Collier County Public Schools Expands with New Ave Maria Elementary
- Chad Oliver
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) continues to meet the demands of our rapidly growing county with the groundbreaking of Ave Maria Elementary School. Located on a 46-acre site on Anthem Parkway in the town of Ave Maria, about five miles north of Oil Well Road, this new school will open in August 2026 as the district’s 33rd elementary school.
This expansion reflects CCPS’s commitment to providing top-tier education to all corners of Collier County. The district has earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education every year since 2017 and outperformed state averages in 20 of 21 assessed categories last school year.
“Ave Maria Elementary is more than just a new building,” said Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, Superintendent of CCPS, during the groundbreaking ceremony. She recognized Barron Collier Companies and CEO Blake Gable for their foresight in reserving the land nearly two decades ago. “That long-term vision — to reserve land for future schools — is a powerful example of partnership between education and development and the trust that Barron Collier Companies has in Collier County Public Schools,” she stated.
Following a community survey for mascot suggestions, the superintendent announced the school’s mascot will be the Cardinals — the Ave Maria Elementary Cardinals!
The new school will accommodate up to 931 students and will offer families the same outstanding teaching and learning opportunities that have made CCPS one of Florida’s highest-performing districts.
Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli with Blake Gable and others members of Barron Collier Companies at the groundbreaking.
Photo Credit Ave Maria Sun
Marc Rouleau, Chief Facilities Officer, noted that the school’s location is strategically chosen to balance community access with minimal traffic impact: “It’s not in the heart of Ave Maria, so it will have less of an impact on the community’s traffic. It’s close enough where it could be a walking school. Parents can bring their kids on golf carts, which I understand a lot of people use in this community.”
The district is proud to support families through flexible educational options like CCPS Parental Choice. Parents who work in Ave Maria — even if they live elsewhere in the county — may apply to have their children attend Ave Maria Elementary. For example, an employee working at Arthrex’s manufacturing facility in Ave Maria could apply through the Parental Choice priority window, which typically opens in January or February. It’s a practical, family-friendly benefit that strengthens ties between education and the local workforce.
Importantly, the district is building this school with fiscal responsibility, paying for the construction in full without taking on debt.
The groundbreaking in June drew strong community support with attendance by school board members, CCPS senior leadership, and many business and community leaders — all reflecting the collaborative spirit that drives Collier County Public Schools.
For more information and updates about Ave Maria Elementary, residents across the county can visit www.collierschools.com/avemaria. As Collier County grows, so does our commitment to quality education, and Ave Maria Elementary will be a shining example of that promise in action.
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