Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

Summary:

Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is a small public alternative school in Fort Myers, Florida, serving 131 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and is part of the Lee District, which is ranked 48th out of 67 districts in the state.

Despite a diverse student population, Royal Palm Exceptional School Center has struggled with significant challenges, including low graduation rates (13.3% four-year graduation rate in 2020-2021), high chronic absenteeism (67.6% in 2022-2023), and academic performance well below district and state averages. The school's racial makeup is more diverse than nearby schools like Buckingham Exceptional Student Center and County Wide Exceptional Child Programs, but it faces similar challenges with low academic achievement and high absenteeism. In contrast, the Lee County Virtual Franchise has significantly higher graduation rates and academic performance, highlighting the potential benefits of a virtual learning environment for some students.

Despite the school's high per-student spending of $47,949 in 2022-2023, which is significantly higher than district and state averages, Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is struggling to achieve positive outcomes for its students. This suggests that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution, and that other factors, such as instructional strategies, student support, and school culture, may play a crucial role in improving student success. As an alternative school, Royal Palm Exceptional School Center likely serves a population of students with unique needs and challenges, which may contribute to the school's low academic performance and high rates of chronic absenteeism, and addressing these specific needs may be essential for improving outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

3050 Indian St
Fort Myers, FL 33916

(239) 337-3511

District: Lee

Per Pupil Expenditures: $47,949

Student/teacher ratio: 5.2

Number of students: 131

Racial breakdown:

African American:

36.6%

Hispanic:

28.2%

White:

26.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 55.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 0.67. (See more...)

Compare Details Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2019 the calculated Average Standard Score was 0.79. (See more...)

Compare Details Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2010 the calculated Average Standard Score was 2.47. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Royal Palm Exceptional School Center who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 Student population at Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (36.6%), Hispanic (28.2%), White (26.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 55.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is 5.2, which is the lowest among 6 alternative schools in the Lee School District! (See more...)

Compare Royal Palm Exceptional School Center employs 25 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Royal Palm Exceptional School Center is $47,949, which is the 3^rd highest among 2 alternative schools in the Lee School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Royal Palm Exceptional School Center 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 Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	0.97	1687^th	1688	0.1%
2007	0.47	1782^nd	1786	0.2%
2008	0.59	1785^th	1789	0.2%
2009	0.66	1839^th	1847	0.4%
2012	3.40	1965^th	1984	1.0%
2013	0.37	2026^th	2029	0.1%
2014	0.34	2057^th	2064	0.3%
2018	0.23	2117^th	2118	0.0%
2019	0.75	2170^th	2182	0.5%
2021	0.57	2246^th	2247	0.0%
2023	0.67	2238^th	2240	0.1%

See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	1.69	675^th	675	0.0%
2007	1.20	729^th	736	1.0%
2008	0.85	738^th	740	0.3%
2009	2.59	755^th	780	3.2%
2010	1.32	831^st	839	1.0%
2011	1.34	882^nd	891	1.0%
2012	0.86	896^th	897	0.1%
2013	0.85	956^th	956	0.0%
2014	1.66	987^th	999	1.2%
2016	3.14	970^th	997	2.7%
2019	0.79	1099^th	1099	0.0%

See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2007	2.24	563^rd	563	0.0%
2008	2.20	572^nd	577	0.9%
2010	2.47	616^th	620	0.6%

See the entire list of Florida Alternative 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 Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	21	13	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	35
1989	27	10	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	37
1990	35	12	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	48
1991	39	22	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	63
1992	28	37	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	66
1993	22	43	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	70
1994	29	48	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	82
1995	36	60	0	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	106
1996	36	60	0	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	106
1997	58	73	0	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	143
1998	61	75	1	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	149
1999	60	75	0	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	146
2000	72	80	0	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	165
2001	84	74	0	19	1	n/a	n/a	0	178
2002	82	93	0	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	192
2003	82	93	0	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	192
2004	71	94	0	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	178
2005	74	94	0	18	0	n/a	n/a	0	186
2006	79	104	0	19	1	n/a	n/a	0	203
2007	75	80	0	17	0	n/a	n/a	9	181
2008	63	75	0	23	0	n/a	n/a	11	172
2009	55	72	0	18	0	n/a	n/a	9	154
2010	59	73	0	28	0	n/a	n/a	5	165
2011	53	72	0	28	0	0	3	0	156
2012	50	59	0	37	0	0	11	0	157
2013	54	58	0	34	0	0	8	0	154
2014	52	57	0	29	0	0	6	0	144
2015	44	52	0	20	0	0	4	0	120
2016	46	50	0	21	0	0	5	0	122
2017	57	69	0	23	0	0	7	0	156
2018	48	60	0	36	0	0	10	0	154
2019	49	67	1	37	0	0	9	0	163
2020	58	66	0	46	1	0	11	0	182
2021	48	60	0	49	1	0	9	0	167
2022	39	44	0	43	1	0	6	0	133
2023	35	48	0	37	2	0	9	0	131

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 Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	35	6.0	5.8	80
1989	37	8.0	4.6	83.8
1990	48	8.0	6.0	70.8
1991	63	11.0	5.7	66.7
1992	66	10.0	6.6	77.3
1993	70	13.0	5.4	88.6
1994	82	15.0	5.5	85.4
1995	106	22.0	4.8	83
1996	106	22.0	4.8	83
1997	143	25.0	5.7	74.8
1998	149	28.0	5.3	74.5
1999	146	28.0	5.2	82.9
2000	165	25.0	6.6	80.6
2001	178	25.0	7.1	87.6
2002	192	26.0	7.4	82.3
2003	192	26.0	7.4	82.3
2004	178	28.0	6.4	88.2
2005	186	27.0	6.9	90.3
2006	203	26.0	7.8	73.9
2007	181	27.0	6.7	79.7
2008	172	25.0	6.9	88.2
2009	154	26.4	5.9	92.4
2010	165	26.0	6.3	93.8
2011	156	25.0	6.2	91
2012	157	25.0	6.2	93
2013	154	27.0	5.7	89.6
2014	144	26.0	5.5	93.1
2015	120	26.0	4.6	95
2016	122	24.0	5.0	86.1
2017	156	26.0	6.0	76.3
2018	154	33.0	4.6	77.9
2019	163	27.0	6.0	69.9
2020	182	29.0	6.2	74.2
2021	167	31.0	5.3	76
2022	133	28.0	4.7	61.7
2023	131	25.0	5.2	55.7

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 Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	35	6.0	5.8	80
1989	37	8.0	4.6	83.8
1990	48	8.0	6.0	70.8
1991	63	11.0	5.7	66.7
1992	66	10.0	6.6	77.3
1993	70	13.0	5.4	88.6
1994	82	15.0	5.5	85.4
1995	106	22.0	4.8	83
1996	106	22.0	4.8	83
1997	143	25.0	5.7	74.8
1998	149	28.0	5.3	74.5
1999	146	28.0	5.2	82.9
2000	165	25.0	6.6	80.6
2001	178	25.0	7.1	87.6
2002	192	26.0	7.4	82.3
2003	192	26.0	7.4	82.3
2004	178	28.0	6.4	88.2
2005	186	27.0	6.9	90.3
2006	203	26.0	7.8	73.9
2007	181	27.0	6.7	79.7
2008	172	25.0	6.9	88.2
2009	154	26.4	5.9	92.4
2010	165	26.0	6.3	93.8
2011	156	25.0	6.2	91
2012	157	25.0	6.2	93
2013	154	27.0	5.7	89.6
2014	144	26.0	5.5	93.1
2015	120	26.0	4.6	95
2016	122	24.0	5.0	86.1
2017	156	26.0	6.0	76.3
2018	154	33.0	4.6	77.9
2019	163	27.0	6.0	69.9
2020	182	29.0	6.2	74.2
2021	167	31.0	5.3	76
2022	133	28.0	4.7	61.7
2023	131	25.0	5.2	55.7

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 Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$5,103 (13.6%)	$32,339 (86.4%)	$37,442
2019	$3,066 (9.6%)	$28,995 (90.4%)	$32,060
2020	$3,202 (10.2%)	$28,202 (89.8%)	$31,404
2021	$4,024 (11.3%)	$31,551 (88.7%)	$35,575
2022	$6,594 (15.0%)	$37,256 (85.0%)	$43,850
2023	$8,155 (17.0%)	$39,795 (83.0%)	$47,949

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

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 2170^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2238^th of 2240 Elementary schools	0.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
5th Grade Science (Royal Palm Exceptional School Center)	7	0	7%
5th Grade Science (Lee)	50	50
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Royal Palm Exceptional School Center)	8	0	8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lee)	52	49	3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
End of Course Civics (Royal Palm Exceptional School Center)	13	0	13%
End of Course Civics (Lee)	67	60	7%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	163	131	19.6%
African American	67	48	28.4%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	37	37
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	49	35	28.6%
Two or More Races	9	9
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	69.9%	55.7%	14.2%

Schools Near Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				FAST English Language Arts (2024)								FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Royal Palm Exceptional School Center	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	3050 Indian St	Fort Myers	33916	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 337-3511	131	25	5.2	55.7%	35 (26.7%)	48 (36.6%)	37 (28.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (6.9%)								(n/a)				8.0										0.0								$47,949	$8,155	$39,795
Lee Virtual Instruction Program	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	2855 Colonial Blvd	Fort Myers	33966	Lee County	Lee	No	No	Yes	No	(239) 337-8178	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Lee County Virtual Franchise	Public, Virtual, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2855 Colonial Blvd	Fort Myers	33966	Lee County	Lee	No	No	Yes	No	(239) 337-8178	801	39	20.5	10.7%	424 (52.9%)	64 (8.0%)	272 (34.0%)	13 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.4%)								(n/a)	65.0	52.0	54.0	63.0	69.0	54.0	64.0	41.0	53.0	26.0	23.0	40.0	55.0	44.0	40.0	43.0	52.0	23.0	62.0	58.0	64.0	$11,901	$1,756	$10,146
County Wide Exceptional Child Programs	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2855 Colonial Blvd	Fort Myers	33966	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	No	(239) 337-8104	79	0		25.3%	38 (48.1%)	3 (3.8%)	38 (48.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																						$106,957	$18,998	$87,958
Buckingham Exceptional Student Center	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	3291 Buckingham Rd	Fort Myers	33905	Lee County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(239) 693-1233	63	10	6.3	46.0%	25 (39.7%)	7 (11.1%)	27 (42.9%)	2 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.2%)								(n/a)																						$48,663	$6,499	$42,163
Gateway Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	12850 Commonwealth Dr	Fort Myers	33913	Lee County	Lee	Yes	No	No	No	(239) 768-5048	1,245	62	20.0	67.9%	244 (19.6%)	349 (28.0%)	583 (46.8%)	19 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.3%)	46 (3.7%)								(n/a)	49.0	40.0	49.0	51.0	45.0	47.0	49.0	48.0	47.0	43.0	30.0	43.0	54.0	46.0	47.0	39.0	36.0	57.0	66.0	63.0	59.0	$8,668	$234	$8,434
Babcock Neighborhood School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	43301 Cypress Pkwy	Punta Gorda	33982	Charlotte County	Charlotte	Yes	No	No	No	(239) 567-3043	789	51	15.4	2.7%	610 (77.3%)	17 (2.2%)	119 (15.1%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	35 (4.4%)								(n/a)	71.0	60.0	57.0	50.0	46.0	54.0	60.0	48.0	67.0	78.0	54.0	37.0	57.0	46.0	40.0	43.0	82.0	79.0	72.0	71.0	62.0	$12,635	$1,253	$11,382

Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Palm Exceptional School Center

How many students attend Royal Palm Exceptional School Center?

In the 2022-23 school year, 131 students attended Royal Palm Exceptional School Center.

What district is Royal Palm Exceptional School Center in?

Lee

What is the racial makeup of Royal Palm Exceptional School Center?

Students at Royal Palm Exceptional School Center are 37% African American, 28% Hispanic, 27% White, 7% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

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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.