Quick Answer
For 2025-26, Collier County Public Schools earned an A district grade and the School District of Lee County earned a B. In Collier, 51 of 61 graded public and charter schools earned an A; in Lee, 33 of 96 did, with another 28 earning a B. The bigger difference for families is how students are assigned: Collier uses attendance boundaries tied to a home's address, while Lee uses proximity and choice zones with a lottery when schools are full.
How are Florida public schools graded?
The Florida Department of Education grades every public school each summer on the share of possible points it earns. Elementary schools are measured on reading, math and science achievement and on learning gains, including gains for the students who need the most help. Middle and high schools add measures like advanced coursework, and high schools add graduation rates and college and career readiness. Each percentage range on the state's scale maps to a letter grade. The "Points" figure in the list is that percentage, which helps tell apart two schools with the same letter grade.
How do school assignments work in Lee County?
Lee County uses a choice system built around where you live. Elementary and middle school students choose from a small group of schools in their proximity zone, often one to five schools. High school students choose within one of three large zones, East, South and West, each split into subzones. When a school has more applicants than seats, a lottery decides. Families moving into Lee County apply through the district's enrollment process. To see the zone for a specific address, use the district's School Enrollment Zones page.
How do school assignments work in Collier County?
Collier County uses attendance boundaries, so a home's address sets its zoned elementary, middle and high school. Families can apply to a different school through the district's school choice process when there's space. Boundaries do change as new schools open, so confirm a specific address with the district's Attendance Boundaries page before you rely on it.
What about charter schools?
Charter schools are free public schools run by independent boards. They aren't tied to a home's address; families apply directly, and popular charters fill by lottery, often with waiting lists. If a particular charter school matters to you, apply early, sometimes well before you close on a home.
How should I use school grades when choosing a home?
As a starting point. A grade is a snapshot of one year's test-based measures, and the trend over three years often tells you more than a single letter. Visit the schools, talk to the principal, and confirm the assignment for the exact address, especially in Lee County, where a zone, not just the nearest school, decides. We'll gladly point you to the right district tools and help you check before you write an offer, so the home you choose fits the way your family wants to live.