Sanibel Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters · Photo: Lewis Brian Day · CC BY-SA 4.0Sanibel’s public schools score below 64% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Sanibel, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Sanibel’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 281 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sanibel’s, its schools beat 4%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 48% in math, against 52% and 52% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,384 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then 15 high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Sanibel’s grade
C+: better than 36% of Florida school districts, #515 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sanibel, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sanibel
The Sanibel School
Grades PK–8 · 225 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Sanibel’s public schools are run by Lee County School District, which also serves Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero and Fort Myers Beach and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Sanibel vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Sanibel’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sanibel | C+ | Lee County |
Every school in Sanibel
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Sanibel’s schools
Are Sanibel’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sanibel children attend score below 64% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #515 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sanibel in?
Lee County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 102,506 students in 115 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sanibel kids go to high school?
One of 15 high schools, depending on your address: Lehigh Senior High School, Gateway High School, Ida S. Baker High School, East Lee County High School, Cape Coral High School, North Fort Myers High School, Riverdale High School, Mariner High School, Fort Myers High School, Dunbar High School, South Fort Myers High School, Estero High School, Bonita Springs High School, Island Coast High School and Cypress Lake High School.
What is Sanibel’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Lee County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Sanibel spend per student?
$12,384 in Lee County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Sanibel families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sanibel → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.