Six potential names suggested by the public have been selected as finalists by an Ad Hoc Naming Committee for the School District’s new middle school in Lehigh Acres. The finalists in alphabetical order are:

• Arthur Middle School

• Central Lehigh Middle School

• Gerald Gould Middle School

• Lee Ratner Middle School

• Lemuel Teal Middle School

• Veterans Park Middle School

The new middle school is the original Lehigh Acres Middle School on Arthur Avenue. It is reopening in August with room for 900 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The campus went through an $18.6 million renovation last year to create new classrooms and upgrade the facilities.

A second survey for students, parents and community members to rank their favorite choice is now available. The survey is open until 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.

The Ad Hoc Naming Committee helping to select the school name recommends Arthur because of the school’s address on Arthur Avenue. Central Lehigh represents the school’s location in Lehigh Acres. Gerald Gould was the first president of the Lehigh Corporation, which developed Lehigh Acres. Lee Ratner owned the land that became Lehigh Acres and founded the Lehigh Corporation to develop it. Lemuel Teal was a middle school teacher in Lee County for 38 years, 30 of those at Fort Myers Middle Academy. Veterans Park is a finalist because the campus is next to Veterans Park Academy for the Arts and Veterans Park Recreation Center.

Once the second survey is complete, the same Ad Hoc Committee which reviewed the initial submissions will review the results and recommend a name to the School Board for approval.

Dr. Joseph Restino was appointed principal of Middle School QQ on Feb. 7. Dr. Restino is the School District’s 2022-2023 Assistant Principal of the Year. Middle school students can use the last remaining week of open enrollment to choose to attend the new school.

Source: School District of Lee County