Ransom Everglades School

Focus 

Honour and integrity

Day fees 2025/26

$54,800

Term dates

• Term 1: 20 August to 19 December 2025
• Term 2: 5 January to 2 June 2026

Ages

11-18

Pupil count

1,246

Spear’s Review

In the words of Ransom Everglades School founder Paul C Ransom, students who attend the school ‘believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it’.

Based across two campuses in Miami, the school strives to develop students who pride themselves on their academic rigour alongside their morals. Its carefully curated curriculum is reflective of this; students are taught to be independent thinkers, capable of collaborating with others but confident enough to defend their own ideas.

Students are encouraged to engage in a wide range of school activities, and there are 25 varsity sports, nearly 60 student-led and faculty-supported clubs and interest groups, and wide-ranging offerings in art, music and theatre.

Academics

In 2025:

• 91 per cent of those who sat AP exams scored a 4 or a 5
• The average SAT score was 1407
• The average ACT score was 31

School Profile

Nestled on the shores of Biscayne Bay, Ransom Everglades School is a joyful learning community in Miami that for more than 120 years has produced graduates that leave the world better than they find it. Considered one of the premier independent schools in the south-eastern United States, Ransom Everglades (RE) offers an innovative and individualised curriculum rooted in research, leadership and service. Students benefit from close student-faculty relationships that foster confidence and growth, ethical decision-making and the ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. In all fields of study, students master writing, public speaking and critical thinking while learning to incorporate AI and technology ethically and creatively.

RE’s tropical campuses feature state-of-the-art facilities that include a gleaming glass-walled STEM centre and – soon to come – a brand-new humanities building. RE offers countless opportunities in athletics, arts and after-school clubs and activities. Learning adventures and intellectual exploration characterise every day at RE. Students get comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zones while experiencing the exhilaration of discovery and making friends for life. Every RE student learns to sail and participates in canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding as part of the physical education curriculum.

Grounded in the school’s core values and taught to value kindness and collaboration, RE students care about their peers, their communities and the environment. They are proud to serve the underserved, protect the endangered and stand up for justice. They value inclusion and integrity. By the time they depart for colleges and universities across the world, they are global citizens and gracious leaders, fully equipped to solve challenging problems and navigate complex interactions with sensitivity and discernment.

Head teacher

Head of school Rachel Rodriguez joined Ransom Everglades School in 2005, first as assistant director of the middle school, and then as head of the middle school. She worked as an education consultant during the 2021-2022 school year before returning to Ransom Everglades as head. Rodriguez earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida International University and a Master of Science from Nova Southeastern University. In 2018, she completed her certificate in advanced education leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Professional Education. 

University and college destinations

In 2025, 20 per cent of Ransom graduates gained places at Ivy League institutions.

Notable alumni

• Marc Fein (sports broadcaster)
• Ashleigh Johnson (Olympic water polo athlete)
• Phil Lord (film producer and director)

Admissions

The admissions process for Ransom Everglades consists of three steps: an inquiry and open house or campus tour; an application that includes submission of a range of documentation, academic records and recommendations; and the completion of an entrance exam.

Accessibility

Miami International Airport: 30 minutes

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.