DR. CARLOS J. FINLAY ELEMENTARY

Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary is a public school located in the Sweetwater/West Miami area, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Named after the renowned Cuban physician and scientist Dr. Carlos J. Finlay—who is famously credited with discovering that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes—the school honors his legacy by fostering an environment rooted in academic inquiry and community service. It serves a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, often providing dual-language or bilingual opportunities common to the Miami-Dade area, and places a strong emphasis on preparing students for middle school through a rigorous standard-based curriculum.

The school is recognized for its commitment to student development beyond traditional academics, often participating in district-wide initiatives that promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and literacy. As a neighborhood anchor, Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary maintains a close-knit school culture, supported by active parental involvement and various extracurricular programs. The school’s administration and faculty focus on cultivating a safe, inclusive, and technology-integrated learning environment designed to help students achieve proficiency in state-mandated assessments while building the essential social and emotional skills needed for long-term success.