Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33901

Zip code 33901 in Fort Myers, Florida, is home to seven schools within the Lee County school district, serving elementary, middle, and high school students across a community with moderate-to-high economic need, as reflected by an average free/reduced lunch rate of nearly 50%.

The standout performer in the area is Fort Myers High School, a large comprehensive high school with a 4-star rating and a 98.7% graduation rate, far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, Coronado High School faces severe challenges, with a 0-star rating, a 34.7% graduation rate, and a catastrophic 90.4% chronic absenteeism rate. At the elementary level, Edison Park Creative And Expressive Arts School is a rising star, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide, with test scores 20-30 percentage points higher than peer schools like Allen Park Elementary School and Orangewood Elementary School. The only middle school, Fort Myers Middle School, is a weak point, ranking in the bottom 10% of Florida middle schools with a 42.6% chronic absenteeism rate.

Key takeaways include a stark divide between the high-performing Fort Myers High School and the struggling Coronado High School, highlighting how different school missions and student populations can coexist in the same zip code. Edison Park's success suggests that a focused magnet theme can drive engagement and overcome economic challenges, while the middle school's poor performance indicates a systemic issue where students fall behind during critical years. Notably, spending per student does not correlate with outcomes—Allen Park spends the most ($12,659) but ranks low, while Fort Myers High School spends less ($9,951) and achieves top results, emphasizing that how funds are used matters more than the total amount.