Summary:
Zip code 33974 in Lehigh Acres, Florida, is home to a single large public high school, East Lee County High School, serving grades 9-12 with an enrollment of 2,129 students as part of the Lee County School District.
East Lee County High School presents a striking paradox for parents to consider. On one hand, the school boasts an exceptionally high graduation rate of 97.0% for the 2024-2025 school year, significantly outperforming both the district average of 89.8% and the state average of 92.2%. On the other hand, academic proficiency in core subjects is critically low, with only 14% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and 22% in Geometry, compared to state averages of 63% and 56% respectively. The school also struggles with a chronic absenteeism rate of 40.5%, which is well above the state average of 31.4%. The only bright spot in testing is Biology 1, where 74% of students are proficient, matching the state average exactly.
Despite these challenges, the school's state ranking has remained stable in the 19th-20th percentile over the past three years, indicating consistent performance rather than a decline. With 56.51% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and a student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1, the school serves a predominantly low-income community with larger class sizes. Per-student spending is $9,578, below the national average. The stark contrast between the high graduation rate and low test scores suggests the school may prioritize completion over academic mastery, making it essential for parents to investigate the rigor of coursework and support programs available at East Lee County High School.
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