Ave Maria Elementary School celebrates its inaugural first day of school

Ave Maria Elementary School, the first public elementary school in the Ave Maria community, officially opened today, welcoming students, parents, and staff to a new chapter in Collier County. Sabena Black, a parent, shared her enthusiasm for the convenience of the new school. "Being able to just take a three-minute commute to drop them off to school, head back home, and if there's ever any emergency, I can just run out really quick from remote work and pick him up if needed. I'm going to enjoy that," Black said. Students arrived with backpacks, smiles, and excitement, with some even traveling by golf cart. Third-grader Robby Farris said, "Oh, it's a Spider-Man backpack. I got it because I was watching Spider-Man: Brand New Day." Another third-grader, Sbain Black, said, "I have a lot of friends here, and I'm going to make new friends." The new school features 43 classrooms and can accommodate up to 900 students as the community continues to grow. To ensure safety, the Collier County School District and the sheriff's office have partnered to place an armed deputy at each school in the district, including Ave Maria. "Kids don't have to feel nervous. Parents don't have to feel afraid. Parents are giving us their most prized possessions, and we're going to make the most of it," said Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, superintendent of Collier County Public Schools. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk highlighted the importance of safety and building trust. "We want to build a strong, positive relationship with our kids, but mostly we want to be present and be able to take action. Should any event of a negative way happen in a school," Rambosk said. For students, the day marked more than just the start of a new school year; it was a fresh beginning. When asked what he was most excited about, Farris said, "The whole school." The school day at Ave Maria Elementary begins at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 2:55 p.m. As of right now, there are approximately 375 students enrolled. The school also offers a designated student drop-off and pick-up area for golf carts. 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