The Best Private Schools in Everglades City, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Everglades City. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Community School of Naples
Independent
Community School of Naples is a highly regarded independent college preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Located approximately 35 miles from Everglades City, CSN offers a rigorous academic curriculum with small class sizes and personalized attention. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. With a strong emphasis on character development and community service, CSN consistently produces graduates who attend top-tier universities. The school's extensive extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, and numerous clubs and organizations.
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Seacrest Country Day School
Independent
Seacrest Country Day School is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School serving students from age 12 months through grade 12. Located about 30 miles from Everglades City, Seacrest offers a challenging academic program that emphasizes critical thinking and global perspectives. The campus features modern classrooms, science and innovation labs, art studios, and athletic facilities. The school's experiential learning approach includes outdoor education, community partnerships, and international travel opportunities. Seacrest maintains a strong reputation for academic excellence with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1 and comprehensive college counseling program.
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The Marco Island Academy
Charter School Organization
Marco Island Academy is a public charter high school located approximately 20 miles from Everglades City, serving students in grades 9-12. While technically a charter school, it operates with many private school characteristics including selective enrollment and specialized programs. The academy offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with unique opportunities in marine science and environmental studies, leveraging its proximity to the Everglades and coastal ecosystems. Students benefit from dual enrollment options with local colleges, advanced placement courses, and career-technical education pathways. The school emphasizes small class sizes, personalized learning, and strong community partnerships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Everglades City, Florida
Are there any private schools physically located within Everglades City, Florida, or will we need to commute to neighboring areas?
There are no private K-12 schools physically located within the small municipality of Everglades City itself. Families seeking private education typically commute to schools in the broader Collier County region. The closest options include The Marco Island Academy on Marco Island (approximately 30 minutes away) and, for a wider selection, schools in Naples such as Community School of Naples and Seacrest Country Day School (approximately 45-60 minutes away). This commute is a significant factor for Everglades City families, making carpool organization and school transportation policies key considerations.
How does the unique environment of Everglades City, FL, influence the academic or extracurricular programs at nearby private schools?
Several top private schools in the region leverage Southwest Florida's unique coastal and Everglades ecosystem into their curricula. For instance, schools like Seacrest Country Day School and Community School of Naples often feature robust marine biology, environmental science, and sustainability programs. Field trips to the Everglades National Park, Rookery Bay, or local estuaries are common, providing hands-on, place-based learning that connects directly to a student's home environment. This integration of local ecology is a distinctive advantage of schools in this region.
What is the typical tuition range for private schools accessible from Everglades City, and are there Florida-specific financial aid options?
Tuition for the premier private day schools in Naples and Marco Island typically ranges from approximately $25,000 to over $35,000 per year for middle and upper school. In addition to need-based financial aid offered directly by schools, Florida residents have access to state-sponsored programs that can significantly offset costs. The most notable is the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship programs, which provide state-funded scholarships to eligible students attending private schools. Eligibility often depends on household income, and working with a school's financial aid office is crucial to navigate these options.
What are the enrollment timelines and key deadlines for private schools in the Naples/Marco Island area that serve Everglades City families?
The admission process for competitive private schools in this region operates on an early timeline. Key deadlines for applications and financial aid requests typically fall between December and February for enrollment the following August. Many schools host open houses in the fall. Given the limited seats and the fact that Everglades City families are part of a larger applicant pool from across Collier County, it is highly advisable to initiate inquiries and campus visits a full year to 18 months before the desired entry date, especially for entry points like Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades.
For an Everglades City family, what are the primary considerations when choosing between the local public school (Everglades City School K-12) and a private school requiring a commute?
This decision hinges on several location-specific factors. Everglades City School is a public K-12 school offering a very small, close-knit community with no commute. In contrast, private schools offer larger campuses, extensive extracurricular and athletic options, and often different educational philosophies (e.g., college-prep, project-based learning). The daily commute of 1-2+ hours round trip to a Naples private school is a major commitment, impacting family schedules and student energy. Parents must weigh the desire for specialized academic programs and facilities against the value of community proximity and the significant time investment in transportation.
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