Summary:
The 8 public schools in Fort Myers' zip code 33905, part of the Lee County School District, serve approximately 6,029 students across elementary, middle, high, and alternative education, and face significant challenges with high poverty and chronic absenteeism.
Riverdale High School stands out as the academic leader among traditional schools, earning a 2-star rating and boasting a remarkable 96.7% graduation rate, far exceeding district and state averages, despite a 44.6% chronic absenteeism rate. In contrast, Oak Hammock Middle School presents a "two-schools-in-one" paradox: while its general education scores are very low (e.g., only 19% of 7th graders proficient in math), its advanced courses excel, with 81% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 89% in Biology 1. The elementary schools—Orange River Elementary School, James Stephens Elementary School, Manatee Elementary School, and Tice Elementary School—all have 1-star or 0-star ratings, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 36.59% to 71.1%, indicating widespread economic disadvantage. The specialized Buckingham Exceptional Student Center spends $64,729 per student with a 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio, while the Southwest Florida Juvenile Detention Center has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 11.7%.
A key takeaway is the "spending paradox": the lowest-spending traditional school, Riverdale High ($8,835/student), performs best, while higher-spending schools like Tice ($13,980) and James Stephens ($13,788) struggle, suggesting funds address greater needs rather than driving test scores. Overall, the area's schools are under pressure, with most ranking in the bottom 20% statewide, but Riverdale's graduation success and Oak Hammock's advanced programs offer bright spots for families seeking specific strengths.
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