Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Orange River Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1881^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 16% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Orange River Elementary School in Fort Myers, FL, is a PK-5 school serving 796 students within the Lee School District, and it has historically faced significant academic challenges while serving a predominantly low-income population.

One of the most encouraging developments at Orange River is its dramatic improvement in chronic absenteeism, which dropped from 36.2% in 2021-2022 to 27.8% in 2023-2024. This rate is now lower than the district average (34.6%) and many nearby schools, such as J. Colin English Elementary (42.4%) and Franklin Park Elementary (36.6%). In math, the school shows relative strength, with 5th-grade proficiency at 53%—higher than North Fort Myers Academy For The Arts (38%) and James Stephens Elementary (21%). Science scores also jumped 17 points to 50% proficiency in 2025-2026, outperforming neighbors like Manatee Elementary (31%) and Tice Elementary (38%).

Despite these bright spots, Orange River continues to struggle with English Language Arts (ELA), where proficiency lags behind math by 5 to 14 points across grade levels. The school’s performance sits in the middle of a wide spectrum: it outperforms the very low-performing James Stephens Elementary but falls far short of the high-achieving Edison Park Creative And Expressive Arts School, which ranks in the top 24% of Florida schools. Notably, spending per student ($12,371) does not predict success, as Edgewood Academy spends $20,498 per student but ranks lower. Overall, Orange River shows promising signs of a potential turnaround, with improving attendance, science, and upper-grade ELA scores that could lead to better state rankings in the coming years.

796

Students ?

19.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,371

Per pupil spending ?

58.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4501 Underwood Dr
Fort Myers, FL 33905

(239) 694-1258

District: Lee

Students who attend Orange River Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Harns Marsh Middle School
	Lehigh Acres Middle School
	Oak Hammock Middle School
	Varsity Lakes Middle School
High:	Dunbar High School
	East Lee County High School
	Lehigh Senior High School
	Riverdale High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

85.8%

African American:

9.0%

White:

4.5%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Orange River Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 31st percentile in 2016 → 16th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (46% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (16th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 15 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg57%

Florida avg62%

1,881^st of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 16%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From bottom 31% (2016) to bottom 16% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

47^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	21.8	1881 of 2240	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.3	1839 of 2258	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.9	1800 of 2256	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.2	1739 of 2240	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.7	1838 of 2219	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.4	1790 of 2247	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.2	1778 of 2182	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.7	1523 of 2118	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	25.8	1611 of 2112	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	32.4	1450 of 2087	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2014	26.4	1587 of 2064	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	17.3	1789 of 2029	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	15.8	1755 of 1984	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	33.7	1390 of 1985	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2010	40.6	1223 of 1919	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2009	31.2	1376 of 1847	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	25.5	1412 of 1789	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	31.3	1290 of 1786	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	31.6	1196 of 1688	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math51%-13 vs state

Science50%-10 vs state

English Language Arts41%-20 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Orange River Elementary School and help other families decide.

Rate Orange River Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Orange River Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Orange River Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4501 Underwood Dr	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-1258	796	41	19.4	58.9%	36 (4.5%)	72 (9.0%)	683 (85.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.5%)	21.8	1881^st of 2240 public elementary schools	16.0%		22.3	1839^th of 2258 public elementary schools	18.6%	42	36.0	41.0	48.0				46.0	55.0	53.0				50.0				$12,371	$1,362	$11,009
Manatee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5301 Tice St	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-2097	728	42	17.3	55.8%	51 (7.0%)	50 (6.9%)	610 (83.8%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (1.9%)	14.5	2053^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	8.3%		21.1	1873^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	17.1%	180	33.0	34.0	46.0				48.0	53.0	43.0				31.0				$13,263	$1,482	$11,782
Tice Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4524 Tice St	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-1257	516	30	17.3	57.8%	13 (2.5%)	32 (6.2%)	467 (90.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	22.5	1859^th of 2240 public elementary schools	17.0%		19.5	1927^th of 2258 public elementary schools	14.7%	68	34.0	43.0	44.0				56.0	64.0	45.0				38.0				$13,980	$1,363	$12,618
James Stephens Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1333 Marsh Ave	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 337-1333	730	37	20.0	71.1%	40 (5.5%)	284 (38.9%)	387 (53.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (2.5%)	9.9	2145^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.2%		8.8	2170^th of 2258 public elementary schools	3.9%	25	32.0	33.0	37.0	37.0			44.0	44.0	21.0	48.0			27.0				$13,788	$1,698	$12,091
Edgewood Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	3464 Edgewood Ave	Fort Myers	33916	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 334-6205	598	43	13.9	68.7%	41 (6.9%)	208 (34.8%)	332 (55.5%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.3%)	23.2	1842^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	17.8%		21.9	1850^th of 2258 public elementary schools	18.1%	8	28.0	45.0	52.0				47.0	51.0	56.0				58.0				$20,498	$2,978	$17,521
Bayshore School	Public	PK, KG-6	17050 Williams Rd	North Fort Myers	33917	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 543-3663	685	32	21.2	40.0%	489 (71.4%)	9 (1.3%)	166 (24.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.8%)	46	1246^th of 2240 public elementary schools	44.4%		53.3	1034^th of 2258 public elementary schools	54.2%	212	54.0	58.0	58.0	64.0	55.0		54.0	62.0	66.0	67.0	78.0		52.0			90.0	$10,388	$547	$9,840
Franklin Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2323 Ford St	Fort Myers	33916	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 332-1969	505	24	21.0	73.7%	18 (3.6%)	361 (71.5%)	111 (22.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.8%)	18.1	1973^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	11.9%		10.1	2147^th of 2258 public elementary schools	4.9%	174	31.0	36.0	38.0				40.0	50.0	62.0				42.0				$12,827	$1,169	$11,657
J. Colin English Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	120 Pine Island Rd	North Fort Myers	33903	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 995-2258	530	29	18.2	69.1%	183 (34.5%)	25 (4.7%)	297 (56.0%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.6%)	40.4	1386^th of 2240 public elementary schools	38.1%		19.4	1931^st of 2258 public elementary schools	14.5%	545	49.0	58.0	60.0				68.0	50.0	54.0				52.0				$12,978	$1,620	$11,358
North Fort Myers Academy For The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1856 Arts Way	North Fort Myers	33917	Lee County	Lee	No	Yes	No	No	(239) 997-2131	1,353	70	19.2	53.2%	687 (50.8%)	59 (4.4%)	531 (39.2%)	7 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	67 (5.0%)	27	1745^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.1%		32	1593^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	29.5%	152	53.0	61.0	40.0	50.0	51.0	54.0	53.0	60.0	38.0	49.0	22.0	57.0	35.0	49.0	80.0	68.0	$9,655	$678	$8,978
Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4600 Challenger Blvd	Fort Myers	33966	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 274-3932	736	44	16.8	54.9%	104 (14.1%)	231 (31.4%)	348 (47.3%)	18 (2.4%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	31 (4.2%)	34.7	1533^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	31.6%		32.4	1578^th of 2258 public elementary schools	30.1%	45	48.0	54.0	56.0				48.0	55.0	59.0				54.0				$13,305	$1,592	$11,713

Frequently Asked Questions about Orange River Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Orange River Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Orange River Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Harns Marsh Middle School
Middle : Lehigh Acres Middle School
Middle : Oak Hammock Middle School
Middle : Varsity Lakes Middle School
High : Dunbar High School
High : East Lee County High School
High : Lehigh Senior High School
High : Riverdale High School

Is Orange River Elementary School a good school?

Orange River Elementary School ranks in the bottom 16.0% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Orange River Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 796 students attended Orange River Elementary School.

What district is Orange River Elementary School in?

Lee

What is the racial makeup of Orange River Elementary School?

Students at Orange River Elementary School are 86% Hispanic, 9% African American, 5% White.

Rate Orange River Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Fort Myers, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Orange River Elementary School!

Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.