Living in Ave Maria offers the best of both worlds – the convenience of big-town amenities with the charm and connection of a small town. With access to excellent schools, amenities, a vibrant social calendar, and commercial and recreational spaces, Ave Maria is where big-town convenience meets small-town connection.
The top-tier private educational options in town range from pre-kindergarten to college, including The Palm Preschool, Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, strong homeschooling communities, Ave Maria University, and the Freedom Institute high school opening in August. New for this school year, the A-rated Collier County School District (CCPS) is opening Ave Maria Elementary School, which will serve up to 900 students and help meet the needs of Ave Maria’s growing population.
Located at 4050 Anthem Parkway North, the school will serve students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Operated by CCPS, Ave Maria Elementary is thoughtfully designed to provide a modern, collaborative, and close-knit environment where kids can foster strong relationships with their fellow students and teachers.
Leading this exciting new chapter are Principal Beverly Budzynski and Assistant Principal Matthew Sibert, two dedicated educators who bring decades of experience and a shared passion for student success to Collier County’s newest public school.
Budzynski began her career in Illinois, working as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal over a 22-year span. In 2008, she brought her expertise to Southwest Florida, serving as principal at Naples Park Elementary for three years and at Sea Gate Elementary for eight. Under her leadership, Sea Gate earned the National Blue Ribbon as one of the country’s highest-achieving schools. And when Village Oaks Elementary in Immokalee faced state oversight for low grades, Budzynski stepped in decisively, recruiting new staff and raising the school’s performance to an A rating. In 2019, she was honored as the CCPS Principal of the Year.
“What inspired me to pursue education and eventually become a principal was just being around kids and the love of learning, love of reading, and love of people,” Budzynski says. “It’s a wonderful occupation. We get to watch kids thrive, and in the leadership role, you get to watch staff and adults thrive and grow, too.”
With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in educational counseling, and a certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership, Budzynski brings both academic expertise and a nurturing approach to her new role. She is known as a “servant leader” who listens, collaborates, and empowers teachers, staff members, and students. “I’m not a leader who dictates,” she explains. “We work together. I ask my staff what they need, and I support them. By giving ownership to staff — much like we do with students — we create a culture where everyone feels invested in success.”
Budzynski has lived in Ave Maria’s Maple Ridge since 2021 and is currently building a new home at Del Webb Naples in Ave Maria. “When I first drove through, I fell in love with the community,” she recalls. “I liked the idea of a small town and being able to drive a golf cart to places. You just get a good feeling walking outdoors, meeting people on the paths, seeing neighbors at Publix. Everyone is connected here, and I have already felt a wellspring of support for the school from people around the community.”
Budzynski brings more than 40 years of experience in education and a connection to the community she will now serve. After retiring from public education, she thought her days as a principal were behind her. That changed when construction of the new school began.
“I missed being a principal, missed the school system, missed the day-to-day of it,” says Budzynski. “The building was being started, and living in the community I would walk by thinking, maybe I should do it.”
After ultimately deciding to apply for the position of principal, Budzynski was selected to lead Ave Maria’s first public school. Her vision for this school centers on creating a welcoming environment where students, families, and educators feel connected both inside and outside the classroom.
That sense of community is one of the qualities Budzynski believes will make the school unique. Many staff members live in Ave Maria, and several will have children attending the school, which strengthens the staff members’ connection to the school and reinforces a shared investment in its growth and excellence. Students may see their teachers at community events, around town, or even at the local Publix, which contributes to the small-town atmosphere that Ave Maria is built upon.
The school will place a strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and leadership. Budzynski hopes students will take pride in helping shape the school’s culture and traditions from day one.
“They’re setting the stage,” says Budzynski. “It’s their school. It’s the kids’ and the community’s school.”
The school’s connection to the community extends beyond its campus. Budzynski hopes residents, businesses, and organizations will play an active role in supporting students and celebrating their success. One initiative she is already exploring would allow community members to nominate students who demonstrate positive character traits outside of school. Budzynski and Sibert also plan to launch a parent-teacher organization and a school advisory council early in the year to ensure that families and residents play an active role in shaping the school’s culture and activities. They welcome the support of community members — even those without children in the school — through volunteering, attending events, or helping with fundraisers and special projects.
Budzynski and Sibert are also enthusiastic about bringing the school’s arts, music, and character-building programs into the broader community. They hope to create reciprocal relationships in which students give back through performances, service projects, and modeling positive behavior, while neighbors support special programs and activities. They are eager to instill lessons in responsibility, kindness, and respect that extend beyond the classroom and into the community.
Ave Maria Elementary opens with pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, hosting three to four classrooms per grade level, with 75 carefully selected employees, including 50 teachers. There is also an after-school program that runs through 6:30 p.m. to help working parents. A Youth Relations Deputy from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office is on site during school hours.
“We’ve been really fortunate in our hiring,” says Sibert, noting that he and Budzynski spent about six months interviewing candidates. “We’ve been able to put together a team that is passionate about student growth in academics, as citizens, and in learning good character traits. I see us being focused on getting better every single day. If you improve by one percent every single day, you start to see exponential growth.”
For prospective homebuyers considering Ave Maria, enrollment at Ave Maria Elementary School is available throughout the year. Families can complete the enrollment process online through Collier County Public Schools at collierschools.com/enroll, providing flexibility for those relocating on their own timeline.
As Ave Maria continues to grow, the addition of Ave Maria Elementary School reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to education. With experienced leadership, dedicated teachers, and strong community support, the town’s first public school is already an important part of the community. For more information visit aes.collierschools.com, call 239-377-9400, or contact Principal Budzynski at budzyb@collierschools.com. For general questions, email avemaria@CollierSchools.com or follow @AveMariaElementary.