The Real Cost to
Miami-Dade Schools
The $700 per-student fee Success Academy pays doesn't begin to cover what Miami-Dade is giving up. Here's what co-location actually costs our schools.
Classroom Space
Success Academy gets access to school buildings for renovations starting June 2026 — space that belongs to our students and communities, handed over for free under state law.
Custodial & Maintenance
Under new state rules, the district must provide custodial, maintenance, food, safety, nursing, and transportation services to Success Academy — at district taxpayer expense.
Per-Pupil Funding Drain
Every student enrolled in Success Academy takes state per-pupil funding out of the public school budget. As enrollment grows toward 8,000–10,000 students, the financial drain becomes massive.
Local Control
Decisions about our schools are being made in Tallahassee and New York — not by Miami parents, not by community members. The board was handed a 200-page document and told to vote.
High-Performing Schools at Risk
The expanded "Schools of Hope" definition now targets schools that were previously rated A or B — meaning even thriving schools can be forced to share their buildings with outside operators.
Community Trust
Parents, teachers, and union leaders say they received no meaningful input. "This is not just a policy decision. It's a shift in how decisions are being made," said the United Teachers of Dade.
Executive Pay vs. Teacher Pay
Success Academy's executive leadership received a combined $6.1 million in salaries and compensation in 2024. Miami-Dade teacher starting salaries are under $54,000. That gap tells you everything about who this network serves.
Source: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Taxpayer Subsidies on Top
Charter operators like Success Academy can qualify for millions in government subsidies — cash grants and low-interest loans. In 2024, just five charter companies received $26 million in government handouts, on top of per-pupil funding.
This Is Just the Beginning
In November 2025, charter companies sent 690 letters of intent to 22 Florida school districts. Miami-Dade alone received 90 notices from Mater Academy, KIPP, and Success Academy. Tens of thousands of public school seats are at risk statewide.
Elementary Schools Inside High Schools
Success Academy plans to open elementary schools inside Miami high school buildings — placing different age groups in the same facility with no community input on whether that arrangement is appropriate or safe.
