New elementary school is in the works in North Naples

Rising community pressure is being felt at Laurel Oak Elementary School, which is situated on Immokalee Road east of I-75. A new primary school that will be located just a few blocks away on Immokalee Road represents one way that Collier County Public Schools is easing some of the pressure, according to a recent article by Bella Line of Fox4.

Chief Communications Officer for the CCPS, Chad Oliver stated, “We operate schools based on a neighborhood model, meaning you attend schools close to where you live in your neighborhood. In Southwest Florida, development is always taking place, along with population shifts and fresh construction. Enrollment balance in schools and future growth planning are two reasons why this approach is essential right now.”

In an effort to reduce student load and travel time, schools in Collier County are exploring methods to reduce enrollment. CCPS has responded by rezoning land in order to build “Elementary L,” a new elementary school. Laurel Oak Elementary is now overcrowded, so Oliver says the goal is to relieve some of the pressure on it. The adjustments, according to him, will impact about 1,400 elementary school children.

“It means their child is going to go to a different school, but it’s a necessary process,” explained Oliver.

The school district will be hearing from the public at these upcoming meetings:

February 6 from 6-7 p.m. at 14975 Collier Blvd., Oakridge Middle School
February 20 from 6-7 p.m. at 16165 Learning Lane, North Naples Middle School

This article originally appeared on Fox4