Below Average
#3407 of 3,777 schools in FL
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
Middle School · LEE
4750 WINKLER AVENUE EXT, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Enrollment
995
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
995
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Myers
#36 of 44
public schools
Florida middle schools
#535 of 573
In district
#87 of 110
LEE
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School serves 995 students in grades 6-8 in Fort Myers, Florida. This regular public school operates with 45 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1. Academically, the school is focusing on student development, with 41% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 32% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 11th percentile among Florida's middle schools, indicating significant room for academic growth as educators work to support their diverse student body. Located on Winkler Avenue Extension, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School sits within the 33966 ZIP code area, a community characterized by relative economic stability. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $79,172 and median home values of $326,900, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.6%, serving a population of approximately 11,236 residents. The school operates in Fort Myers' small city environment, providing middle school students with educational opportunities in Lee County's established educational system.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is 22.1:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School — Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.6/10.
How Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School Compares
See how Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
4750 WINKLER AVENUE EXT, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RAY V. POTTORF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER (rated 6.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Myers, see our Fort Myers schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33966 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,812
Median Home Value
$362,400
Median Rent
$1,743/mo
Population
11,901
College Educated
44.4%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School has a median household income of $86,812. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,400, with a median rent of $1,743/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| BELLVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 4.5 |
| CHAIN OF LAKES MIDDLE Orlando, FL | 4.5 |
| DRIFTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Hollywood, FL | 4.5 |
| FORT KING MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala, FL | 4.5 |
| LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY MIDDLE Lake Worth, FL | 4.5 |
| MARGATE MIDDLE SCHOOL Margate, FL | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 995 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School rank in FL?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is ranked #3407 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School has 41.6% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School a charter school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School a Title I school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
53.5% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 995
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (239) 334-1357
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LEE- District Enrollment
- 100,064
- Schools in District
- 120
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,108
- District Rank
- #87 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.
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