Are you looking to purchase a lot in Lee County with the intention of building your dream home? Do you have young children or plan to start a family in the near future? If you check both boxes, then Lee County’s decision to switch to proximity-based school zones may influence where you plant your roots.
As of the 2023-2024 school year, Lee County rolled out new maps for its school zones and will require all elementary students to attend a school within the proximity zone of their residence. Within these zones, a lottery system will decide which school each child will attend. 
You can find out which schools are in each proximity zone with Lee County’s new interactive map.
A major reason for this change is the increasing population in Lee County, leading to busy roads and challenges getting children to school safely and on time. The shorter commutes are intended to solve the problem of tardiness and save the school district money, which they plan to funnel back into education.
Parents of rising elementary students who decide to waive district transportation have more options, but families who rely on the school bus to safely transport their children to school or are new to the area need to adhere to the Elementary Proximity Plan.
Our advice for those looking to build in the area; do research on the schools within the proximity zone where you’re looking to purchase a lot or home. Lee County has many excellent schools, so choose the zone that best fits your family’s needs! Schools in our area offer different school hours, academic programs and more.
Note that private schools are not required to participate in the Elementary Proximity Plan, so take that into consideration when you make your decision on where to build.
This change only affects elementary school students but be aware that middle and high schools are next on Lee County’s radar.
You can visit The School District of Lee County’s website for more information.