If schools are part of your move to South Naples, here is a straight, independent look at the public schools that serve Lely Resort, how they are rated, the private and charter options nearby — and the one thing you must confirm before you write an offer. From a local Naples agent, not the developer.
Before any single school, the headline is the district itself.
Lely Resort is served by Collier County Public Schools (CCPS), which earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024–25 school year and again for 2025–26. CCPS ranks among the top districts in Florida — roughly 5th of the state’s 67 districts — and is the only district in Southwest Florida to hold an A. Across its traditional public schools, the large majority (about 98%) are graded A or B, and none carry a D or F.
That district-level track record is a genuine part of the Naples story, and it is one reason South Naples communities like Lely Resort see year-round ownership and not only seasonal ownership. District grades are reissued every year, so treat these as the most recent picture and confirm the current grade before you rely on it.
The public schools most commonly associated with Lely Resort (ZIP 34113) run a clean K–12 path, and the high school is unusually convenient — it sits inside Lely Resort itself:
| Level | School | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary (PreK–5) | Lely Elementary | 8125 Lely Cultural Pkwy, Naples 34113 |
| Middle (6–8) | Manatee Middle | Primary feeder; parts of the area feed East Naples Middle |
| High (9–12) | Lely High School | Located within Lely Resort; also serves Naples Manor, Marco Island & more |
Read this twice: those are the schools usually associated with this area — but attendance zones are set by the district and they change more often than people expect. A neighbor’s assignment from a few years ago is not a guarantee for the specific home you are considering. Never buy on a zoning assumption you have not confirmed in writing (more on how to do that below).
Ratings are one input, not the whole story — here is the recent picture, with sources named so you can check it yourself.
| School | Recent rating | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Lely Elementary | ~6/10 GreatSchools; in the A-rated district | Gifted & Talented and Cambridge International programs |
| Manatee Middle | Recently raised its grade to an A (FL DOE) | Gifted, Project Lead The Way & Cambridge curriculum |
| Lely High School | B on Niche; ~5/10 GreatSchools; ~#9 in Collier | ~92% graduation rate (above the FL average) |
Lely High School is worth an honest word. It earns a B on Niche and posts a graduation rate near 92% — above Florida’s statewide average — inside an A-rated district. At the same time, like many schools its state test proficiency has room to grow, so if academics are your first priority, pull the latest school-grade and proficiency data and weigh it against the choice, magnet and private options below.
Grades and ratings above reflect the 2024–25 / 2025–26 school year, come from third parties (Florida DOE, GreatSchools, Niche), and change annually. Verify current figures directly before making a decision.
This is the one area where I have to be direct: do not buy a home based on a school assignment you have not confirmed for that exact address.
In Collier County, attendance boundaries are set by the district and revisited over time as enrollment shifts and new schools open. That means two homes a few streets apart — even within the same community — can occasionally land in different zones, and last year’s assignment is not a promise for this year.
If schools are central to your decision, tell me early. I will help you confirm the current zoning for any home you are serious about before you write an offer — it takes minutes and it removes the single most common surprise in a family relocation.
Independent and faith-based schools are a common alternative in Naples, and Lely Resort’s central South Naples location keeps many within a reasonable drive.
Community School of Naples (founded 1982, roughly 950 students) and Seacrest Country Day School on Davis Boulevard are two of the area’s established college-prep independents.
Options include First Baptist Academy, Royal Palm Academy, St. Ann Catholic School and other parochial schools, plus charter choices in the area such as Marco Island Charter Middle.
Average Naples private-school tuition runs roughly $13,000 a year, but tuition, admissions timelines and openings vary widely by school and grade. Confirm current details directly with each school — this is a starting list, not an endorsement.
One point that surprises some buyers: Lely Resort is an all-ages community — it is not a 55+ or age-restricted development, and the governing documents carry no age restriction and no HOPA (Housing for Older Persons Act) designation. The resort-style amenities at the Players Club & Spa (lagoon and lap pools, tennis, a fitness center) carry no age restriction either. Verify the current rules for any specific enclave with its association.
Which enclave fits you often comes down to home type. If you want a single-family home with a yard, sections like the estate and single-family neighborhoods are the natural place to look; if low-maintenance living is the priority, the villas and coach-home enclaves may suit better. Our neighborhoods overview breaks down all 40+ enclaves by home type, and the neighborhood comparison puts them side by side. For the wider location picture — drive times, beaches, healthcare and everyday errands — see living near Lely Resort.
Schools are exactly where an independent, on-the-ground agent earns their keep — confirming the current zoning for a specific address, flagging choice and magnet options, and making sure the home you love actually comes with the assignment you expect. I am Nicholas Nolan, a licensed Florida REALTOR (SL3504588), working as a transaction broker and not compensated by the developer, and Lely Resort Guides is an independent resource, not affiliated with Lely Resort, Stock Development or the community’s clubs and associations. When schools matter to your move, get in touch and we will verify the details together.
The public schools most commonly associated with Lely Resort (Naples, ZIP 34113) are Lely Elementary, Manatee Middle School and Lely High School, all within Collier County Public Schools. Lely High School is located inside Lely Resort itself. Parts of the area also feed East Naples Middle. Attendance zones are set by the district and change, so always confirm the current assignment for the specific address with Collier County Public Schools before relying on it.
Collier County Public Schools is an A-rated district (Florida Department of Education) and one of the highest-ranked districts in the state. Locally, Lely Elementary carries a GreatSchools rating around 6 out of 10 and offers Gifted and Cambridge programs; Manatee Middle recently earned an A grade; and Lely High School holds a B on Niche with a graduation rate around 92%, above the Florida average, though its state test proficiency has room to grow. Grades change yearly, so review the current numbers.
Use the school locator at collierschools.com or contact Collier County Public Schools directly with the exact street address. Do not rely on a neighbor’s assignment or an older listing — boundaries change, and the only assignment that matters is the current one for that specific home. If schools are central to your decision, tell your agent early so it can be verified before you write an offer.
Yes. Naples has a broad set of private options, including Community School of Naples (PK-12) and Seacrest Country Day School (PK-12), along with faith-based schools such as First Baptist Academy, Royal Palm Academy and St. Ann Catholic School, and charter options in the area. Average Naples private-school tuition is roughly $13,000 a year, but tuition, admissions and availability vary widely — confirm current details with each school.
Lely Resort is an all-ages community — it is not a 55+ or age-restricted development, and it carries no HOPA (Housing for Older Persons Act) designation. The resort-style amenities (pools, tennis, fitness) carry no age restriction either. Verify current rules with the association. Which enclave fits depends on whether you want a single-family home, a villa or a condo.
Collier County Public Schools earned an A rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, ranks among the top districts in Florida, and is the only district in Southwest Florida with an A. The large majority of its traditional schools are graded A or B. District grades are reissued annually, so confirm the latest before relying on it.
Tell me the address or the enclave you are considering and I’ll help you confirm the current school zoning, flag choice and magnet options, and line it up before you write an offer — no pressure.
Brokerage. Nicholas Nolan (Florida Real Estate License SL3504588) is a licensed real estate sales associate of Realty ONE Group MVP, 1495 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL 34109. The Nicholas Nolan Team operates under the supervision of Realty ONE Group MVP.
Equal Housing Opportunity. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and equal opportunity housing standards. School information is provided for general reference only and is not a representation about any protected class or neighborhood composition.
School data. School assignments, grades and ratings are compiled from public and third-party sources (including the Florida Department of Education, Collier County Public Schools, GreatSchools and Niche), may contain errors, and change without notice. Attendance zoning must be verified for the specific address with Collier County Public Schools before relying on it.
Independent resource. Lely Resort Guides is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Lely Resort, Stock Development, the Lely Resort Master Property Owners Association, the Community Association of Lely, the Players Club & Spa, The Classics Country Club, The Club at Lely Resort, or any Lely Resort neighborhood association. “Lely Resort” and related names are trademarks of their respective owners.