Before my family moved to Naples, I researched nearly every school in the area. After a lot of…read morelooking, we picked a neighborhood that offered a combination of the best performing elementary and middle schools. For more than three years, it was a pretty good experience for our family, especially my daughters. We learned about an alternative option - a new charter school with a lottery-based system to get in. Growing up in Poland in the 80's and 90's, I knew nothing about charter schools. We applied anyway and my daughters were fortunate enough to be selected. We knew things would be different from the moment we toured the school. While the outstanding classical education and curriculum drew us in, Mason Classical Academy offered so much more. As a family, we never expected that Mason Classical Academy provides more than a wonderful classical education. They also work hard to help students overcome the flaws of our society today and avoid the mistakes that were made in raising the Millennial generation. What do I mean? Well, each morning students stand with their right hand on their heart to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the Constitution - and that's just the beginning of what's different. At Mason Classical Academy students understand that whoever does not know their history is doomed to repeat it. Most importantly, they understand that history did not begin with the Mayflower. Ask any 4th grader at this school, and they will tell you Marco Polo is not just a game you play in the swimming pool. And 6th graders don't confuse Julius Caesar with a pizza place. Children are taught and expected to respect their teachers, parents, and other authority figures. After all, it will be expected of them when they enter the workforce. Every student is taught to look at the world and their actions through a prism of the eight pillars of virtue: Responsibility, Respect, Perseverance, Integrity, Honesty, Courage, Citizenship and Cooperation. After all what good is knowledge without character? Here, there is no instant gratification and no trophies for participation. You don't become a "student of the week" just because it's your turn. Here you learn that the only road to achieving your goals and recognition is hard work, consistency, and patience. And when you are recognized for your achievements nobody questions why. Students are truly proud and become role models for their peers. Let me give you an example: The first year my daughter attended, we went to a ceremony celebrating students for their outstanding academic achievements in June. At that moment both of my daughters decided to do everything possible to be on that stage the following year. They set goals for themselves and made a plan. So far they are doing their best to get there. Why? Because in real-world average is never rewarded, excellence is! At this school, there is no race to read the most Sunshine State books the fastest. Instead, through discussions of classical literature, history, and debate, students learn to form their own opinions. They learn it is perfectly acceptable to have a different point of view and that having a different opinion from your best friend doesn't make you better or worse. Students learn to respect their friends even if they don't agree with their opinions. Considering what goes on in society today, don't you agree this is a real skill they need to have as adults? We never expected that everyone at Mason Classical Academy from the administrative staff to the teachers and leadership would truly pour their hearts and souls into something so much bigger than themselves. They are on a mission to not only provide outstanding education but also mold our children into responsible, intelligent citizens that Learn the Truth, Do the Good, and Love the Beautiful.

Administration is incredibly inexperienced with essentially the most inexperienced being appointed…read moreas principals!!!. This shouldn't happen in schools that want to be taken seriously. It's definitely "a club" where the few that are tight knit all somehow become administrators five minutes after becoming teachers. These inexperienced administrators are arrogant and use dodge and bully tactics to overcompensate and mask their inability to effectively lead. The school has incredibly high teacher turnover rate and many new teachers have ZERO experience and absolutely NO education credentials. Not sure how they get away with it but they do.

horrible service, front desk didn't pickup my calls when I asked about summer activities, my son…read moretells me everyday the school is disgusting. staff is rude towards me and my son, wouldn't recommend this school.

I normally do not leave negative reviews, but my experience with Gulf Coast Academy Kindergarten…read morewas extremely disappointing. The classroom lacked consistency all year long because the teacher was frequently absent for personal reasons, and there always seemed to be substitutes filling in. Communication was also difficult at times due to the teacher struggling with English. What upset me the most was my Granddaughter hearing the teacher openly tell the children that this was the "worst class" and that she hated being there. That is completely inappropriate behavior around young children and created a very negative environment. The graduation ceremony was equally disappointing. It became obvious the teacher barely knew the students or what was going on during the awards presentation. It was also sad to see some kindergarten students receive special awards while others were left out entirely. At that age, every child deserves to feel included and celebrated for their growth throughout the year. Overall, the experience felt disorganized, unprofessional, and not the positive kindergarten experience parents hope for their children.

Would not send my child here and would not work here! Be warned! 20+ teachers/staff were either let…read morego or quit at the end of this school year not to mention the 10 or so that left in the middle of the year. That should tell you a lot! Stay away!

One of the best features of St Elizabeth Seton is the contemplative nature of the interior of the…read morechurch. As you sit in the pew, you will see the large Divine Mercy print next to the altar--right next to the tabernacle, prominently placed at the center. Our Lady of Guadalupe is on the other side of the altar. It is calming. I noticed there were no paper hymnals in the back of the pews. Instead there was a QR code designed to connect each person to a worship document online. Also, the words to prayers and music are displayed discreetly on monitors. So, each person can follow in the way that is most comfortable. The Pastor, Father Casey, has a gentle-giant, wise brother, teddy bear quality. He seems approachable, yet is deeply aware of how important both tradition and scripture are. He is both old school and modern Catholic at the same time. He is able to connect the congregation to today's relevance of Bible text written centuries before. I felt at home during my first Mass here.

One of the newer high schools in Naples. You can see it from Interstate 75. Big, spacious campus…read morewith a football field and bleachers in the front. Last exit in Naples heading south is best way to travel. Located in the newer developments of Naples. One of the last hold outs, use to be nothing but fields here. Now it is close to shops, restaurants like Cracker Barrel, Chilis. Large enough to host events as the All Collier County Orchestra rehearsals and performances in their auditorium. Currently not especially highest rated in testing results but things change every year.

Not a bad school, has a lot of good teachers and caring people, food is alright but could be betterread more

BUYER BEWARE! I graduated from ILA and recently needed…read moretranscripts, but found out that all student records were never sent to the department of education. After many attempts to get in contact with Valaree, nothing has surfaced. Apparently, private schools have rules they should follow, but they are not regulated like public schools...leading me to find out my HS transcripts are lost in the ether.

This is an excellent elementary school all of the staff is very helpful. I pick up for after school…read moreat Team Third Law Brazilian jiu jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing in Naples. Every day I come the staff has all the children well organized and it is very easy to pick them up. One of the best schools in collier county.

Is it safe for your kids? For most part, yes. But there are incidents that happen, as would be…read moreexpected. How this is handled can be different to you, who is not involved in the system to a parent that is. So if you want to get a little more, get involved. The schools cater to below average to slightly above average. Below average get a lot of help, while very smart kids are left in the dark. Parents of exceptional students should be informed on courses that will stimulate, beyond what the school has to offer. In our case we were not. Nobody was. We had to figure advance course options like FLVS starting in elementary school, ourselves. There is nothing 'exceptional' about that CCPS. CCPS has a full time lawyer and because they create so many issues, just by being rude, they need it. The more issues that are created, the more job security the law department has, so they keep them busy with fresh issues all the time. Its not a satisfactory way to focus on education. And its gone on for decades. I could write a book about all thats CCPS has to offer. From the terrible parking for parents and students at Gulf Coast High School, to the bus drivers, some good, some bad. We could go onto the promoting of religion and religious locations being used for mandatory events by the schools. We could talk about the handing out of bibles on school campuses. We could talk about kids bringing weapons to school and the 'kick a Jew' day in one of the middle schools. Yes, we experience it all in little Naples.

Top in the state, this Southwest Florida county has students wanting to come here, and teachers…read morewanting to teach here. The county has many extra curricular activities, sports, fine arts where many counties have cut out. We have police assigned to each school, another luxury to other schools. Parental support makes this a success as well. Strong PTOs drive the spirit of unity and forward thinking arena.

Excellent daycare-school. My kids love it, the personnel is great and changed the life of my kids…read more Good Job, and continue doing an extraordinary service.

They restrained our child without parental consent multiple times and left scratches and bruises…read more Never once communicated with us, they were restraining our child. This even happens at naptime, when child refuses to nap. Would not recommend.