Excellent
#78 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 2% in state
The Sanibel School
Elementary School · LEE
3840 SANIBEL CAPTIVA RD, Sanibel, FL 33957
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Florida elementary schools
#73 of 2,196
In district
#3 of 110
LEE
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About The Sanibel School
The Sanibel School is a public elementary school in Sanibel, FL, part of the LEE. The school serves approximately 226 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 98th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 89% proficiency in math, 34 points above the state average and 91% in reading/language arts, 38 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $122,730, where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, The Sanibel School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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The Sanibel School — Students at The Sanibel School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How The Sanibel School Compares
See how The Sanibel School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 92% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92% (2021).
Location
3840 SANIBEL CAPTIVA RD, Sanibel, FL 33957
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Sanibel School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FORT MYERS BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Myers Beach), with a very similar rating. Another option is CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Cape Coral), a more accessible option. Additionally, CAPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Cape Coral), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sanibel, see our Sanibel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33957 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$122,730
Median Home Value
$912,200
Median Rent
$747/mo
Population
6,402
College Educated
61.6%
Homeownership
91.6%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
68.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Sanibel School has a median household income of $122,730. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $912,200, with a median rent of $747/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| SOMERSET ACADEMY MIRAMAR SOUTH Miramar, FL | 8.9 |
| SOMERSET PALMS ACADEMY Miami, FL | 8.9 |
| TRUE NORTH CLASSICAL ACADEMY AT PINECREST Pinecrest, FL | 8.9 |
| ALTOONA SCHOOL Altoona, FL | 8.8 |
| ANNA MARIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holmes Beach, FL | 9.0 |
| CORONADO BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Smyrna Beach, FL | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Sanibel School
What grades does The Sanibel School serve?
The Sanibel School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend The Sanibel School?
The Sanibel School has an enrollment of approximately 226 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Sanibel School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Sanibel School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Sanibel School rank in FL?
The Sanibel School is ranked #78 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is The Sanibel School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Sanibel School has a composite rating of 8.9 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 The Sanibel School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Sanibel School has 89.0% math proficiency and 90.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is The Sanibel School a charter school?
No, The Sanibel School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is The Sanibel School a Title I school?
No, The Sanibel School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Sanibel School?
15.5% of students at The Sanibel 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 226
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (239) 472-1617
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LEE- District Enrollment
- 100,064
- Schools in District
- 120
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,108
- District Rank
- #3 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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