The Collier County School District is rapidly expanding to keep up with the community's growth. New schools are popping up across the area, with Bear Creek Elementary School opening this year and Ave Maria Elementary School set to open next year.
At a recent school board meeting, the district provided an important update for students and parents of the upcoming Ave Maria Elementary School. In June, the school broke ground on more than 46 acres of land, featuring new designs and space for approximately 900 students.
"Just looking at the plans, the school looks amazing. I mean, it's so nice to have a fresh new facility for your children to go to," said Carolina Pereira, a mother of future Ave Maria Elementary students.
The Collier County School Board announced that a new principal will be selected in October, with the school scheduled to open in August of the following year. After months of deliberation, the school has also chosen its mascot.
"After over 700 inputs from our survey, we're excited to announce our mascot will be the Red Cardinals!" said a speaker at the meeting.
Progress is also being made at Bear Creek Elementary, which will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday and welcome new students next month.