Celebrating Excellence

Interconnected Support Powers Education

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Achieving Excellence

I can give you 3,139 reasons to care about our A-rated local school district. By the end of May, approximately 3,139 seniors will walk across the stage, cheered on by family and friends, and earn their high school diplomas from Collier County Public Schools (CCPS). Each one has an individual story and a promising future. Lely High School senior Shamara Bornelus has been accepted into Harvard, Yale, and Princeton—an Ivy League trifecta! Many of our graduates will go on to universities, two- or four-year colleges, and technical schools for career training, or will serve in the United States military. Increasingly, we see students making a positive impact on our community long before their school days are finished. I am reminded of Aubrey Rogers High School junior Darren Nieves, who formed a Meals of Hope Club and rallied his classmates to pack thousands of meals during days off from school. This year, they have packed more than 650,000 meals! A vibrant school campus provides a powerful connector for collaboration, allowing big ideas to flourish.

The application of learning is especially evident in academic competitions—such as Scholar Bowl, Debate, and STEAM competitions—across all levels, which help develop students’ critical thinking and communication skills. The Collier County Regional Science Fair propelled twelve bright young scientists to Florida’s State Science and Engineering Fair. Eleven of those students won awards or placed, which sets them up for scholarship opportunities and real-world application of their research.

In the arts and athletics, our students shine both across the district and on a state-wide level. Thirty-four CCPS student musicians earned All-State honors and performed in world-class ensembles with internationally renowned conductors. The Barron Collier High Boys Soccer team made us all proud by winning the Class 4A State Title—

Congratulations, Cougars!

Our school district provides a wide range of support and inclusion activities for students with disabilities. This year, Immokalee High School’s Unified Flag Football and Unified Basketball teams made history by securing three state titles. The flag football team earned top honors from the Florida High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics, while the basketball team clinched the Unified Basketball State Championship. The teams are made up of both Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners without intellectual disabilities. These victories highlight the determination of the students involved and emphasize the power of support within our school communities.

Shared Responsibility in Public Education

While Collier County students excel academically and consistently outperform their peers statewide, they need your support. Assessments occur throughout the year to monitor student progress and guide teaching and learning. These assessments are especially important at the end of the school year and factor into the Florida Department of Education’s determination of overall school and district grades. While an end-of-year test may seem like a small moment in the life of a child, the results will greatly shape the way people perceive the schools they attend. When you see students or teachers, encourage them to “finish strong!” Let them know the importance of education and that you believe in them. Belief is a powerful motivator. An interconnected approach is vital to preparing children for a rapidly changing world because education extends far beyond classroom walls. Schools build upon foundations that start at home, with families instilling values, sparking a love of learning, and modeling positive behavior. Private industry, nonprofits, government agencies, and post-secondary institutions all have the potential to shape a child’s path through life.

A Bright Future Ahead

As seniors cross the stage to receive their diplomas, they will join the ranks of the next generation of leaders, innovators, and citizens who will shape our future. I am confident that Collier County’s investment in education will pay dividends for years to come, and our community will continue to support an interconnected approach to education. Our future depends on it.