Freedom Institute is opening a new high school campus in Ave Maria this fall at 5078 Pope John Paul II Boulevard. The Freedom Institute Ave Maria High School plans to welcome an inaugural class of 50 students and will host a community ribbon-cutting Thursday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m.
The new Collier County campus will offer personalized academic support along with college, career and real-world learning opportunities. Families interested in the school also will be able to tour the campus during the ribbon-cutting event.
What will students find at the new Ave Maria high school?
The Freedom Institute Ave Maria High School will operate in a space of more than 10,000 square feet overlooking Ave Maria’s town center. Three Success Coaches are expected to support the school’s first group of 50 students.
According to the school, those coaches will help students with academic planning, mentoring, and college and career preparation. The program also includes opportunities designed to connect classroom learning with students’ plans after high school.
Planned offerings include:
- Personalized academic pathways
- College and career guidance
- Internships, apprenticeships and career exploration
- Civic leadership and character development
- Dual-enrollment opportunities, including possible college credits beginning in freshman year
Who will lead the Freedom Institute Ave Maria campus?
Principal Jill Striz will lead the new campus. Striz has worked in education for more than a decade and has served as a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal.
She began her career with Collier County Public Schools in 2015 and has lived in Ave Maria for more than 10 years. The release also notes that she was named a Teacher of Distinction and received a Golden Apple award in 2019.
Striz holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ave Maria University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida.
When can families tour the new campus?
Freedom Institute will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m. at 5078 Pope John Paul II Blvd. in Ave Maria. Prospective families and other community members are invited to attend and tour the campus.
The school has not announced a specific RSVP process in the press release. Families seeking additional information can visit Freedom Institute’s website or the fundraising page provided by the organization.
How is the Ave Maria expansion being funded?
The expansion follows an earlier announcement of a $1 million matching grant from The Dekko Foundation. Freedom Institute says community contributions toward the expansion are currently being matched dollar for dollar.
The school also plans to work with local businesses and community organizations to develop internship and mentorship opportunities for students in Ave Maria and the surrounding Collier County area.