Ave Maria Elementary officially opens as Collier County's newest elementary school

Collier County Public Schools officially welcomed its newest campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ave Maria Elementary School. The new school, located at 4050 Anthem Parkway N., becomes the district's 33rd elementary school and will open for the 2026-27 school year, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. District leaders, school staff, and guests gathered for the ceremony, which marked the official opening of the campus and welcomed the Cardinals as the school's first students. The event included remarks from district and school leaders, as well as students preparing to begin the inaugural school year. Designed to accommodate up to 931 students, Ave Maria Elementary is expected to enroll about 400 students during its first year. The campus was built with future growth in mind as the Ave Maria community continues to expand. The school features modern classrooms with abundant natural light, flexible learning spaces designed to encourage collaboration, and "The Nest," a multipurpose area for students and staff. The campus also includes multiple layers of security, energy-efficient building systems, and infrastructure that allows for future expansion. Recognizing the unique transportation needs of the community, the campus includes dual golf cart access points, along with covered car rider and bus drop-off areas. School officials say the combination of innovative learning spaces, enhanced safety features, and room to grow will help serve families in Ave Maria for years to come. Students will begin classes at the new campus when the 2026-27 school year gets underway. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.