The thing I don't necessarily get and I alluded to initially are the people that are upper middle class that are spending out the culo for some private school tuition.
For example, I know two separate families with three kids each that have paid a ton of money annually to send their kids to Columbus and Belen respectively but they remain living in West Miami. They both have very nice houses and the neighborhoods are fine but they definitely could afford much better if that tuition money was being diverted to mortgage money. I'd assume most people would prefer home ownership in Palmetto Bay/etc. while getting (imo) a similar quality free education at Palmetto.
I think you see a lot of family tradition and social pressure directing these choices for the second tier type of private/parochial schools in Dade. I highly doubt the primary draw is the specific need for the Catholic/Jesuit influence in their kids secondary education.
Then again, my opinions are obviously anecdotal as I've lived in Coward County for the last decade. Go STA.
You make excellent points. Broward's example would be Taravella-Coral Springs-Parkland vs. University School-American Heritage-Pine Crest-STA.
In the 80s and early 90s, Taravella and Coral Springs were Broward's sought after public schools because those addresses were sought after (to some degree South Plantation and Western as well, but not as much). Parkland (e.g. Stoneman Douglas) became the "new place to be" as more "professionals" of all stripes in life moved to northwest Broward. As I understand, MSD is now hemorraghing students and has opened enrollment to surrounding areas--very controversial and we all know how the movie likely ends.
Meanwhile, the sought after privates continued on their own paths with great success (and great cost). Families unable/unwilling to move started seeking those opportunities for their kids. Also, uniforms, like them or not, lend to a more productive learning experience. There is a strong number of "regular" people who make sacrifices to send their kids to those schools because without question, the percentages of the students attending upper/top tier universities far exceeds even the best publics--its not even rationally debatable. What is also very telling is the same numbers of families who live in the "best" public districts and still send their kids to private. It really comes down to the value-added output. Real or perceived, the created reality is that the SoFL privates, overall, are a better environment for students.
Every family makes a choice and works with what choices they can make. Ransom is what, $40K/yr? Pine Crest is $35k, Uni and AH are similar. Same with Guliver, etc. STA (enrollment as doubled since 80s) is $15K (I think Belen and Bishop Mcarty are same?).
When given free alternatives and people still choose to pay, that speaks volumes. Good or bad, it certainly is a statement.