colleges. "Students and parents must ensure the colleges have permission and affiliation before taking admission. If admission is taken at non-affiliated colleges, then it will be at personal risk," he said. Kondawar added that the 18 colleges didn't meet the minimum requirement set by the academic audit approval committee, though enough time was given to fulfil them. "They can again apply for affiliation next year after removing the deficiencies," he said. The committee follows an exhaustive format for assessing colleges that have to score minimum marks. The borderline colleges are given a second chance to fulfil the deficiencies before the start of the academic year.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- General
- Time of India
Statewide sowing campaign launched at Chinchalli village
Mysuru: Agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy launched the statewide sowing campaign on Thursday at Chinchalli village in Hanur taluk in Chamarajanagar district. The event organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and agriculture department aims to promote timely sowing and advanced farming practices. The campaign began with the symbolic sowing of ragi on the farmland of progressive farmer Dayanand. Minister for animal husbandry, sericulture, and Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister K Venkatesh joined the ceremony, which also included a demonstration of drone-assisted pesticide spraying—a step toward precision farming. As part of the initiative, various agricultural implements were distributed to local farmers. Beneficiaries received equipment such as power tillers, rotavators, chaff cutters, power weeders, and oil extractors through the agriculture department. Speaking at the event, Cheluvarayaswamy emphasised the benefits of integrated farming, which he said can significantly boost farmers' income. "With just one acre, a farmer can earn up to Rs 10 lakh annually by combining vegetable cultivation, farm ponds, fishery, and livestock rearing," he said, citing real-life success stories. He urged farmers to gradually reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers due to their long-term health impacts and advocated for organic and natural farming practices. "The govt is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture through increased subsidies for micro-irrigation systems and organic inputs," he added. The minister also highlighted the importance of crop insurance, encouraging farmers to enrol under the scheme to protect themselves from crop losses due to climate variability and other risks. "Paying a small premium today can safeguard your future in times of adversity," he remarked. The Krishi Bhagya scheme, previously limited to select regions, has now been extended to all 224 taluks across the state. Cheluvarayaswamy encouraged farmers to leverage govt subsidies, adopt modern technologies, and follow the guidance of the agriculture department and universities. Venkatesh reiterated that while agriculture is a demanding profession, it can be highly rewarding with consistent effort. He encouraged farmers to take advantage of govt initiatives and modernise their farming methods to reduce labour costs and increase productivity. He also mentioned that the state cabinet recently convened in the district, where several key development schemes were approved, and will be implemented shortly. Hanur MLA MR Manjunath noted that the majority of Hanur's population relies on agriculture. He commended the growth in dairy farming and horticulture in the region, especially the cultivation of bananas, turmeric, and onions. He stressed the importance of ensuring adequate electricity and irrigation support to empower the farming community.
