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Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

Q: Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School a good school?

Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School ranks 756 th of 1205 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

756^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,205 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 37% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Myers, Florida, serving 995 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Lee District, which is ranked 59 out of 67 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite the district's lower ranking, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School consistently outperforms the Lee District and Florida state averages in several key test score metrics, particularly in End-of-Course (EOC) exams. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school had 77% proficiency in EOC Algebra 1, compared to 49% for the Lee District and 60% for Florida. Similarly, the school had 100% proficiency in EOC Geometry, significantly higher than the Lee District (44%) and Florida (55%) averages. The school's spending per student, ranging from $8,701 to $9,744 over the past few years, is also higher than the state average, suggesting it has access to more resources.

When comparing Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School to nearby schools in the same district, it becomes evident that the school's performance is generally better than the district and state averages, particularly in test scores. For instance, Challenger Middle School and Three Oaks Middle School also outperform the district and state in several test score metrics, but Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School still maintains a competitive edge in some areas. However, the school's statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 505 out of 1,136 Florida middle schools in 2020-2021 to 863 out of 1,196 in 2023-2024, suggesting that while the school is performing well compared to the district and state, it may face challenges in maintaining a consistently high statewide ranking.

999

Students ?

18.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,627

Per pupil spending ?

46.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4750 Winkler Avenue Ext
Fort Myers, FL 33966

(239) 334-1357

District: Lee

Students who attend Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School usually attend:

High:	Cypress Lake High School
	Dunbar High School
	Estero High School
	Fort Myers High School
	More...
	South Fort Myers High School

Feeder schools for Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School:

Elementary:	Allen Park Elementary School
	Colonial Elementary School
	Edison Park Creative And Expressive Arts School
	Fort Myers Beach Elementary School
	More...
	Franklin Park Elementary School
	Orangewood Elementary School
	Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School
	Tanglewood Elementary School
	Villas Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

40.3%

African American:

31.0%

White:

20.7%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 47th percentile in 2014 → 37th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (52% vs 58% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2014

!Science scores 10 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school52%

District avg51%

Florida avg58%

756^th of 1,205

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 37%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 41% (2016) to bottom 37% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 18Middle Schools in the Lee

59^th of 67Lee 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
2025	39.4	756 of 1205	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.1	863 of 1196	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	45.2	630 of 1177	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.0	638 of 1148	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	53.6	505 of 1136	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	46.8	594 of 1099	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.6	523 of 1035	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	46.1	547 of 1031	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	40.5	587 of 997	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	47.0	532 of 999	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	55.9	417 of 956	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.3	413 of 897	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	59.3	389 of 891	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	58.8	374 of 839	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	59.9	336 of 780	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2008	62.1	305 of 740	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2007	66.6	248 of 736	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2006	75.9	150 of 675	77.8%	★★★★☆
2005	69.7	170 of 602	71.8%	★★★★☆
2004	73.9	140 of 593	76.4%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2024-2025) ?

Geometry100%+45 vs state

Algebra 177%+17 vs state

Civics64%-7 vs state

English Language Arts50%-8 vs state

Math49%-8 vs state

Science39%-10 vs state

5.0

6 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★6

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The Principal and administrators are fully engaged, the Counselors are involved and teachers care! The theater program is the best and we like to call this school OUR BEST KEPT SECRET. Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, May 4, 2016

As a parent who is raising two young boys in a very global and diverse society it is important for my kids to have an educational experience at a school that promotes diversity and develops a culture that emphasizes respect, tolerance, and acceptance. Dunbar Middle meets all of those expectations and much more. They have some of the most dedicated and caring teachers that I have ever been around (and I am a teacher as well). They pride themselves on doing what is best for their students and involving parents and the community in their students education. The building is clean, bright and well taken care of. Academically, the school is technology driven, and has the resources to meet your child's needs despite whatever level they may be at. They have programs to support struggling students and have one of the best gifted programs in the county. I definitely recommend Dunbar Middle, as a parent and a teacher!!!! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle is comprised of some of the hardest working, engaging, caring and passionate educators in Lee County. They provide a safe, supportive and respectful environment for their students and demonstrate on a daily basis, their commitment to providing an educational experience that is relevant, rigorous and dynamic for their students. I highly recommend sending your students to this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				FAST English Language Arts (2025)			FAST Math (2025)			Statewide Science Science (2025)	EOC Algebra 1 (2025)	EOC Geometry (2025)	EOC Civics (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School	Public	6-8	4750 Winkler Avenue Ext	Fort Myers	33966	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 334-1357	999	55	18.0	46.2%	207 (20.7%)	310 (31.0%)	403 (40.3%)	47 (4.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (3.1%)	39.4	756^th of 1205 public middle schools	37.3%		30.1	863^rd of 1196 public middle schools	27.8%	107	53.0	47.0	49.0	45.0	20.0	64.0	39.0	77.0	100.0	64.0	$10,627	$739	$9,889
Fort Myers Middle School	Public	6-8	3050 Central Ave	Fort Myers	33901	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 936-1759	687	33	20.8	62.9%	58 (8.4%)	328 (47.7%)	268 (39.0%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	28 (4.1%)	12.6	1090^th of 1205 public middle schools	9.5%		19.3	1007^th of 1196 public middle schools	15.8%	83	37.0	33.0	31.0	33.0	14.0	30.0	20.0	67.0		49.0	$12,354	$1,692	$10,662
Oak Hammock Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	5321 Tice St	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(239) 693-0469	1,242	63	19.8	52.7%	167 (13.4%)	131 (10.5%)	907 (73.0%)	10 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (2.1%)	24.6	946^th of 1205 public middle schools	21.5%		27.7	896^th of 1196 public middle schools	25.1%	50	42.0	43.0	35.0	41.0	23.0	48.0	30.0	79.0		51.0	$11,452	$1,951	$9,502
Varsity Lakes Middle School	Public	6-8	801 Gunnery Rd N	Lehigh Acres	33971	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-3464	1,009	46	21.9	53.5%	86 (8.5%)	254 (25.2%)	629 (62.3%)	14 (1.4%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	23 (2.3%)	25.5	934^th of 1205 public middle schools	22.5%		26.5	907^th of 1196 public middle schools	24.2%	27	42.0	37.0	37.0	53.0	26.0	45.0	34.0	74.0		52.0	$9,873	$1,154	$8,719
Cypress Lake Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	8901 Cypress Lake Dr	Fort Myers	33919	Lee County	Lee	No	Yes	No	No	(239) 481-1533	768	40	19.0	34.1%	382 (49.7%)	49 (6.4%)	295 (38.4%)	17 (2.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.1%)	66.9	357^th of 1205 public middle schools	70.4%		70.9	321^st of 1196 public middle schools	73.2%	36	64.0	67.0	64.0	72.0	24.0	75.0	60.0	96.0	100.0	75.0	$11,350	$705	$10,645
Harns Marsh Middle School	Public	6-8	1820 Unice Ave N	Lehigh Acres	33971	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 690-2025	905	50	18.1	58.7%	86 (9.5%)	179 (19.8%)	598 (66.1%)	12 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (3.2%)	35.3	810^th of 1205 public middle schools	32.8%		33.8	810^th of 1196 public middle schools	32.3%		51.0	43.0	37.0	47.0	21.0	64.0	41.0	80.0	100.0	66.0	$12,277	$1,824	$10,453
Caloosa Middle School	Public	6-8	610 Del Prado Blvd S	Cape Coral	33990	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 574-3232	1,018	49	20.7	57.7%	344 (33.8%)	108 (10.6%)	495 (48.6%)	16 (1.6%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	51 (5.0%)	30.6	878^th of 1205 public middle schools	27.1%		38.2	745^th of 1196 public middle schools	37.7%	133	44.0	43.0	42.0	53.0	21.0	51.0	37.0	79.0		59.0	$10,764	$1,176	$9,589
Three Oaks Middle School	Public	6-8	18500 3 Oaks Pkwy	Fort Myers	33967	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 267-5757	1,091	48	22.9	25.9%	629 (57.7%)	37 (3.4%)	358 (32.8%)	29 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	36 (3.3%)	72.9	294^th of 1205 public middle schools	75.6%		67.8	355^th of 1196 public middle schools	70.3%	61	70.0	63.0	64.0	79.0	32.0	82.0	64.0	95.0		74.0	$9,433	$588	$8,844
Lexington Middle School	Public	6-8	16351 Summerlin Rd	Fort Myers	33908	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 454-6130	1,054	52	20.1	38.3%	348 (33.0%)	112 (10.6%)	523 (49.6%)	32 (3.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (3.6%)	36.7	795^th of 1205 public middle schools	34.0%		44.2	671^st of 1196 public middle schools	43.9%	124	49.0	47.0	51.0	50.0	24.0	55.0	38.0	76.0	100.0	66.0	$9,963	$573	$9,391
Diplomat Middle School	Public	6-8	1039 NE 16th Ter	Cape Coral	33909	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 574-5257	1,097	50	21.8	49.0%	365 (33.3%)	88 (8.0%)	604 (55.1%)	13 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	24 (2.2%)	48.3	616^th of 1205 public middle schools	48.9%		54.8	516^th of 1196 public middle schools	56.9%	100	58.0	61.0	56.0	46.0	33.0	57.0	48.0	80.0		73.0	$10,107	$618	$9,491

Frequently Asked Questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?

Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School are 40% Hispanic, 31% African American, 21% White, 5% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 999 students attended Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School.

Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School a good school?

Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School ranks 756^th of 1205 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School attend?

Students who attend Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School usually go on to attend Cypress Lake High School

What district is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School in?

Lee

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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.