Summary:
This analysis examines three public elementary schools in zip code 33971 (Lehigh Acres, FL), all part of the Lee County School District, serving grades PK-5 in a high-poverty area where all schools are rated as 1-star institutions by SchoolDigger.
Among the three schools, Harns Marsh Elementary School stands out as the strongest performer, consistently scoring at or above district averages in 5th grade science (57% vs. 55%) and math (62% vs. 59%). It also has the highest per-student spending ($10,689) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (19.4). In contrast, Sunshine Elementary School has the largest enrollment (1,456) but the lowest per-student spending ($9,597) and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (33.3%). Tortuga Preserve Elementary School has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (25.8%) but the highest student-teacher ratio (24.4) and the lowest state ranking (15th percentile).
A key takeaway is the positive correlation between resource allocation and performance: Harns Marsh, with the highest spending and smallest class sizes, leads academically, while Sunshine, with the lowest spending, trails. All three schools showed dramatic year-over-year improvement from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, with 5th grade science scores jumping by 14-18 percentage points. However, chronic absenteeism remains a significant concern, with Harns Marsh having the highest rate (38.7%) despite its academic leadership, suggesting that engaged students may be receiving strong instruction even as many others miss school.
Thank you for your feedback!