School's mission is to develop within its students the intellectual and personal habits, values,and Q: Do charter schools take money away from public schools?
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q: What is a charter school? A: Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate under a performance contract, or a “charter” which frees them from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results. A: Charter schools ARE public schools. However, they receive less funds per
student than non-charter public schools. Q: Can charter schools pick and choose the brightest and best college-bound students? A: First and foremost, parents CHOOSE to send their children to charter schools. Further, charter schools and their eligibility requirements are determined by Florida statutes which require them to accept every applicant. Mason Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Academy. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs. When enrollment exceeds the school’s class size capacity, a random lottery is required. Q: When did Mason Classical Academy open? A: MCA opened in August 2014. Q: Which grades does Mason Classical Academy serve? A: MCA currently serves K-12 students. Q: Where is Mason Classical Academy located? A: MCA is located at 3073 S. Horseshoe Drive in Naples, Florida. Q: What is Classical Education? A: Classical education depends on a three-part process of training the mind. The early years of school are spent in absorbing facts,systematically laying the foundations for advanced study. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves. This classical pattern is called the trivium. Q: What is the trivium? A: The Latin word trivium means “three roads.” Ancient and medieval education was structured around the trivium, which consists of these three stages: grammar - skill in comprehending the facts; logic - skill in reasoning out relationships between these facts; and rhetoric - skill in wise, effective expression and application of the facts and their relationships. Q: What types of technologies will Mason Classical Academy utilize in its classrooms? A: No reliable research demonstrates that technology improves student achievement as it relates to learning.Computer classes will be offered, but you will not see laptops, iPhones or iPads on every desk. Q: How will Mason Classical Academy prepare its
students for standardized tests? A: MCA’s basic outlook on standardized testing is three fold. First, MCA does not “teach to the test,’ because the “test” is much less rigorous than MCA’s curriculum. Second, MCA expects the test to reveal much of what we already know. Third, since the standardized tests themselves are rather limited, we must keep in mind what real assessments measure, not what a standardized test from Tallahassee or Washington D.C. measures. Q: Will Mason Classical Academy require its students to wear uniforms? A: Yes, all students will be required to wear uniforms at MCA. Q: How does Mason Classical Academy’s curriculum differ from the other public schools in Collier County? A: MCA will use Singapore Math, Riggs Phonics and the Core-Knowledge Sequence. Textbooks will merely supplement the coursework. Primary sources will rule in the classroom. Q: Will Mason Classical Academy follow the same
academic calendar as the other Collier Public Schools? A: Yes, MCA will follow the same academic calendar as Collier Public Schools
Q: What kind of Gifted Program will Mason Classical Academy offer? A: The curriculum at MCA will be academically rigorous for all students. MCA does not label its students and will not have a separate program which labels any of its students. However, MCA will offer Advanced Placement classes in grades 9-12. The Singapore Math Program also provides for ability placement during the Math block. Q: Will foreign language be offered in the elementary (K-6) grades? A: Yes, Spanish and informal Latin will be required. Q: Will students’ parents have to volunteer their time at Mason Classical Academy? A: No, but parents will be encouraged to volunteer. Q: How many students will Mason Classical Academy accept? A: When the Academy has fully expanded into all grade levels (K-12), the facility will accommodate 900 students. Q: Will Mason Classical Academy hire certified teachers? A: Florida statutes require charter schools to hire certified teachers. However, certified does not necessarily mean qualified. MCA will conduct a national search for teachers. The Academy's teachers will be required to have a college degree in their field and the Academy will review the applicants' transcripts to ensure they successfully completed appropriate coursework.
06/17/2026
While students are enjoying a well-deserved summer break, our administrators, staff, and several faculty members are hard at work preparing for another incredible school year!
This morning, Mr. Hull took a group to tour the new Vanderbilt Campus—a wonderful reminder of what all the hard work, planning, and dedication are for. Seeing MCA’s new home come to life filled everyone with excitement and anticipation for the future! The final touches are happening this week and then it’s off to the races!
We can’t wait to everyone to see it at our Ribbon-Cutting ceremony in a few short weeks!!
06/15/2026
According to U.S. News & World Report, Mason Classical Academy High School has been ranked in the top 2.4% of all high schools in the United States—out of 17,901 schools nationwide!
And that's not all: MCA has once again earned the distinction of being the #1 high school in Collier County!
This is an extraordinary accomplishment. Our students, faculty, staff, and families have built something truly exceptional—a school that stands among the very best in America.
We celebrate this achievement with deep gratitude and tremendous pride. Congratulations to every member of the MCA community. Your hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to excellence have made this moment possible.
Go Paladins!
06/15/2026
Lands' End’s biggest uniform promotion of the summer is right around the corner! Now is the perfect time to stock up on uniforms for the upcoming school year while taking advantage of significant savings.
06/10/2026
Congratulations to recent MCA graduates and accomplished student-athletes, Daniella Saadeh and Owen Mummert, who received scholarships on Monday at the 32nd Annual Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Awards Banquet, presented by the FHSAA in Gainesville.
To be recognized among the top 24 student-athletes from around the state was a fitting way to complete MCA's first year as a full member of the FHSAA. Each student was selected based on academic excellence, athletic success, and service to their communities.
We wish Daniella and Owen every success as they continue to pursue excellence. Go Paladins!
06/06/2026
MCA Graduation 2026 🎓
What a beautiful evening celebrating the Class of 2026! We extend our sincere thanks to Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins for serving as our commencement speaker. Your words of wisdom, encouragement, and challenge were both inspiring and motivating for our graduates as they prepare to embark on their next chapter.
Thank you as well to the families, friends, teachers, and administrators whose support, sacrifice, and guidance helped make this milestone possible.
And most importantly, congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited to see where your journeys take you next. Once a Paladin, always a Paladin!
05/23/2026
✨ MCA Class of 2026 ✨
Your journey at MCA may have ended, but the great adventure is just beginning.
We are so proud of the young men and women you have become and grateful for the mark you have left on this community. Go forward with courage, wisdom, and wonder.
Congratulations, graduates! Your next chapter awaits!
05/22/2026
Today, MCA held its annual High School Olympiad! The day was packed with an opening ceremony, the parade of teams, a water balloon toss, dodgeball, chalk mural contests, trivia, lip-sync battles, and more.
Please take a look at the photos below — THIS is the high school experience that’s possible when phones don’t get in the way: connection, engagement, laughter, and real FUN. All too often, we see teens looking down at screens in silence, but not at MCA. You can practically hear these pictures — the cheering, teasing, laughing, and screaming. These students were having an absolute blast together.
We hope these photos make you smile the way they made us smile. And a huge thank you to the teachers who helped facilitate and participate in the beautiful chaos of today’s Olympiad. These are the kinds of memories our students will carry with them forever.
05/19/2026
Congratulations to Preston Shmukler, the 2026 winner of the Annual Third Grade Spelling Bee!
We are so proud of Preston for this impressive accomplishment! It takes dedication, perseverance, and hard work to master more than 450 spelling words! What an incredible showcase of diligence, courage, and academic excellence.
Congratulations to all the third grade contestants — not only did you make yourselves proud by the work you put into your preparation but the happy applause from the audience showcases incredible sportsmanship and support for your classmate! Bravo!
Challenge of the day: Do you think you could spell Preston’s winning word?
05/18/2026
MCA 10th grader, Mia Ferranti, participation in Florida History Day, which was held May 4–5 at Tallahassee State College. We are ecstatic to share that she earned 5th place in the State of Florida in her category! This year’s National History Day theme was “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Mia chose to create an exhibit titled, “Actions Speak Louder Than Words: The Silent Sentinels”, which explored the courageous efforts of the Silent Sentinels and their pivotal role in advancing women’s suffrage in the United States.
Mia felt very confident during the interview portion of the competition and was especially encouraged to receive numerous Exemplar ratings on her adjudication sheets. We are proud and grateful that Mia represented MCA with such dignity and poise throughout the competition. This achievement reflects many months of research, writing, and preparation. Mia would like to thank Mr. Zwerneman and Miss Purcell, whose wisdom, encouragement, and guidance were instrumental throughout the entire process as she conducted her research, designed her tri-fold exhibit board, and wrote her process paper.
Congratulations, Mia! You make our whole school community so proud!
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