Orange River Elementary School

Summary:

Orange River Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Fort Myers, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 788, the majority of whom are Hispanic (87.18% in 2022-2023). The school is part of the Lee District, which is ranked 50 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 1 star out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Orange River Elementary School faces several significant challenges. The school has a much higher chronic absenteeism rate (35.3% in 2022-2023) compared to the district and state averages. Additionally, the school consistently underperforms the Lee District and the state of Florida in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math were significantly lower than the district and state averages. Furthermore, 61.42% of the students at Orange River Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is much higher than the district and state averages.

When comparing Orange River Elementary School to nearby schools in the Lee District, such as J. Colin English Elementary School, North Fort Myers Academy For The Arts, and Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School, it becomes evident that Orange River Elementary School is performing significantly worse in terms of test scores, chronic absenteeism, and other key metrics. This suggests that the challenges faced by Orange River Elementary School are not necessarily shared by all schools in the district, and there may be opportunities to learn from the practices and strategies of the higher-performing schools.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

4501 Underwood Dr
Fort Myers, FL 33905

(239) 694-1258

District: Lee

SchoolDigger Rank:
1800^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,305

Students who attend Orange River Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Harns Marsh Middle School
	Lehigh Acres Middle School
	Oak Hammock Middle School
	Varsity Lakes Middle School
High:	Dunbar High School
	East Lee County High School
	Lehigh Senior High School
	Riverdale High School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.9

Number of students: 788

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

87.2%

African American:

6.6%

White:

5.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 61.4%

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Compare Orange River Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Orange River Elementary School ranks worse than 79.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 41^st among 58 ranked elementary schools in the Lee School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.88. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (87.2%), African American (6.6%), White (5.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 61.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Orange River Elementary School is 17.9, which is the 29^th best among 58 elementary schools in the Lee School District. (See more...)

Compare Orange River Elementary School employs 44 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Orange River Elementary School is $11,305, which is the 25^th highest among 58 elementary schools in the Lee School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Orange River Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Lee:

SchoolDigger ranks Lee 50^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Orange River Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	31.63	1196^th	1688	29.1%
2007	31.26	1290^th	1786	27.8%
2008	25.47	1412^th	1789	21.1%
2009	31.18	1376^th	1847	25.5%
2010	40.55	1223^rd	1919	36.3%
2011	33.69	1390^th	1985	30.0%
2012	15.80	1755^th	1984	11.5%
2013	17.30	1789^th	2029	11.8%
2014	26.36	1587^th	2064	23.1%
2016	32.41	1450^th	2087	30.5%
2017	25.78	1611^th	2112	23.7%
2018	29.72	1523^rd	2118	28.1%
2019	22.18	1778^th	2182	18.5%
2021	21.44	1790^th	2247	20.3%
2022	20.66	1838^th	2219	17.2%
2023	25.22	1739^th	2240	22.4%
2024	23.88	1800^th	2256	20.2%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Orange River Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	468	98	12	108	0	n/a	n/a	0	686
1989	481	122	10	122	0	n/a	n/a	0	735
1990	503	123	14	140	0	n/a	n/a	0	780
1991	503	172	12	150	0	n/a	n/a	0	837
1992	477	166	11	111	0	n/a	n/a	0	765
1993	436	164	9	115	0	n/a	n/a	0	724
1994	397	175	10	92	0	n/a	n/a	0	674
1995	368	156	5	165	0	n/a	n/a	0	694
1996	368	156	5	165	0	n/a	n/a	0	694
1997	402	168	8	177	0	n/a	n/a	0	755
1998	391	197	10	214	0	n/a	n/a	0	812
1999	371	158	10	221	1	n/a	n/a	0	761
2000	383	141	13	229	1	n/a	n/a	0	767
2001	390	146	14	230	2	n/a	n/a	0	782
2002	415	124	14	283	6	n/a	n/a	0	842
2003	415	124	14	283	6	n/a	n/a	0	842
2004	364	130	10	294	8	n/a	n/a	0	806
2005	354	93	10	323	6	n/a	n/a	0	786
2006	319	108	12	368	5	n/a	n/a	0	812
2007	273	97	14	420	3	n/a	n/a	49	856
2008	229	112	15	434	5	n/a	n/a	51	846
2009	198	117	11	401	4	n/a	n/a	47	778
2010	169	120	9	444	3	n/a	n/a	31	776
2011	153	123	11	508	1	0	16	0	812
2012	134	99	9	554	2	0	10	0	808
2013	120	94	10	569	2	0	13	0	808
2014	88	104	4	593	2	0	8	0	799
2015	88	82	3	625	2	0	10	0	810
2016	64	62	5	662	2	0	10	0	805
2017	65	55	2	706	2	0	9	0	839
2018	64	55	1	719	2	0	7	0	848
2019	52	56	0	728	1	0	5	0	842
2020	46	50	1	711	0	0	6	0	814
2021	46	55	1	662	0	0	3	0	767
2022	46	50	3	713	0	0	3	0	815
2023	43	52	1	687	0	1	4	0	788

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Orange River Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	686	34.0	20.1	46.2
1989	735	36.0	20.4	46.7
1990	780	38.0	20.5	50.4
1991	837	42.0	19.9	53.9
1992	765	38.0	20.1	49.7
1993	724	34.0	21.3	60.9
1994	674	37.0	18.2	60.2
1995	694	42.0	16.5	59.5
1996	694	42.0	16.5	59.5
1997	755	45.0	16.8	54.7
1998	812	49.0	16.6	61.7
1999	761	49.0	15.5	75.6
2000	767	47.0	16.3	73.5
2001	782	46.0	17.0	72.3
2002	842	47.0	17.9	77.8
2003	842	47.0	17.9	77.8
2004	806	48.0	16.8	77.8
2005	786	49.0	16.0	79.9
2006	812	53.0	15.3	75.5
2007	856	51.0	16.8	76.1
2008	846	54.0	15.7	85.5
2009	778	55.7	14.1	93
2010	776	54.5	14.2	95.4
2011	812	55.6	14.6	92.1
2012	808	56.8	14.2	94.2
2013	808	55.0	14.6	94.4
2014	799	59.0	13.5	95.1
2015	810	56.0	14.4	96.2
2016	805	53.0	15.1	86.6
2017	839	59.0	14.2	82.8
2018	848	60.0	14.1	82.5
2019	842	48.4	17.3	74.1
2020	814	49.0	16.6	67.2
2021	767	46.0	16.6	63.9
2022	815	49.0	16.6	62.8
2023	788	44.0	17.9	61.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Orange River Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	686	34.0	20.1	46.2
1989	735	36.0	20.4	46.7
1990	780	38.0	20.5	50.4
1991	837	42.0	19.9	53.9
1992	765	38.0	20.1	49.7
1993	724	34.0	21.3	60.9
1994	674	37.0	18.2	60.2
1995	694	42.0	16.5	59.5
1996	694	42.0	16.5	59.5
1997	755	45.0	16.8	54.7
1998	812	49.0	16.6	61.7
1999	761	49.0	15.5	75.6
2000	767	47.0	16.3	73.5
2001	782	46.0	17.0	72.3
2002	842	47.0	17.9	77.8
2003	842	47.0	17.9	77.8
2004	806	48.0	16.8	77.8
2005	786	49.0	16.0	79.9
2006	812	53.0	15.3	75.5
2007	856	51.0	16.8	76.1
2008	846	54.0	15.7	85.5
2009	778	55.7	14.1	93
2010	776	54.5	14.2	95.4
2011	812	55.6	14.6	92.1
2012	808	56.8	14.2	94.2
2013	808	55.0	14.6	94.4
2014	799	59.0	13.5	95.1
2015	810	56.0	14.4	96.2
2016	805	53.0	15.1	86.6
2017	839	59.0	14.2	82.8
2018	848	60.0	14.1	82.5
2019	842	48.4	17.3	74.1
2020	814	49.0	16.6	67.2
2021	767	46.0	16.6	63.9
2022	815	49.0	16.6	62.8
2023	788	44.0	17.9	61.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Orange River Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,204 (13.2%)	$7,895 (86.8%)	$9,099
2019	$1,043 (11.5%)	$8,028 (88.5%)	$9,071
2020	$955 (10.5%)	$8,155 (89.5%)	$9,110
2021	$1,267 (12.4%)	$8,983 (87.6%)	$10,251
2022	$2,169 (18.9%)	$9,313 (81.1%)	$11,482
2023	$2,068 (18.3%)	$9,237 (81.7%)	$11,305

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Orange River Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1778^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1739^th of 2240 Elementary schools	3.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Orange River Elementary School)	35	28	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Lee)	58	48	10%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Orange River Elementary School)	42	37	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Lee)	61	56	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Orange River Elementary School)	37	40	3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Lee)	55	52	3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Orange River Elementary School)	55	54	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Lee)	62	59	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Orange River Elementary School)	38	35	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Lee)	54	50	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Orange River Elementary School)	55	36	19%
5th Grade Mathematics (Lee)	58	51	7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Orange River Elementary School)	32	38	6%
5th Grade Science (Lee)	50	50
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	842	788	6.4%
African American	56	52	7.1%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	0	1
Hispanic	728	687	5.6%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	52	43	17.3%
Two or More Races	5	4	20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	74.1%	61.4%	12.7%

Schools Near Orange River Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Orange River Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4501 Underwood Dr	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-1258	788	44	17.9	61.4%	43 (5.5%)	52 (6.6%)	687 (87.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.5%)	23.9	1800^th of 2256 public elementary schools	20.2%		25.2	1739^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.4%	61	39.0	29.0	34.0				49.0	44.0	50.0				41.0				$11,305	$2,068	$9,237
Manatee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5301 Tice St	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-2097	794	39	20.3	61.6%	86 (10.8%)	119 (15.0%)	559 (70.4%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (3.3%)	28.5	1662^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	26.3%		22.6	1809^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.2%	147	29.0	31.0	47.0				46.0	53.0	53.0				39.0				$11,191	$2,495	$8,696
Tice Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4524 Tice St	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 694-1257	514	34	14.9	58.4%	23 (4.5%)	23 (4.5%)	464 (90.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	20.4	1891^st of 2256 public elementary schools	16.2%		28.5	1647^th of 2240 public elementary schools	26.5%	244	25.0	29.0	38.0				35.0	40.0	59.0				41.0				$14,000	$2,664	$11,336
James Stephens Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1333 Marsh Ave	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 337-1333	454	27	17.1	65.4%	33 (7.3%)	186 (41.0%)	220 (48.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.6%)	18.5	1944^th of 2256 public elementary schools	13.8%		26.8	1688^th of 2240 public elementary schools	24.6%	256	28.0	16.0	19.0				48.0	57.0	26.0				31.0				$15,243	$3,820	$11,422
Edgewood Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	3464 Edgewood Ave	Fort Myers	33916	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 334-6205	480	35	13.7	63.1%	40 (8.3%)	118 (24.6%)	305 (63.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.3%)	10.8	2132^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	5.5%		23	1804^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.5%	328	31.0	24.0	26.0				46.0	33.0	26.0				26.0				$16,842	$3,843	$12,998
Bayshore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	17050 Williams Rd	North Fort Myers	33917	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 543-3663	603	30	19.9	44.3%	391 (64.8%)	14 (2.3%)	187 (31.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.7%)	56.5	934^th of 2256 public elementary schools	58.6%		60.4	828^th of 2240 public elementary schools	63.0%	106	60.0	54.0	49.0				52.0	75.0	67.0				47.0				$10,606	$1,523	$9,082
Franklin Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1320 Marsh Ave	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 332-1969	374	20	18.7	76.7%	12 (3.2%)	278 (74.3%)	74 (19.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.4%)	13	2088^th of 2256 public elementary schools	7.4%		11.2	2117^th of 2240 public elementary schools	5.5%	29	15.0	19.0	36.0				15.0	19.0	55.0				35.0				$14,135	$2,699	$11,436
J. Colin English Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	120 Pine Island Rd	North Fort Myers	33903	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 995-2258	438	25	17.6	71.2%	180 (41.1%)	46 (10.5%)	188 (42.9%)	7 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.4%)	22.5	1836^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.6%		36.9	1419^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.7%	417	32.0	44.0	36.0				39.0	49.0	36.0				38.0				$13,133	$2,108	$11,025
North Fort Myers Academy For The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1856 Arts Way	North Fort Myers	33917	Lee County	Lee	No	Yes	No	No	(239) 997-2131	1,106	55	20.2	53.0%	599 (54.2%)	72 (6.5%)	378 (34.2%)	10 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (4.1%)	44.7	1224^th of 2256 public elementary schools	45.7%		49.8	1102^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	50.8%	122	49.0	45.0	57.0	49.0	54.0	62.0	53.0	48.0	58.0	48.0	26.0	71.0	63.0	46.0	81.0	61.0	$10,659	$1,799	$8,860
Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4600 Challenger Blvd	Fort Myers	33966	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 274-3932	753	45	16.7	60.2%	86 (11.4%)	251 (33.3%)	359 (47.7%)	22 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (4.5%)	32.7	1541^st of 2256 public elementary schools	31.7%		37.3	1407^th of 2240 public elementary schools	37.2%	134	45.0	39.0	50.0				58.0	42.0	42.0				44.0				$12,994	$2,430	$10,565

Frequently Asked Questions about Orange River Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Orange River Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Orange River Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Harns Marsh Middle School
Middle : Lehigh Acres Middle School
Middle : Oak Hammock Middle School
Middle : Varsity Lakes Middle School
High : Dunbar High School
High : East Lee County High School
High : Lehigh Senior High School
High : Riverdale High School

Is Orange River Elementary School a good school?

Orange River Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.2% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Orange River Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 788 students attended Orange River Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Orange River Elementary School?

Students at Orange River Elementary School are 87% Hispanic, 7% African American, 5% White.

What district is Orange River Elementary School in?

Lee

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.