Best Schools in Area

[whippersnapper]

Trafalgar Elementary is pretty good for the younger ones and I second Ida Baker High for your oldest. They're two of the best schools in the Cape and the principal of the elementary school is married to the principal of the high school.

[NY62]

what month is the best month to enroll to get the school you want ? Trying for trafalgar middle or gulf. anyone know ? Boy you would think the schools would be empty , with the way people on this forum say people are leaving. LOL I was regestering my child and there was a ton of people from other states doing the same. I guess people are buying homes after all.

[kpeacef]

The best month to register your child is March I believe, this way you get into the first drawing for your choice school. You can visit the schools website for more info. Welcome to The School District of Lee County

As far as the schools go for the family looking... we had our children at Caloosa elementary for 4 years, I don't have any complaints, it is a great school with some sweet teachers. My kids would still be there except my oldest went into middle school this year and we didn't want him in public school (middle schools are not the greatest) so we sent them all to a private school after hearing that there is partial scholarships available Florida P.R.I.D.E. (we are sooooo greatful for it). As far as high schools go, I appologize but I can not truly recommend any of them to you, I have heard bad about everyone of them, except Ida Baker (mostly drug related problems) and this is first hand from family and friends. So basically I guess I would recommend Caloosa for elementary and private school after that! One note though, I have been hearing good things about the new charter schools, I would definetly look into them Cape Coral Charter Schools :0) Best wishes on your move, glad to have you.

[Obxnc7]

I too am headed to Florida. Will be heading that way next week to start the moving process. I have checked out St. Francis Xavier Catholic School for my children. I don't know how it compares to others? Does anyone have any information on it? Also, if you have a pre-school child and you send them to private pre-school, does the state have a voucher program of any kind that pays for a percent of it?

[NY62]

anyone know about challenger middle school ?

[kpeacef]

I am sorry I don't know much about Challenger middle other than it is a new school just in the last year or two, nice campus.

St.Francis has been around for years and I have never heard anything negative about it...not in the greatest part of town, downtown Ft.Myers, but they have a large, pretty campus. It is a highly respected school.

As far as preschool goes, there is a program for 4 year olds called VPK and the state pays for you to send them to the school of your choice. Here is the site: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten - Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida , the earlier you sign them up and then sign them up with your school the better, the schools fill up fast.

Hope the info helps!