NEWS

NEWS

August 31, 2018

Babcock Ranch school expands to meet popularity

By: Vicki Parsons - IT

Former Gov. Jeb Bush joined Syd Kitson, elected officials and community and education leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the new Babcock Neighborhood School in Babcock Ranch. The school, completed two years ahead of schedule to meet growing demand after BNS’ initial year of operation, features a project-based learning curriculum that earned the school an A grade last year from the state of Florida.

Following a brief ceremony, nearly 100 guests joined school administrators, teachers and student ambassadors in BNS classrooms to experience the school’s unique approach to project-based learning. Bush presided over the creation of the 73,000-acre Babcock Ranch Preserve during his second term as governor.

When developer Kitson began planning the new town that was approved as part of the historic preservation transaction, he put together an advisory board that could help transform his vision for an innovative, sustainable new town into reality. Bush joined that board seven years ago.

“As we looked toward the future of this new town of Babcock Ranch, we were extremely fortunate to have the guidance of Governor Bush, a national leader in education reform,” Kitson said.

The unique, environmentally focused “greenSTEAM” curriculum at BNS integrates science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics into projects that allow students to learn by doing.

After opening at full capacity with 156 students in a smaller facility for the 2017-18 school year, the larger BNS building was fast-tracked to be ready in time to welcome students for 2018-19. On Aug. 10, 338 students in grades K-7 began classes.

Babcock Ranch is located northeast of Fort Myers off Babcock Ranch Road/State Road 31.