School’s out: ’23-’24 school year wraps up today
More than 100,000 students will kick off their summer break when the final bell for the 2023-2024 school year rings today.
School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said the official enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year, including charter schools, was 102,791 students. Not including the charter schools, the district’s enrollment was 89,337 students.
This school year was the first for the district to exceed 100,000 students enrolled. From the graduation class of 2023 in May, to August the district saw a growth of 3,300 students.
“We continue to see new students enrolling in the district. We anticipate larger growth next year as well. Maybe not as dramatic but higher enrollment for next school year,” he said.
Students this year showed a lot of encouraging signs for academics, as well as graduation numbers increasing and schools receiving an A grade.
These are all positive signs, but does not say challenges do not exist, Spicker said: They always have a ways to go.
For instance, the district wants to see 100 percent of their seniors graduate, as every student should have the ability to receive their diploma.
“While it was a good year, there is work under way to make sure next year is more successful,” Spicker said.
Another encouraging step forward this year was busing for middle school students. Spicker said it was the best year for them in a while with efficiencies.
With middle school proximity being implemented this coming school year, routes will be planned out this summer with greater efficiencies.
Parents will be updated in late July, early August.
With the zones being largen than those elementary school, middle school students were not as heavily affected by the new proximity plan as elementary students were.
There were also positive enhancements for school buildings this school year across the zones.
For starters, Amanecer Elementary School opened in the East Zone. Other schools for the East Zone are currently in the design phase with some beginning the construction phase during the 2024-2025 school year.
Riverdale High School is halfway through its renovation process with the new science building opening at the start of next school year and a gym being built during the year.
There were also great strides made at Franklin Park Elementary School, as students will move back to their campus soon with portables moved to Cypress Lake Middle School as a rebuild takes place.
The rebuild of Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School has begun to move forward as has a rebuild and remodel of Bonita Springs Elementary School.
As summer break officially begins on June 3, students have many opportunities to continue learning this summer with a vast array of programs offered through the School District of Lee County for elementary, middle, and high school.
Spicker said some programs have filled up with waiting lists, while others are open due to their virtual component.
“Elementary students will be bringing home books to read, science kits, and math kits,” Spicker said, adding that at the elementary school level it is very easy to keep their child engaged because of the materials sent home. “Whatever the parent can do to keep their child engaged over the summer will benefit them. We certainly encourage that. We don’t want to see the summer slide. We want them to come back rested and prepared for another school year ahead.”
For more information, visit www.leeschools.net.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com