Skip to main content

Average

#2008 of 3,777 schools in FL

Dunbar High School

High School · LEE

3800 E EDISON AVE, Fort Myers, FL 33916

Enrollment

1,762

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Myers

#8 of 44

public schools

Florida high schools

#154 of 748

In district

#33 of 110

LEE

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Dunbar High School

Dunbar High School serves 1,762 students in grades 9 through 12 in Fort Myers, providing comprehensive high school education with 80 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. As a regular public school in Lee County, Dunbar focuses on supporting students with room for academic growth, with 36% of students currently performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading. The school ranks in the 11th percentile among Florida high schools, indicating significant opportunities for academic improvement and student development.

With nearly 1,800 students, Dunbar represents one of the larger high schools in the area, offering the potential for diverse course offerings and extracurricular opportunities that come with a substantial student body. Dunbar High School is located on East Edison Avenue in the 33916 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $46,342 and approximately 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community has a median home value of $209,400, reflecting a working-class neighborhood with a population of over 26,000 residents.

The school serves families in this Fort Myers community where about one in five residents faces economic challenges, positioning Dunbar as an important educational anchor in this small city setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dunbar High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Dunbar High School is 22:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Reading vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,788

Dunbar High School — Students at Dunbar High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
33%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2024
ELA
36.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How Dunbar High School Compares

See how Dunbar High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in FL
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
9.8% participation·107 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3800 E EDISON AVE, Fort Myers, FL 33916

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunbar High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER (rated 6.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is SUCCESS ACADEMY (rated 5.7/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, YOUNG PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM (rated 5.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fort Myers, see our Fort Myers schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
APOSTOLIC REVIVAL CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Myers 0.5 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING SERVICES Fort Myers 1.0 mi 5.1
YOUNG PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM Fort Myers 1.0 mi 5.6
SUCCESS ACADEMY Fort Myers 1.0 mi 5.7
ROYAL PALM EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL CENTER Fort Myers 1.3 mi 5.9
SW FL ADDICTION SERVICES-THE VINCE SMITH CENTER Ft. Myers 1.3 mi
FRANKLIN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 1.5 mi 3.3
JAMES STEPHENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 1.6 mi 4.7
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Fort Myers 1.6 mi 6.1
FORT MYERS ACADEMY Fort Myers 1.6 mi
COLONIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 1.8 mi 4.4
NEW LIFE ACADEMY Fort Myers 2.0 mi 6.4
ROCK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Myers 2.0 mi
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY Fort Myers 2.0 mi 5.5
FORT MYERS MIDDLE ACADEMY Fort Myers 2.1 mi 5.5
RAY V. POTTORF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers 2.4 mi 6.5
CITY OF PALMS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Fort Myers 2.4 mi 3.6
PACE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Ft. Myers 2.4 mi 4.8
LEE COUNTY JAIL Fort Myers 2.3 mi
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Myers 2.6 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33916 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,353

Median Home Value

$242,300

Median Rent

$1,363/mo

Population

27,642

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

34.3%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunbar High School has a median household income of $49,353. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,300, with a median rent of $1,363/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL 6.3
NICEVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Niceville, FL 6.3
PINECREST GLADES PREPARATORY ACADEMY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL 6.3
SEBASTIAN RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Sebastian, FL 6.3
ARMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Seffner, FL 6.2
BOCA CIEGA HIGH SCHOOL Gulfport, FL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunbar High School

What grades does Dunbar High School serve?

Dunbar High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Dunbar High School?

Dunbar High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,762 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunbar High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dunbar High School is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dunbar High School rank in FL?

Dunbar High School is ranked #2008 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Dunbar High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunbar High School has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Dunbar High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunbar High School has 30.5% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dunbar High School a charter school?

No, Dunbar High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dunbar High School a Title I school?

No, Dunbar High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dunbar High School?

56.9% of students at Dunbar High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (730/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,762
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LEE
District Enrollment
100,064
Schools in District
120
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,108
District Rank
#33 of 110

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.