Freedom Institute Expanding to Ave Maria with New High School Campus Opening Fall 2026
Pictured L to R: Eva Aspegren, Director of Growth; Christy Vaill, Principal, Freedom Naples; Kim Furar, Office Manager, Freedom Naples; Christopher Marker, CEO and Chief Learning Officer.
Ave Maria, FL — February 20, 2026 — The Freedom Institute will open a 10,000+ square-foot high school campus in Ave Maria in Fall 2026, located at 5078 Pope John Paul II Boulevard. Supported by strategic partnerships with Barron Collier Companies and Ave Maria Development, the expansion brings Freedom Institute’s proven, values-driven education model to the growing town of Ave Maria.
This announcement builds on Freedom Institute’s January declaration of its intent to expand into Ave Maria, supported by a $1 million matching grant from The Dekko Foundation. The new school will eventually serve over 120 students and boast a team of over 10 educators, with limited enrollment beginning this fall (August 2026).
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership of Barron Collier Companies and Ave Maria Development, and we feel truly blessed to become part of the Ave Maria community,” said Christopher Marker, CEO of the Freedom Institute. “Ave Maria is a remarkable place, rooted in strong values, family life, and a shared vision for the future, and it’s an honor to bring our high school program into such an extraordinary community.”
The campus will reflect Freedom Institute’s commitment to a classically informed, future-focused education, pairing rigorous academics with concierge-style support for each student’s next steps.
Preparing Students for College, Career, and Life
As a high school program, Freedom Ave Maria will offer the same award-winning model that has driven success at Freedom Naples, including:
- Personalized academic pathways
- Concierge-level college and career guidance
- Internships, apprenticeships, and career exploration
- Civic leadership and character development
- Early access to dual enrollment, including opportunities for free college credits as early as freshman year
The program is designed to prepare students not only for college and career, but for life equipping them with the skills, habits, and character needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Community Support Fueling Momentum
The previously announced $1 million The Dekko Foundation matching grant remains a central component of the expansion effort. All community contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of every gift and accelerating the development of both Freedom Ave Maria and Freedom Naples.
For more information about the Ave Maria expansion or how to participate in the matching fund, visit www.givebutter.com/freedominstitute or https://freedominstitute.net/ways-to-give. You can also contact Eva Aspegren at 239-913-9599.
ABOUT THE FREEDOM INSTITUE OF COLLIER COUNTY
The Freedom Institute is an innovative high school program offering personalized and flexible learning pathways that build critical thinking, financial literacy, and the foundations of engaged American citizenship. Through an AI-enhanced curriculum, a blend of high school and college courses, and real-world experiences including internships, college and career preparation, and job placement—students gain the skills, knowledge, and values essential for economic freedom and workforce success. The Institute’s American Dream Conversations at Freedom series brings civic, business, and thought leaders directly to students to share lessons about life, liberty, and the pursuit of excellence.
ABOUT AVE MARIA, FLORIDA
Ave Maria has sold over 5,500 new homes to date, has been named a Top 20 Master Planned Community in the United States, 2015-2025 Community of the Year, the Top Selling Single-Family Home Community in Collier County, a Blue Zones Certified Community, and its active adult community, Del Webb Naples, has been named a Top 20 Places to Retire. Located in southwest Florida, Ave Maria is a self-sustaining town including shopping and dining, employment opportunities, parks and recreation, and is zoned for all A-rated Collier County public schools. At its build out, the town will include up to 11,000 residences, and 1.8 million square feet of retail, office, and business park uses in its 5,000 acres. Ave Maria is located at the intersection of Oil Well and Camp Keais Roads in Eastern Collier County. The main entrance, on Oil Well just west of Camp Keais, leads to the Town Center. Take I-75, exit 111, follow the signs east to Ave Maria, approximately 25 minutes. For more information, please visit https://www.avemaria.com/ or call 239-352-3903.
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