Education in Naples, FL

Naples, Florida is not just another pretty beach resort community.  Behind those white sandy beaches, balmy weather, waving palm trees, and gorgeous homes, is a great education system. When our little family arrived in 1994, there were only a handful of schools because at that time the area was considered more of a vacation/second home community.  Today our population has many more full time residents with children as well as adults looking for a degree or to sharpen their skills in a pleasant environment.

The education system consists of a total student population of 43,703 students; 29 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, 8 high schools, 10 private schools and 12 alternative programs.  There are schools for all ages and all kinds of degree programs –  from Little Ducks Day School to Florida Gulf Coast University Continuing Education.  Ave Maria’s Law Campus is actually located in the Vineyards Country Club Community and Florida Gulf Coast University located in Estero, a coastal town next to Naples.

The Collier County School district and all of the schools in the system are accredited by AdvancED, the parent organization for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).  This district is actually the number one employer in Naples, employing 3,100 highly qualified teachers, 49% with advanced degrees.

There are many opportunities for students in high school to advance by taking dual enrollment college courses, and seven high schools are offering the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) for this school year.  The most capable students also have the opportunity to pursue an Advanced Placement Laureate diploma, the most demanding Collier County Public School’s diploma available.  The Laureate Program had 60 graduates from high school this past year; compared with three at one school when the program began 18 years ago.

Not only does the education system allow for students to advance academically but they are also sharpening their technology skills. Collier County district is a recognized leader in Florida when it comes to technology; over 28,000 networked computers are in use district wide, with nearly 22,000 accessible to students- giving the district a 2 to 1 ratio (in what?).

Naples offers exceptional academic programs for students of all ages.  With safe locations, prepared teachers and up to date technology- this learning environment is setting scholars up for nothing but success. As time goes on, the system keeps improving and fulfilling their mission: By providing exceptional educational opportunities that motivate and engage each student, all students will complete school prepared for ongoing learning as well as community and global responsibilities.

This blog is part of an ongoing series “All about Naples”.

Sources:

www.collierschools.com/

Wikipedia-Naples,FL