Lee County Public Schools serves over 100,000 students across 134 schools, making it one of Florida's largest districts. The district earned a B rating for 2024-2025, with 14 schools achieving A status and 27 schools earning B grades. No schools received failing marks. Under Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin's leadership, the district has set an ambitious goal to become the top district in Florida, with recent investments in facilities, curriculum, and teacher development driving measurable improvements.
For physician families, the key consideration is school selection based on neighborhood. The quality varies significantly across the district, and the neighborhoods most popular with Lee Health providers (Whiskey Creek, Gateway, McGregor corridor, Three Oaks area) provide access to some of the district's highest-performing schools. With careful neighborhood selection, your children can access excellent public education at no cost beyond property taxes.
Three Oaks Elementary consistently ranks among Lee County's best elementary schools, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranking in the top 20% of Florida elementary schools. Located in the Three Oaks/Estero area south of Fort Myers, the school serves approximately 1,000 students in grades PK-5. Test scores significantly exceed both district and state averages; for example, 73% of third graders demonstrated ELA proficiency compared to 48% district-wide and 55% statewide. The school offers a Gifted & Talented program and maintains relatively low chronic absenteeism rates compared to area alternatives.
Other high-performing elementary options include:
These schools share common characteristics: smaller class sizes, engaged parent communities, and locations in established residential neighborhoods where property values support strong school funding. Many offer Gifted & Talented programs, and several participate in magnet or specialized programs.
Cypress Lake Middle School stands out as a public magnet school offering Gifted & Talented and Cambridge International curriculum options. The school consistently ranks in the top 30% of Florida middle schools, with exceptional performance in advanced courses. In 2024-2025, Cypress Lake achieved 96% proficiency in Algebra 1 EOC (compared to 49% district and 60% state), 100% proficiency in Geometry EOC, and 75% proficiency in Civics EOC. The school serves approximately 750 students with a focus on academic acceleration.
Three Oaks Middle School also offers Gifted & Talented and Cambridge International programming. The school serves the southern Fort Myers/Estero area and provides continuity for families whose children attend Three Oaks Elementary. Other strong middle school options include Gateway Charter School and Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts, which emphasizes arts integration alongside core academics.
North Fort Myers High School recently improved to A status, demonstrating measurable growth in English, math, biology, and U.S. history proficiency along with strong graduation rates and social mobility metrics. Cypress Lake High School serves the Cypress Lake area and feeds students from Cypress Lake Middle, providing continuity for families in that zone.
The district offers several specialized programs at the high school level:
For physician families, the combination of strong elementary and middle school options with dual enrollment and early college opportunities can provide excellent preparation for competitive universities without private school tuition costs.
Canterbury School represents Fort Myers' premier independent school, offering a rigorous college preparatory education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded in 1964, the nonsectarian school serves approximately 800 students with a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, creating an intimate learning environment focused on academic excellence, character development, leadership, and service.
The school's academic program earned Platinum recognition on the 2024 AP School Honor Roll, with 95% of seniors taking at least one AP exam and over 80% earning scores of 3 or higher. Canterbury offers 34 AP courses, including the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma program. National Merit recognition is common, with multiple students named Finalists and Commended Students in recent years.
College guidance begins in ninth grade, with personalized counseling that helps students build balanced college lists and prepare strong applications. Recent graduates have matriculated to top 50 universities, with representation at highly selective institutions. Every senior completes an Independent Senior Project (ISP), an off-campus internship providing hands-on experience in a field of personal or career interest.
Upper School students complete 100 hours of community service before graduation. The school offers 12 interscholastic sports, active arts programs, and numerous clubs. The campus at 8141 College Parkway provides modern facilities within easy reach of Lee Health locations.
Since 1962, Bishop Verot Catholic High School has provided college preparatory education within the Roman Catholic tradition through the Diocese of Venice. The school serves approximately 870 students in grades 9-12 with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio and average class sizes of 24.
The curriculum includes 12 Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment options with local colleges. Students requiring additional support benefit from learning disability assistance programs. The school's athletic program includes 20 sports, and 21 extracurricular activities provide leadership and engagement opportunities. The faith-based environment emphasizes service, character development, and ethical formation alongside academic achievement.
Bishop Verot alumni include physicians, attorneys, educators, and community leaders throughout Southwest Florida. The school's location on 41 provides convenient access from most Fort Myers neighborhoods.
Founded in 1973, Evangelical Christian School (ECS) operates as an independent, college preparatory institution on a 28-acre campus. The school incorporates biblical principles throughout academics, athletics, technology, and fine arts while maintaining rigorous academic standards. ECS serves approximately 1,000 students from nursery school through 12th grade.
The curriculum includes 10 Advanced Placement and honors courses, preparing students for selective college admissions. The school offers 14 sports and 8 extracurricular activities. The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with average class sizes around 17 students provides personalized attention while maintaining diverse peer interactions.
Southwest Florida Christian Academy (SFCA) opened in 1994 as a ministry of McGregor Baptist Church. The school serves approximately 825 students with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. The college preparatory high school offers Advanced Placement courses for grades 10-12, and 98% of graduates attend four-year colleges.
The 115-acre campus provides extensive athletic facilities including two gymnasiums, a weight room, and an athletic complex with football/soccer field and baseball/softball fields. The school offers more than a dozen sports programs. SFCA emphasizes biblical worldview teaching while maintaining academic standards that prepare students for competitive universities.
Fort Myers Christian School (established 1979) provides Christian education through First Assembly of God with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and average class sizes of 15. Tuition runs approximately $12,285 for grades K-8.
St. Michael Lutheran School offers accredited Lutheran education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, providing a faith-based alternative for families seeking smaller class sizes and individualized attention.
Crestwell School, founded in 1994, consistently ranks among Fort Myers' best private schools, offering small class sizes and a diverse community environment for pre-K through 8th grade. The school's focus on academic rigor and individual attention appeals to families seeking alternatives to larger institutions.
Additional faith-based options include numerous Catholic elementary schools (St. Francis Xavier, St. Andrew, St. Cecilia), Lutheran schools, and Christian academies throughout Lee County. Montessori schools serve families preferring that educational philosophy.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) brings university resources directly to the Fort Myers community. Established in 1991 on an 807-acre campus south of Fort Myers, FGCU has grown into a significant public institution within the State University System of Florida. The university offers 65 bachelor's degree programs, 27 master's programs, 7 doctoral programs, and 19 academic certificates.
FGCU earned Forbes ranking of 247th among top 500 private and public colleges (113th among public colleges, 58th in the South) for 2024-25. The Lutgert College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, and The Princeton Review ranked FGCU's undergraduate entrepreneurship program 30th overall nationally and first in Florida. The university's commitment to environmental sustainability and integration with natural preserves creates a distinctive campus experience.
For physician families, FGCU provides local access to continuing education, graduate programs, and cultural events. High school students can pursue dual enrollment, earning college credits while completing secondary education. The university's athletic teams (Eagles) compete at NCAA Division I level, providing collegiate sports entertainment for the community.
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) offers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields, and workforce certifications. The main campus in Fort Myers serves as a community college resource for adult learners, career changers, and students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions. FSW's Thomas Edison campus provides convenient access to academic programming.
Lee County Public Schools operates Gifted & Talented programs at multiple schools, including Three Oaks Elementary, Cypress Lake Middle, and Three Oaks Middle. The Cambridge International program at Cypress Lake Middle and Three Oaks Middle provides rigorous academic preparation with internationally recognized credentials.
Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School allows academically advanced students to earn associate degrees alongside high school diplomas, providing a head start on college while saving tuition costs. The early college model appeals to motivated students seeking accelerated pathways.
Canterbury School's AP Capstone Diploma and 34 AP course offerings provide the most extensive advanced placement opportunities in the region. For families prioritizing preparation for elite universities, Canterbury's track record of National Merit recognition and college placements demonstrates outcomes that justify the tuition investment.
The Lee County Library System operates branches throughout the region, providing free access to books, digital resources, homework help, and programming for children and teens. The IMAG History & Science Center offers hands-on STEM education through exhibits and camps. Edison and Ford Winter Estates provides STEAM camps connecting students to invention and innovation history.
Local tutoring centers, test preparation services, and enrichment programs supplement school offerings for families seeking additional academic support or acceleration. Music and arts instruction is available through private studios and community organizations including Alliance for the Arts.
Fort Myers offers educational pathways that meet diverse family needs, from high-performing public schools in select neighborhoods to elite private institutions with national recognition. With physician income levels, families can choose the option that best fits their children's needs, whether that means investing in Canterbury's premier program, selecting faith-based education at Bishop Verot or ECS, or maximizing excellent public school options while saving education dollars for college funding. The key is selecting a neighborhood that provides access to strong schools, whether public or private, and engaging early with the admission process for competitive private programs.
