Village School of Naples Unveils Expansion of Academic and Athletic Facilities

The Village School of Naples, an independent school serving students in Preschool through 12th grade, announced a $3.2-million renovation and expansion of its academic, arts and athletic facilities to accommodate current and future growth. It is anticipated each of the projects will be funded with donor naming opportunities available.

Included in the campus improvements are a near doubling of space in the current two-story Upper School Building along with an expansion of the Drama Studio. Also included in the latest phase is the addition of an all-new Track and Field stadium along with other related athletic facilities. Construction could begin on the projects as early as this spring.

“The Village School is well-positioned for strategic growth and long-term sustainability,” said Dennis Chapman, Head of School for The Village School. “This latest phase of work will enhance the student experience and help us achieve our vision of being the preferred educational choice for a diverse range of students and families in our community.”

The expansion of The Village School’s Upper School will be accomplished by converting existing church offices into additional classroom space and offices for administration, counseling and college admissions. In addition, an existing lunchroom will be converted into a culinary arts test kitchen to accommodate the school’s Culinary Arts Program.

Also within the Upper School Building is the planned Lauren S. Tayon Drama Studio which would be completed thanks to a generous donation by the Tayon family of Naples. The Drama Studio will include a large main stage area along with rehearsal space, music rooms, storage, and dining/theater seating for future plays and other performances.

The Upper School expansion will begin in March with much of the construction taking place over the summer, thanks to a generous contribution from The Village School family Douglas and Jeanne Kopp. The newly expanded Upper School is anticipated to open just in time for the 2021-22 school year.

On the athletic side, plans are in the works for a $2.2 million Track and Field facilities that would include a new lighted 400-meter, synthetic track with spectator stands and an interior competition field for other sports such as soccer, lacrosse and football. It is hoped the Track and Field facilities will be completed by late fall, pending county permitting.

Future phases of outdoor athletic facilities could include six lighted tennis courts immediately adjacent to the new track along with accessory fields that could be used for such sports as javelin, discus and shot-put. There also could be additional practice fields.

“More than 60 percent of our students participate on an athletic team and more than 100 of them participate each athletic season,” said Cassie Barone, Athletic Director for The Village School. “So, it is important we continue to invest in top notch athletic facilities.”

Located at 6000 Goodlette-Frank Rd., The Village School of Naples originally began as The Caring Place Preschool in 1985 as an outreach at North Naples United Methodist Church. In 2000, the church relocated to the present campus location and added The Village School, beginning with K-2 and 37 students. In 2006, the school was accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Florida Kindergarten Council.

In 2009, parents asked The Village School for a middle school to be added and soon after added the middle school one grade a year to complete the eighth grade. Four years later, the Board of Directors voted to add an upper school division in the fall of 2017. A capital campaign followed, and the new division opened in August 2017 with 17 students.

In June 2020, The Village School celebrated its first-ever graduating class of seniors with a class of 12 students. For additional information, visit www.villageschoolnaples.org.