A Season of Change

A Tradition of Trust

Leadership Conference for School Administrators

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November marks a season of change—cooler air moving south, shifting routines, and the familiar arrival of seasonal residents. In Florida, one of the most significant changes in education is the expansion of school choice. The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program was initially established to provide educational options to children of Florida families with limited financial resources. As of two years ago, financial eligibility restrictions were removed. Families in our state now have more educational options than ever, and with that comes a renewed responsibility for public schools to earn trust, not to assume it.

Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) embraces this new reality. Our superintendent has made it clear: we welcome options for families and remain committed to being the best choice. That commitment is backed by results—and by a universal accountability model used by the Florida Department of Education to evaluate all public schools and districts.

Grounded in state law, Florida’s accountability model applies the same standards across the state—from small rural districts to large urban ones. Each district is graded as if all its students attend one large combination school. This approach ensures consistency and fairness in how performance is measured, allowing families to make informed decisions based on comparable data.

In this season of change, CCPS’s A-rating is more than a score—it’s a reflection of sustained student success, strategic leadership, and a relentless focus on improvement. Fifty of our 51 traditional schools earned an A or B. That’s not marketing—it’s merit. It’s the hard-earned outcome of staff and families working together—an embodiment of “The Power of WE,” the guiding theme our superintendent has set for this school year.

The A-rating is not a participation trophy. It is earned through rigorous standards that assess student achievement, learning gains, graduation rates, and college and career readiness. It reflects the work happening in classrooms every day—where teachers challenge students, support staff remove barriers, and administrators lead with purpose.

In Collier County, we don’t just talk about excellence. It is reflected in the endless opportunities available to students through rigorous courses, academic competitions, athletics, the arts, school clubs, and community partnerships. Our neighborhood public schools are not only earning high marks from the state, but they are also deeply connected to the unique needs of the local families we serve. CCPS prioritizes safety, student conduct, and the culture of each campus. We invest in professional learning for teachers, new technology, and maintaining 60 school and support sites. And we listen—to parents, students, and stakeholders—because trust is built through transparency and responsiveness.

As Florida’s educational landscape continues to evolve, CCPS remains committed to leading with excellence. We understand that families are exploring options, and we welcome that exploration. We are confident that when families look closely, they will see that CCPS is not just an option, it is the proven choice. Our community members can take pride in knowing that the school district in which they reside is graduating students who are prepared to thrive, whether they are attending the nation’s most prestigious institutions of higher education, serving in the military, or entering the workforce with the training and skills to succeed.

Change may be inevitable, but trust is intentional. In this season of change, CCPS continues to evolve, innovate, and lead—not just to keep pace with choice, but to set the standard. Since 1923, our tradition of trust has been built on results, relationships, and a shared belief in the power of public education.