Summary:
The four schools in zip code 33913 (Fort Myers, FL) are all part of the Lee district and include two elementary schools, one high school, and one large alternative/charter school serving grades PK-12, offering a diverse range of educational options for families.
The standout school in the area is Gateway Charter School, an alternative school that consistently outperforms district and state averages in core subjects like Algebra 1, Biology, and Civics, despite having the highest chronic absenteeism rate (41.4%) and the lowest per-pupil spending ($8,203). In contrast, Gateway High School is a rising star, improving its state ranking from the 50th to the 64th percentile over three years and boasting a 96.1% graduation rate and exceptional 95% Biology 1 proficiency, though it struggles with Algebra 1 (26% proficiency). Among elementary schools, Treeline Elementary School is the most consistent performer, exceeding the state average in 5th-grade Science (61%) and maintaining strong ELA scores, while Gateway Elementary School excels in 4th-grade math (69% proficiency).
Key takeaways include a clear disconnect between spending and outcomes—the elementary schools spend over $10,600 per student but lag behind Gateway Charter School academically—and a potential "leaky pipeline" in math, where strong elementary performance doesn't translate to high school Algebra 1 success. Chronic absenteeism averages 31.45% across the area, matching the state average, but varies widely from 23% to 41.4%. Overall, families should note that Gateway Charter School offers the strongest academic results despite its alternative label, while Gateway High School shows impressive improvement and graduation rates, making both strong options depending on a student's needs.
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