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Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School

Q: Is Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School a good school?

Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School ranks 1553 rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1553^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 31% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School is a mid-sized elementary school in Cape Coral, FL, serving 606 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the Lee County School District.

One of the most striking findings about Cafferata is its extremely high per-student spending of $20,406, which is nearly double that of nearby schools like Hancock Creek Elementary School ($10,517) and Diplomat Elementary School ($11,980), and more than double the spending at the high-performing Oasis Elementary Charter School-North ($9,835). Despite this significant investment, the school's academic outcomes are mixed, with a state ranking that has fluctuated between the 25th and 52nd percentile over the last decade. A major challenge is a persistently high chronic absenteeism rate of 36%, which is worse than many peers like Trafalgar Elementary School (20.2%) and Caloosa Elementary School (27.3%), and likely a key driver of the school's overall struggles.

However, there is a notable bright spot: Cafferata's 5th graders are outperforming both the district and state averages in Science (63% proficient) and ELA (64% proficient). This success stands in stark contrast to the school's performance in 3rd and 4th grades, where it lags behind. This "5th Grade Effect" suggests that either the teachers or curriculum for that grade are particularly effective, offering a valuable blueprint for improvement. The school's math scores are also highly inconsistent from year to year, indicating a lack of a cohesive, vertically-aligned curriculum. While the school has significant potential, its leadership must urgently address the chronic absenteeism problem and investigate why its high spending is not translating into better results for all students.

606

Students ?

17.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,406

Per pupil spending ?

60.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

388 Santa Barbara Blvd
Cape Coral, FL 33993

(239) 458-7391

District: Lee

Students who attend Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Caloosa Middle School
	Challenger Middle School
	Diplomat Middle School
	Gulf Middle School
	More...
	Mariner Middle School
	Trafalgar Middle School
High:	Cape Coral High School
	Ida S. Baker High School
	Island Coast High School
	Mariner High School
	More...
	North Fort Myers High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

71.0%

White:

20.5%

African American:

5.3%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 50th percentile in 2016 → 31st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (52% vs 62% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2016

!Math scores 14 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg57%

Florida avg62%

1,553^rd of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 31%▼ down 20 pts since 2016

From top 50% (2016) to bottom 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

37^th of 59Elementary Schools in the Lee

56^th of 70Lee among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	34.2	1553 of 2240	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	28.2	1696 of 2258	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	42.8	1271 of 2256	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.4	1201 of 2240	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.1	1288 of 2219	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.5	1354 of 2247	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.8	1643 of 2182	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.7	1436 of 2118	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	51.9	1015 of 2112	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2016	50.2	1034 of 2087	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	54.3	939 of 2064	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	45.5	1107 of 2029	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	55.4	891 of 1984	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.4	956 of 1985	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	60.1	820 of 1919	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2009	57.4	832 of 1847	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	38.9	1157 of 1789	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	39.0	1155 of 1786	35.3%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science63%+3 vs state

English Language Arts51%-9 vs state

Math50%-14 vs state

★

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Schools Near Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	388 Santa Barbara Blvd	Cape Coral	33993	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 458-7391	606	34	17.8	60.6%	124 (20.5%)	32 (5.3%)	430 (71.0%)	7 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.0%)	34.2	1553^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	30.7%		28.2	1696^th of 2258 public elementary schools	24.9%	143	43.0	48.0	64.0				44.0	54.0	54.0				63.0						$20,406	$1,919	$18,487
Mid Cape Global Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	76 Mid Cape Ter	Cape Coral	33991	Lee County	Lee	Yes	No	No	No	(239) 995-0904	1,145	53	21.6	55.8%	160 (14.0%)	101 (8.8%)	858 (74.9%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	20 (1.7%)	35.8	1503^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	32.9%		22	1847^th of 2258 public elementary schools	18.2%	344	59.0	51.0	52.0	60.0	54.0	70.0	66.0	52.0	37.0	46.0	72.0	68.0	53.0	61.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	82.0	$8,008	$35	$7,973
Caloosa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	620 Del Prado Blvd S	Cape Coral	33990	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 574-3113	968	58	16.5	52.7%	347 (35.8%)	72 (7.4%)	475 (49.1%)	19 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (5.7%)	57.7	942^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	57.9%		54.9	989^th of 2258 public elementary schools	56.2%	47	61.0	67.0	59.0				67.0	75.0	67.0				50.0						$12,890	$1,531	$11,359
Diplomat Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1115 NE 16th Ter	Cape Coral	33909	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 458-0033	1,066	62	17.1	51.8%	396 (37.1%)	51 (4.8%)	564 (52.9%)	9 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (4.3%)	69.1	655^th of 2240 public elementary schools	70.8%		71.4	597^th of 2258 public elementary schools	73.6%	58	61.0	64.0	66.0				71.0	85.0	79.0				64.0						$11,980	$1,706	$10,273
Patriot Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	711 SW 18th St	Cape Coral	33991	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 242-1023	954	50	19.0	52.1%	322 (33.8%)	67 (7.0%)	515 (54.0%)	6 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (4.6%)	35.5	1512^th of 2240 public elementary schools	32.5%		40.2	1353^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	40.1%	159	61.0	47.0	54.0				66.0	52.0	49.0				47.0						$10,291	$1,148	$9,144
Skyline Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	620 SW 19th St	Cape Coral	33991	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 772-3223	1,141	61	18.7	52.4%	454 (39.8%)	70 (6.1%)	556 (48.7%)	10 (0.9%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (4.1%)	34.7	1534^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.5%		40.3	1345^th of 2258 public elementary schools	40.4%	189	50.0	47.0	53.0				67.0	52.0	59.0				46.0						$11,075	$1,295	$9,780
Heritage Charter Academy Of Cape Coral	Public, Charter	K-8	2107 Santa Barbara Blvd	Cape Coral	33991	Lee County	Lee	Yes	No	No	No	(239) 829-5134	234	0	46.4	93.2%	85 (36.3%)	7 (3.0%)	123 (52.6%)	5 (2.1%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	12 (5.1%)	13.3	2076^th of 2240 public elementary schools	7.3%		16.1	2008^th of 2258 public elementary schools	11.1%	68	38.0	41.0	33.0	50.0	64.0	56.0	47.0	38.0	33.0	35.0	64.0		39.0	56.0	100.0			70.0	$8,665	$182	$8,483
Oasis Elementary Charter School-North	Public, Charter	K-5	2817 SW 3rd Ln	Cape Coral	33991	Lee County	Lee	Yes	No	No	No	(239) 283-4511	813	50	16.2	31.2%	494 (60.8%)	26 (3.2%)	251 (30.9%)	14 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	26 (3.2%)	81.2	356^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.1%		88.3	217^th of 2258 public elementary schools	90.4%	139	79.0	71.0	74.0				84.0	85.0	74.0				66.0						$9,835	$00	$9,835
Trafalgar Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1850 SW 20th Ave	Cape Coral	33991	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 283-3043	910	51	17.9	39.8%	389 (42.7%)	40 (4.4%)	423 (46.5%)	20 (2.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (4.1%)	66	728^th of 2240 public elementary schools	67.5%		59.7	888^th of 2258 public elementary schools	60.7%	160	53.0	65.0	70.0				72.0	79.0	66.0				70.0						$11,586	$879	$10,707
Tropic Isles Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5145 Orange Grove Blvd	North Fort Myers	33903	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 995-4704	804	45	18.0	66.7%	243 (30.2%)	100 (12.4%)	412 (51.2%)	6 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (5.2%)	34.8	1531^st of 2240 public elementary schools	31.7%		33.3	1548^th of 2258 public elementary schools	31.4%	17	44.0	51.0	53.0				52.0	51.0	71.0				55.0						$11,810	$1,504	$10,305

Frequently Asked Questions about Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Caloosa Middle School
Middle : Challenger Middle School
Middle : Diplomat Middle School
Middle : Gulf Middle School
Middle : Mariner Middle School
Middle : Trafalgar Middle School
High : Cape Coral High School
High : Ida S. Baker High School
High : Island Coast High School
High : Mariner High School
High : North Fort Myers High School

How many students attend Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 606 students attended Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School.

What district is Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School in?

Lee

What is the racial makeup of Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School?

Students at Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School are 71% Hispanic, 20% White, 5% African American, 2% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School a good school?

Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School ranks 1553^rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.