Community School of Naples
Encyclopedia
The Community School of Naples, an independent, PK-12 college preparatory day school, was launched in 1982 by a group of parents seeking to establish a private school close to home. Recruited by word-of-mouth, the original student body consisted of fewer than 50 students who began K-8th grade classes in a rented church space. In 1985, The Community School grew to more than 90 students. Twenty-eight acres of land on Pine Ridge Road was donated and $3 million was raised to construct the first five classroom buildings. Today, CSN has more than 700 students and a $40 million, 110-acre campus with 18 buildings. Our most recent improvements to the campus, include a state-of-the art Upper School building, a 55,000 square foot field house and new athletic fields.
Essential elements of the school’s educational program include a comprehensive curriculum focused on academic rigor; opportunities in athletics and the arts, both fine and performing; and character development. These elements ensure that each student experiences a challenging education only an independent, college preparatory school can provide. CSN is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. A 20-member Board of Trustees governs the school.
The Community School has educated more than 2500 students since its opening. Each member of our graduating classes has been accepted to college, with many attending our nation’s most selective and highly competitive schools.
The Community School of Naples is fundamentally committed to maintaining a coeducational student body that is representative of the Southwest Florida area. Consequently, the school is open to all qualified students regardless of race, color, creed or financial ability. Since 1985, The Community School has raised in excess of $20 million for its financial aid program, and approximately 25 percent of our students benefit from this assistance each year.
Keeping in mind the important benchmarks of childhood development, the learning environment combines enrichment and support. Differentiated instruction is at the core of CSN’s Lower School philosophy, and children are continually assessed to ensure their academic and social needs are being met. Assessment informs and ultimately drives the curriculum.
The combination of small class sizes with the careful merging of structure, responsibility, and freedom allow students to develop at their own rates. The Intermediate School faculty works as a team to meet the needs of students as individual learners and to stimulate a lifelong love of learning. The team meets regularly to discuss students’ needs, curriculum, and to plan upcoming events.
The curriculum is designed to help each child reach their potential, and community service opportunities promote a belief that each child can make a difference in the world. Students are encouraged to ask questions, formulate solutions and experiment with new ideas.
The curriculum includes the core subjects of language arts, math, science, history and world languages. Elective opportunities are available for all students in the areas of visual and performing arts. Computer class is a required subject and technology is integrated into all curricular areas. Field trips are an extension and enhancement of our curriculum, and provide opportunities for collaboration, team building and critical thinking skills.
The Middle School student is expected to take more responsibility for their learning, community involvement and leadership. Realizing that the partnership between home and school is vitally important, active communication through the Weekly Window, website homework posting, parent/student conferences and a strong advisory program are important components of the Middle School experience.
The Middle School also places importance on instilling ethical and moral responsibility in all students. The Character Education curriculum teaches the nine core values and students are recognized for exhibiting these in their everyday lives. In addition, all 8th grade students take the required Service and Leadership course that provides both skills and experiences in this important area.
Designed to challenge students to fulfill their academic and personal potential, the curriculum is rigorous, providing Advanced Placement, Honors and College Preparatory Courses in the verbal disciplines (English, history, and world languages) and the analytical/quantitative disciplines (mathematics, science and computer Science). Additional courses are offered in the aesthetic disciplines (fine and performing arts), and physical education (wellness, life management skills, and personal fitness).
The academic and college counseling program is both strategic and personal. Working closely with the Academic Dean and Heads of College Counseling, each student entering the Upper School develops an academic plan that is carefully designed to achieve long-term goals. Academic plans may vary according to the strengths and interests of individual students. On-going academic advising takes place at each grade level and throughout the school year. Our mutual goal is to craft an academic program that is both challenging and realistic so that every student has excellent college options, ideally suited to career goals and personal interests.
A member of CSN's Class of 2011 earned a perfect score on his SAT - 800 in reading, mathematics and writing! Only 20 students per million earn this distinction.
CSN’s 76 members of the Class of 2011 received acceptances from 108 selective colleges and universities and earned more than $2 million in scholarships.
CSN’s Upper School’s SAT scores for 2009-2010 were: reading 587, math 632, writing 600. By comparison, students in Collier County Public schools scored 492 in reading, 503 in math and 477 on writing.
More than 70% of seventh grade students taking the ERB Test qualify for the Duke University Talent Identification Program and are invited to take the SAT test.
For the past nine years, approximately 85% of our students’ scores in grades 2-8 were average to above average on the independent norms of the ERB CTP4 standardized test.
The Middle School MathCounts teams have placed 1st in our region for 23 of the past 24 years. CSN students earned the top 5 individual places, 6 of the top 10 and 7 of the top 15 in the 2011 regional competition.
CSN's Mock Trial teams finished 1st and 2nd in the 2011 District finals and 2nd in the 2011 State Competition. 2011 also marked the 10th Anniversary of the team's 1st place finish in the National Competition in St. Paul, Minnesota.
CSN’s Academic Team was named #1 in the state at the 2011 Knowledge Masters Open.
A CSN fifth-grader was awarded High Honors from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth in the International Mathematics and Verbal Talent Search. As a third-grader this same student finished "Top in the Country" on the University's SCAT Quantitative Test.
CSN is the only local school to partner with Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. As a Project School, CSN uses Teachers College acclaimed Writing Workshop framework in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and Columbia University’s staff developers work with CSN’s teachers to implement the latest literacy techniques.
CSN currently offers 26 AP courses and three post-AP courses.
CSN Performing Arts Chair and Upper School Drama teacher, Mark Danni, is one of five leaders in the Naples arts community to receive the prestigious 2011 Stars in the Arts Award from the United Arts Council of Collier County. The first teacher to receive this award, Danni is also the founding artistic director of TheatreZone, a professional Equity theater company that performs in CSN's G&L Theater.
Three CSN seniors received scholarships from the Naples Art Association
The CSN Jazz Band performed at the Naples Philharmonic with Ben Taylor, in a benefit concert in May, 2011.
Designed in 1997 by Architect Frank L. Neubek, a former CSN parent and Trustee, the LMA garnered an outstanding award from the American School & University Architectural Portfolio competition for a specialized facility in 1999. Featuring 31,000 square feet of space, the LMA encompasses a traditional two-level library , two computer labs, the 275-plus-seat G&L Theater, classrooms, a board room and the Pfeil Art Gallery. Thirty computers provide students with tools to accomplish their research and project goals. A knowledgeable staff is accessible to instruct and guide students of all ages.
On any given day, the LMA is a hub of activity, equally accessible from all points of campus and utilized by each and every student on a weekly, if not daily, basis. A lakeside setting adds the element of tranquility, befitting a library, while the outdoor lakeside plaza offers space for social gatherings with a view of nature.
Carrels located on the upper floor provide space for private study while the lower level accommodates younger students with diminutive tables and chairs. A vividly-decorated reading corner inspires more beginning readers with a story stage and table-top creative space.
CSN seniors finished 1st and 2nd in the State Cross Country Finals and ran in the National Cross-Country Championship in San Diego (2 of only 40 girls nationwide) The 2010-2011 Gatorade Florida Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year is a CSN senior. Two students received All-American Honors for track.
State Champions :Girls Varsity Basketball (2010-2011) (2nd time in 3 years!)
Sunshine Athletic Conference Champions - MS Girls Basketball (2010-2011)
Regional Champions: Girls Basketball, Girls Softball, Girls Golf, Boys Golf , Girls Cross Country (2010-2011)
District Champions: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Girls Golf, Boys Golf, Girls Swimming and Diving (2010-2011)
2010 marked the inaugural season of CSN Varsity Football
The CSN Programming Team One took first place in the 14th annual High School Programming Contest (November 2010), sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery.
CSN’s Upper School Academic Team finished 1st in the state in 2010.
The French Congrès Team finished 1st in the IA Division of schools for 2010-2011.
Two students were crowned State Champions at the 2010 Mu Alpha Theta State Convention, and seven more earned all-state designations (excellence in achievement) by placing in the top-20 in an event. Four of the seven earned multiple all-state designations.
A CSN junior placed 3rd in the Intermediate category at The 5th Chinese Bridge US High School Student Chinese Speech Contest in Marlborough Massachusetts. She and 23 other finalists represented 14 states.
After being named 4th in the National Semifinalist contest, a team of two Community School of Naples’ juniors were ranked 4th in the National Finals of the national civil engineering contest held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.The Community School team placed fourth from among more than 6,000 qualifying teams and 25,000 original designs.
Essential elements of the school’s educational program include a comprehensive curriculum focused on academic rigor; opportunities in athletics and the arts, both fine and performing; and character development. These elements ensure that each student experiences a challenging education only an independent, college preparatory school can provide. CSN is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. A 20-member Board of Trustees governs the school.
The Community School has educated more than 2500 students since its opening. Each member of our graduating classes has been accepted to college, with many attending our nation’s most selective and highly competitive schools.
The Community School of Naples is fundamentally committed to maintaining a coeducational student body that is representative of the Southwest Florida area. Consequently, the school is open to all qualified students regardless of race, color, creed or financial ability. Since 1985, The Community School has raised in excess of $20 million for its financial aid program, and approximately 25 percent of our students benefit from this assistance each year.
Campus
The 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) campus is located at the northwest corner of Pine Ridge Road and Livingston Road in Naples, FL. The four academic divisions are spread out and occupy separate buildings with few exceptions. In addition to the main classroom buildings for the lower, intermediate, middle, and upper school, the other notable buildings include the Morris Activity Center (Old Gym), the Field House (New Gym) and the Landi Media Arts Center (Library and Theater). The YMCA Norris Pool (Ran by the YMCA of Palms), while not owned by Community School, is located near the campus as well. The campus is divided by 4 sections; Lower School, Intermediate School, Middle School, and High School.Lower School
CSN’s Lower School students enjoy a program rich with daily opportunities to explore and learn. The curriculum includes visual and performing arts, physical education, technology and foreign language in addition to language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Core subjects integrate a balanced literacy program that includes a writer’s workshop methodology emphasizing the writing process. The reading program incorporates phonics and shared and guided reading practice with small group instruction, enabling children to move through reading levels at their own pace. The mathematics program uses a spiraled approach; skills taught are sequential and progressive, and students build on concepts previously taught.Keeping in mind the important benchmarks of childhood development, the learning environment combines enrichment and support. Differentiated instruction is at the core of CSN’s Lower School philosophy, and children are continually assessed to ensure their academic and social needs are being met. Assessment informs and ultimately drives the curriculum.
Intermediate School
CSN's Intermediate School is a unique division designed to help 4th and 5th graders make a smooth transition between Lower and Middle School. Intermediate School students attend 40-minute core classes in math, science, social studies and Spanish five days a week, including a double period of language arts. Each of these classes is taught by teachers specializing in that area. In addition to art, music, technology, and physical education, students may select band, orchestra, chorus, French, Chinese, or study hall as an elective.The combination of small class sizes with the careful merging of structure, responsibility, and freedom allow students to develop at their own rates. The Intermediate School faculty works as a team to meet the needs of students as individual learners and to stimulate a lifelong love of learning. The team meets regularly to discuss students’ needs, curriculum, and to plan upcoming events.
The curriculum is designed to help each child reach their potential, and community service opportunities promote a belief that each child can make a difference in the world. Students are encouraged to ask questions, formulate solutions and experiment with new ideas.
Middle School
CSN's Middle School is an academically challenging and developmentally appropriate experience for students in grades 6 – 8. The Middle School faculty is committed to excellence, and they have been selected for their experience, expertise and dedication to providing a student-centered learning environment. The vision for the Middle School program is to provide a broad range of opportunities to address the unique needs of the pre-adolescent/adolescent child. Our goal is to know each student personally; to know the "whole child" and to identify, nurture and develop their strengths by providing the 21st century skills for success in Upper School, college and life.The curriculum includes the core subjects of language arts, math, science, history and world languages. Elective opportunities are available for all students in the areas of visual and performing arts. Computer class is a required subject and technology is integrated into all curricular areas. Field trips are an extension and enhancement of our curriculum, and provide opportunities for collaboration, team building and critical thinking skills.
The Middle School student is expected to take more responsibility for their learning, community involvement and leadership. Realizing that the partnership between home and school is vitally important, active communication through the Weekly Window, website homework posting, parent/student conferences and a strong advisory program are important components of the Middle School experience.
The Middle School also places importance on instilling ethical and moral responsibility in all students. The Character Education curriculum teaches the nine core values and students are recognized for exhibiting these in their everyday lives. In addition, all 8th grade students take the required Service and Leadership course that provides both skills and experiences in this important area.
Upper School
CSN's Upper School curriculum prepares students to achieve their college goals and be successful at the most selective colleges and universities in the nation. In addition to the mastery of knowledge, the program cultivates a love of learning and character development. It also equips students with the learning skills needed for lifelong intellectual growth, achievement, and personal satisfaction.Designed to challenge students to fulfill their academic and personal potential, the curriculum is rigorous, providing Advanced Placement, Honors and College Preparatory Courses in the verbal disciplines (English, history, and world languages) and the analytical/quantitative disciplines (mathematics, science and computer Science). Additional courses are offered in the aesthetic disciplines (fine and performing arts), and physical education (wellness, life management skills, and personal fitness).
The academic and college counseling program is both strategic and personal. Working closely with the Academic Dean and Heads of College Counseling, each student entering the Upper School develops an academic plan that is carefully designed to achieve long-term goals. Academic plans may vary according to the strengths and interests of individual students. On-going academic advising takes place at each grade level and throughout the school year. Our mutual goal is to craft an academic program that is both challenging and realistic so that every student has excellent college options, ideally suited to career goals and personal interests.
Academics
Six of CSN's seniors were named National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists for 2012. Another 4 seniors were named Commended Students.A member of CSN's Class of 2011 earned a perfect score on his SAT - 800 in reading, mathematics and writing! Only 20 students per million earn this distinction.
CSN’s 76 members of the Class of 2011 received acceptances from 108 selective colleges and universities and earned more than $2 million in scholarships.
CSN’s Upper School’s SAT scores for 2009-2010 were: reading 587, math 632, writing 600. By comparison, students in Collier County Public schools scored 492 in reading, 503 in math and 477 on writing.
More than 70% of seventh grade students taking the ERB Test qualify for the Duke University Talent Identification Program and are invited to take the SAT test.
For the past nine years, approximately 85% of our students’ scores in grades 2-8 were average to above average on the independent norms of the ERB CTP4 standardized test.
The Middle School MathCounts teams have placed 1st in our region for 23 of the past 24 years. CSN students earned the top 5 individual places, 6 of the top 10 and 7 of the top 15 in the 2011 regional competition.
CSN's Mock Trial teams finished 1st and 2nd in the 2011 District finals and 2nd in the 2011 State Competition. 2011 also marked the 10th Anniversary of the team's 1st place finish in the National Competition in St. Paul, Minnesota.
CSN’s Academic Team was named #1 in the state at the 2011 Knowledge Masters Open.
A CSN fifth-grader was awarded High Honors from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth in the International Mathematics and Verbal Talent Search. As a third-grader this same student finished "Top in the Country" on the University's SCAT Quantitative Test.
CSN is the only local school to partner with Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. As a Project School, CSN uses Teachers College acclaimed Writing Workshop framework in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and Columbia University’s staff developers work with CSN’s teachers to implement the latest literacy techniques.
CSN currently offers 26 AP courses and three post-AP courses.
Arts
For the 7th year, CSN musicians have been selected to perform in the Middle and High School Honors Orchestras as part of the Florida Orchestra Association’s annual All State Orchestra program.CSN Performing Arts Chair and Upper School Drama teacher, Mark Danni, is one of five leaders in the Naples arts community to receive the prestigious 2011 Stars in the Arts Award from the United Arts Council of Collier County. The first teacher to receive this award, Danni is also the founding artistic director of TheatreZone, a professional Equity theater company that performs in CSN's G&L Theater.
Three CSN seniors received scholarships from the Naples Art Association
The CSN Jazz Band performed at the Naples Philharmonic with Ben Taylor, in a benefit concert in May, 2011.
Library
A beacon to learning, The Landi Media Arts Center guides students, faculty and parents to a state-of-the-art facility endowed with one of the most extensive academic collections in Southwest Florida.Designed in 1997 by Architect Frank L. Neubek, a former CSN parent and Trustee, the LMA garnered an outstanding award from the American School & University Architectural Portfolio competition for a specialized facility in 1999. Featuring 31,000 square feet of space, the LMA encompasses a traditional two-level library , two computer labs, the 275-plus-seat G&L Theater, classrooms, a board room and the Pfeil Art Gallery. Thirty computers provide students with tools to accomplish their research and project goals. A knowledgeable staff is accessible to instruct and guide students of all ages.
On any given day, the LMA is a hub of activity, equally accessible from all points of campus and utilized by each and every student on a weekly, if not daily, basis. A lakeside setting adds the element of tranquility, befitting a library, while the outdoor lakeside plaza offers space for social gatherings with a view of nature.
Carrels located on the upper floor provide space for private study while the lower level accommodates younger students with diminutive tables and chairs. A vividly-decorated reading corner inspires more beginning readers with a story stage and table-top creative space.
Athletics
Student -athletes at the Community School of Naples won 7 district team titles, 5 regional team titles, and 1 state team championship in 2010-2011.CSN seniors finished 1st and 2nd in the State Cross Country Finals and ran in the National Cross-Country Championship in San Diego (2 of only 40 girls nationwide) The 2010-2011 Gatorade Florida Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year is a CSN senior. Two students received All-American Honors for track.
State Champions :Girls Varsity Basketball (2010-2011) (2nd time in 3 years!)
Sunshine Athletic Conference Champions - MS Girls Basketball (2010-2011)
Regional Champions: Girls Basketball, Girls Softball, Girls Golf, Boys Golf , Girls Cross Country (2010-2011)
District Champions: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Girls Golf, Boys Golf, Girls Swimming and Diving (2010-2011)
2010 marked the inaugural season of CSN Varsity Football
Extracurricular Activities
The CSN Upper School offers a total of 26 clubs ranging from more traditional co-curricular activities such as Mu Alpha Theta and Model UN to service oriented clubs such as Key Club. Of these 26 clubs, nine were student initiated.The CSN Programming Team One took first place in the 14th annual High School Programming Contest (November 2010), sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery.
CSN’s Upper School Academic Team finished 1st in the state in 2010.
The French Congrès Team finished 1st in the IA Division of schools for 2010-2011.
Two students were crowned State Champions at the 2010 Mu Alpha Theta State Convention, and seven more earned all-state designations (excellence in achievement) by placing in the top-20 in an event. Four of the seven earned multiple all-state designations.
A CSN junior placed 3rd in the Intermediate category at The 5th Chinese Bridge US High School Student Chinese Speech Contest in Marlborough Massachusetts. She and 23 other finalists represented 14 states.
After being named 4th in the National Semifinalist contest, a team of two Community School of Naples’ juniors were ranked 4th in the National Finals of the national civil engineering contest held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.The Community School team placed fourth from among more than 6,000 qualifying teams and 25,000 original designs.