Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in the 33908 zip code of Fort Myers, Florida, which serve grades PK-5 or PK-6 and are part of the Lee County school district, a district ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida.
Rayma C. Page Elementary School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 20% of Florida elementary schools. It significantly outperforms the district and state averages in math and reading, with 83% of 3rd graders proficient in math compared to the district's 59%. In contrast, Harlem Heights Community Charter School faces major challenges, ranking in the bottom 3% of Florida schools with a 0-star rating and critically low test scores, often below 30% proficiency. Heights Elementary School sits in the middle, with a 3-star rating and solid performance at or above district averages, showing a positive trend in its state ranking over recent years.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results—Harlem Heights has the highest per-student spending ($12,458) but the lowest performance, while Heights Elementary spends the least ($10,563) and performs moderately. Chronic absenteeism is a major differentiator, with Harlem Heights at 35.3% compared to Heights Elementary's 22.1%. Rayma C. Page stands out as a high-performing school within a low-performing district, demonstrating that strong leadership and effective teaching can overcome broader district challenges. For parents, Rayma C. Page offers the strongest academic outcomes, while Heights Elementary provides a stable, improving option with lower absenteeism.
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