High Schools in Lee

The 29 high schools located in Lee County, Florida serve students in grades 9-12 and vary significantly in their academic performance, student demographics, and other key metrics. While some schools, like Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School and Oasis Charter High School, consistently rank among the top high schools in the state, others struggle with low test scores, high chronic absenteeism, and poor graduation rates.

The data reveals stark performance gaps between the highest and lowest-performing schools, particularly in test scores and graduation rates. There appears to be a correlation between the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a proxy for socioeconomic status, and academic outcomes, with schools serving more economically disadvantaged students tending to have lower test scores and graduation rates. The charter schools in the data, such as Florida Southwestern Collegiate and Oasis, consistently outperform the traditional public high schools on various metrics, raising questions about the factors contributing to their success.

Chronic absenteeism, with rates reaching as high as 95.2%, is a significant issue across many schools in Lee County, likely impacting student learning and achievement. Additionally, the wide range in per-student spending, from $6,513 to $41,603, does not appear to directly correlate with academic outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as resource allocation, teaching quality, and school leadership, play a crucial role in student success.