Below Average
#3198 of 3,777 schools in FL
Sunshine Elementary School
Elementary School · LEE
601 SARA AVE N, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
Enrollment
1,377
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,377
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lehigh Acres
#9 of 14
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#2,023 of 2,196
In district
#73 of 110
LEE
About Sunshine Elementary School
Sunshine Elementary School serves 1,377 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Lehigh Acres, a growing community in Lee County. With 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.2 to 1, providing educational services to families in this large suburban area. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 37% of students performing at proficient levels or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics.
These results place Sunshine Elementary in the 14th percentile among Florida elementary schools, ranking 3,280 out of 3,816 schools statewide. The school community is working to support student development and academic growth across all grade levels. Sunshine Elementary sits in a diverse neighborhood where the median household income is $69,061 and the median home value reaches $240,900.
The surrounding ZIP code of 33971 is home to 28,712 residents, with 15% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.7%. The school serves families in this established suburban community, where many are building new lives and seeking educational opportunities for their children in Lee County's expanding residential areas.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Elementary School is 24.2:1, 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
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Sunshine Elementary School — Students at Sunshine Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.4%
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: 4.9/10.
How Sunshine Elementary School Compares
See how Sunshine Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 38% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 43% (2019) to 42% (2021).
Location
601 SARA AVE N, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunshine Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MIRROR LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is G. WEAVER HIPPS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VETERANS PARK ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS (rated 6.4/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lehigh Acres, see our Lehigh Acres schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33971 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,784
Median Home Value
$271,900
Median Rent
$1,678/mo
Population
28,377
College Educated
14.7%
Homeownership
79.8%
Avg Commute
34.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunshine Elementary School has a median household income of $72,784. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $271,900, with a median rent of $1,678/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DUVAL CHARTER SCHOOL AT SOUTHSIDE Jacksonville, FL | 4.9 |
| GATEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL | 4.9 |
| DUVAL CHARTER AT BAYMEADOWS Jacksonville, FL | 5.0 |
| KENSINGTON PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 5.0 |
| TORTUGA PRESERVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lehigh Acres, FL | 5.0 |
| FRANKLIN ACADEMY- PALM BEACH GARDENS Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunshine Elementary School
What grades does Sunshine Elementary School serve?
Sunshine Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sunshine Elementary School?
Sunshine Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,377 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Elementary School is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunshine Elementary School rank in FL?
Sunshine Elementary School is ranked #3198 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Sunshine Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunshine Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Sunshine Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunshine Elementary School has 40.2% math proficiency and 39.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunshine Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sunshine Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunshine Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sunshine Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunshine Elementary School?
75.4% of students at Sunshine Elementary 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 1,377
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (239) 369-5836
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LEE- District Enrollment
- 100,064
- Schools in District
- 120
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,108
- District Rank
- #73 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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