Lee County Schools & Education

Lee County, Florida

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

24/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

88.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

88.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 89.8%

Per-Pupil Spending

$5,726

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,118

School Score

24/100

Higher = better

State avg 36/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#56

of 67 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Lee County

School Verdict

Lee County faces educational challenges with a school score of 24/100 and a graduation rate of 88.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $5,726 per pupil, Lee County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Lee County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 34% below the Florida average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Lee County, Florida

Massive Scale in Southwest Florida

Lee County operates a massive educational network of 120 public schools serving 99,354 students. The landscape features 61 elementary schools and 35 high schools to accommodate its large population.

Efficient Performance in Large Schools

The graduation rate of 88.0% slightly exceeds the national average of 87%. However, per-pupil spending of $5,726 is notably lower than both state and national averages, indicating a very efficient use of resources.

A Hub for Charter School Choice

The Lee County School District manages 121 schools, including 24 charter schools that serve 20% of the county. Lehigh Senior High School is the largest traditional campus, enrolling 2,476 students.

Urban and Suburban Learning Environments

Schools are split between urban and suburban settings, with an average school size of 872 students. Huge campuses like Lehigh Senior High define the high school experience for the county's youth.

Finding Your Place in Lee County

With a wide variety of urban and suburban schools, families have many options for their children's education. Look for homes near top-rated campuses in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres to secure a quality education.

School Overview

Total Schools

120

in Lee County

Total Enrollment

99,354

students

School Districts

1

district

Charter Schools

24

20% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary61
Middle18
High35
Other6

1 School District in Lee County

LEE

121 schools
99,354 students enrolled

120 Public Schools in Lee County

LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High2,476 students
VETERANS PARK ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS

LEE

PK–8Primary2,133 students
GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,981 students
IDA S. BAKER HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,933 students
SOUTH FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,917 students
FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,902 students
EAST LEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,896 students
CAPE CORAL HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,887 students
RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,880 students
NORTH FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,874 students
MARINER HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,852 students
DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,802 students
ISLAND COAST HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,653 students
CYPRESS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,580 students
OAK HAMMOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL

LEE

6–8Middle1,563 students
BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,543 students
ESTERO HIGH SCHOOL

LEE

9–12High1,433 students
HARNS MARSH MIDDLE SCHOOL

LEE

6–8Middle1,422 students
LEHIGH ACRES MIDDLE SCHOOL

LEE

6–8Middle1,356 students
VARSITY LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL

LEE

6–8Middle1,307 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$5,726

State avg $6,118

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Lee County rate?
Lee County has a school score of 24/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Lee County?
The high school graduation rate in Lee County is 88.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Lee County spend per student?
Lee County spends $5,726 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Lee County, Florida — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Lee County, Florida?

Lee County operates a massive educational network of 120 public schools serving 99,354 students. The landscape features 61 elementary schools and 35 high schools to accommodate its large population.

How do schools in Lee County perform academically?

The graduation rate of 88.0% slightly exceeds the national average of 87%. However, per-pupil spending of $5,726 is notably lower than both state and national averages, indicating a very efficient use of resources.

What are the major school districts in Lee County, Florida?

The Lee County School District manages 121 schools, including 24 charter schools that serve 20% of the county. Lehigh Senior High School is the largest traditional campus, enrolling 2,476 students.

What is the school experience like in Lee County?

Schools are split between urban and suburban settings, with an average school size of 872 students. Huge campuses like Lehigh Senior High define the high school experience for the county's youth.

How can I find homes near good schools in Lee County, Florida?

With a wide variety of urban and suburban schools, families have many options for their children's education. Look for homes near top-rated campuses in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres to secure a quality education.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.