For the first time, the School District of Lee County will hold a High School Student Enrollment Showcase for eighth grade students later this month.

“We want our incoming high school students to choose a school that meets their interests, but recognize not every family has the ability to attend each school’s open house,” Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said in a prepared statement. “By holding a showcase, with every school available on the same day, we are making it easier on our families to compare the high schools in their zone. All of our high schools have done a great job creating unique opportunities, so that every student can find their place.”

In addition to all 15 traditional high schools, Lee Virtual School will also be among the schools present. Those rising eighth grade students have from Jan. 17 through March 3 to submit their choices for the high school assignment lottery. In addition, applications for IB, Cambridge, arts, FGCU and STEAM advanced programs are due by Jan. 27.

The showcase will be held at the Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.

Those who attend the showcase are asked to enter through the main entrance across from Colonial Boulevard and McDonalds. They will be given a map to show where to go.

The schedule is broken down into zones:

East Zone from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

• Dunbar High School

• East Lee County High School

• Gateway High School

• Island Coast High School

• Lehigh Senior High School

• Riverdale High School

South Zone from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

• Bonita Springs High School

• Cypress Lake High School

• Dunbar High School

• Estero High School

• Fort Myers High School

• South Fort Myers High School

West Zone from noon to 1:30 p.m.

• Cape Coral High School

• Ida S. Baker High School

• Island Coast High School

• Mariner High School

• North Fort Myers High School

School Development Executive Director Clayton Simmons said although they will still have the regular Choice open houses, this event will provide parents with the opportunity to see all of the schools at the same time and obtain information about the schools. He said it also allows the parents and students to see what career and technical programs the schools offer.

The showcase will feature a counselor table, student enrollment information, exceptional student education and athletics. In addition, the schools will focus on their clubs, activities, special academic programs, academies and general student information.

“A lot of times freshmen may not be thinking about career and technical academies,” Simmons said, adding that it might spark an interest and help in selecting a school. “All of the high schools, no matter where you go, have an advanced curriculum – IB, AICE, or Cambridge program. There may be other factors that weigh into what parents may want. It’s time for them to walk around and see what’s there.”

Open Enrollment for middle and high school students begins Jan. 17

The School District of Lee County Open Enrollment process is moving entirely online for the 2023-2024 school year.

To rank schools for the student assignment lottery, families must use their FOCUS Parent Portal account. Students who wish to change schools for the 2023-2024 school year must also use their FOCUS Parent Portal to rank their choices for the lottery. The online application process makes it unnecessary for families of students enrolled in a District school to stand in long lines outside the Student Enrollment Office.

The Open Enrollment period for rising fifth and eighth graders is from Jan. 17 to March 3.

Open Enrollment for elementary school is being delayed until a new proximity plan is implemented that will shrink school zones to create neighborhood schools. Elementary school parents can view the proposal presented to the Lee County School Board on Jan. 5 here.

Parents without a FOCUS account can create one here.

Student assignment uses a lottery system, so a family who registers the first day of Open Enrollment has the same chance of getting a school as that of a family who registers the last day.

Rising high school students interested in the IB, Cambridge, Arts, FGCU and STEAM Advanced Programs must submit their Advanced Program application directly to the school of their choice by Jan. 27. A Choice Application Submission Receipt obtained through the FOCUS Parent Portal showing the desired school ranked first is required to be included with the Advanced Program application.

Any student that is new to the district or transferring into the district from a charter school next year must still come to the Student Enrollment Office at 2855 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers to register and fill out the application. More information about Open Enrollment is available on the School District website.