At a glance
Reported students
999
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
55.3
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Florida middle enrollment
74th percentile
Compared with 579 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
813
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School: 999 reported students.
State peer staffing position
33rd percentile
18.1:1 reported; state peer median 19.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 996
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55.57
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17.9:1
What the reported data says about Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Fort Myers. It is one of 119 current school records connected to Lee. NCES reports 999 students for 2024–25.
Among 579 middle schools in Florida with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 808 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 74th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.1:1, close to the Florida median of 19.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (40.3%) and Black (31%). English learners represent 11.5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 15.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
- 1How do the reported 18.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 55.3 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 11.5%
- Students with disabilities
- 15.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 46.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White20.7%
- Hispanic40.3%
- Black31%
- Asian4.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.1%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Lee
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Challenger Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
999 reported students
Lemuel Teal Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,008 reported students
Varsity Lakes Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,009 reported students
Caloosa Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,018 reported students
Trafalgar Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
962 reported students
Lexington Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,054 reported students
Public schools near Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Myers Middle School Middle · Lee | 06–08 | 687 | 3.3 mi |
| Oak Hammock Middle School Middle · Lee | 06–08 | 1,242 | 5.4 mi |
| Varsity Lakes Middle School Middle · Lee | 06–08 | 1,009 | 5.8 mi |
| Cypress Lake Middle School Middle · Lee | 06–08 | 768 | 6.5 mi |
| Harns Marsh Middle School Middle · Lee | 06–08 | 905 | 8.1 mi |
| Caloosa Middle School Middle · Lee | 06–08 | 1,018 | 8.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Lee.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School reported 999 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 74th percentile among 579 Florida middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 996 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 18.1:1, based on 999 students and 55.3 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Florida median for the same school level is 19.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Lee attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
46.2% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School in?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School is part of Lee, based in Fort Myers, FL, which operates 119 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Fort Myers Middle School (3.3 mi), Oak Hammock Middle School (5.4 mi), Varsity Lakes Middle School (5.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.