Autism Collier Charter School in Naples, which opened in Naples in 2025, gives children with autism a place to learn, build confidence, and be part of a school community. Parents say their children have found opportunities to communicate, develop their strengths, and take part in school experiences such as field trips, performances, dances, and extracurricular activities.
Some families have made major sacrifices to attend. Melissa Centra moved her family from Michigan so her son Kai could enroll. Jenny Wappes drives from Fort Myers so her son Luke can attend.
“I just knew it would be the right thing for us,” Centra said. After homeschooling Kai, she wanted him to have the chance to become part of a community.
What makes Autism Collier Charter School different for families?
Centra credits the staff with recognizing her son’s strengths while helping him in areas where he needs support.
“They are all so invested, so passionate, and are really finding and nurturing the skills that are unique to each child,” she said.
Kai loves writing stories, acting, and drawing. Centra said the school encouraged those interests and helped his confidence grow.
“He has had the opportunity to feel like a leader, and that was beautiful to see,” she said.
Principal Emily Kafle said creating that kind of environment is central to the mission of Autism Collier Charter School.
During the school’s first year, about half of its 80 students had never attended school before, Kafle said. The adjustment was difficult for some students at first, but staff began seeing changes within months.
“Then fast forward, right before Christmas, we began seeing the impact and seeing the rewards,” she said.
How does the school create a sense of community?
Families say the school experience extends beyond the classroom. Students have participated in many of the traditions and activities associated with school life.
- School dances and character parades
- Field trips
- Musicals and performances
- Recess and extracurricular activities
- A school yearbook
- Before- and after-school care
- Holiday break and summer programs
Students even sang the national anthem at a Florida Everblades hockey game.
“We had a lot of events that brought families in, so it was a real sense of community,” Kafle said.
Wappes sees the difference in Luke every morning. In pre-K, she said, he would drop to the floor rather than enter the building.
“Here he arrives so happy. He frolics into the building,” she said. “It is a special and unique place.”
For more inclusive programs, services, and organizations throughout the region, families can explore the Southwest Florida Special Needs Resource Guide.
Why does communication with parents matter?
For Katherine Villalona, whose son Anthony-Enrique is nonverbal, knowing what happens during the school day brings important peace of mind.
“It is different when your child is nonverbal and can’t even tell you about their day,” she said.
Anthony-Enrique comes home with a note describing his day from arrival through dismissal.
“I felt like I was with him at school,” Villalona said. “I am forever grateful for this school opening.”
Olivia Bennett also worried about moving her son Hamilton from a behavioral school. The transition turned out to be much easier than she expected.
“I was freaking out, and then we got there and he took to the school like a fish to water,” Bennett said. “I am so glad we made that change.”
She especially values seeing Hamilton participate in familiar school experiences.
“They have school dances, field trips, and recess, and they even have a yearbook,” Bennett said. “Everything you have at a regular school you have at this school.”
How did Autism Collier Charter School begin?
The school grew from Stephanie Johnsen’s search for better educational opportunities for her twin sons, Logan and Gavin.
After Logan suffered a life-threatening accident following a fall from a school window, Johnsen began imagining a different kind of educational setting for children with autism.
She researched schools elsewhere in Florida and found an autism charter school in Hialeah where she saw students thriving.
“I just didn’t think something like that could exist,” Johnsen said.
She joined Kafle, Jen Mitchell, and other community members to work toward creating a similar option in Naples.
For Johnsen’s family, one of the biggest changes has been communication. Logan began using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to express himself more clearly.
“We found meaningful communication,” Johnsen said.
Gavin also uses the device to communicate. Johnsen described those breakthroughs as life-changing.
“They have learned more than all of their other years combined,” she said.
What do families hope comes next?
Parents and school leaders hope Autism Collier Charter School can continue expanding so more children with autism in Southwest Florida can access its programs.
Johnsen also wants students to have meaningful opportunities as they approach adulthood.
“We don’t want them to graduate from high school and then graduate to the couch,” she said. “I want our school to be an example of how we prepare our students [to achieve long-term goals].”
For information about Autism Collier Charter School, visit autismcolliercharter.org.