Dirt’s Done: Land Cleared for Massive New Mason Classical Academy Campus in North Naples

If you’ve driven along Vanderbilt Beach Road near 7th Avenue NW recently, you’ve probably noticed the trees are gone — and the bulldozers have done their job. Mason Classical Academy (MCA), a top-performing Collier County public charter school, has officially cleared its newly acquired 17-acre site in preparation for a brand-new K–8 campus slated to open by fall 2026.

This new North Naples site will replace the school’s South Campus on Horseshoe Drive, consolidating operations into a purpose-built, two-story, 109,000-square-foot facility. With enough space for 1,500 students, it’s one of the most ambitious school construction projects currently underway in the area.

The land — made up of four former residential parcels — was acquired last year for over $6 million. Clearing began earlier this summer and wrapped up quickly under the direction of Southcrest Management. Crews demolished several homes and leveled the site, paving the way for vertical construction, which is expected to begin once final permits are issued.

What’s Coming to the New Campus

The campus will include:

• A large loop driveway with three lanes to manage school traffic

• Over 150 parking spaces

• Two outdoor basketball courts

• A soccer field

• Full-size classrooms designed to match MCA’s classical education model

The building itself will be split nearly evenly between two floors and will rise about 30 feet above ground. Construction is scheduled to finish by spring 2026, giving staff time to prepare for a full relocation ahead of the 2026–27 school year.

North Campus Expansion Also Underway

While this new K–8 campus will handle elementary and middle school students, MCA’s North Campus — on the former Hodges University site — is also expanding. A new single-story facility with a gym, fitness area, band lab, offices, and additional classrooms is set to open by August 2025. That project is expected to cost around $2.25 million.

Mixed Reaction From Neighbors

While many families in Collier County are excited about the expansion, not everyone in the immediate area is thrilled. Some neighboring homeowners have raised concerns about increased traffic, wildlife displacement, and the impact on nearby properties. Others flagged worries over Florida’s gun laws due to nearby outdoor recreational shooting zones that may now fall within school proximity restrictions.

Regardless, the project is moving forward, having passed all necessary zoning approvals and permitting checkpoints for land use and clearing. Once full building permits are issued, vertical construction will begin, and Naples will soon have another major educational facility on the map.

Quick Summary

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a new school building—it’s a signal that Collier County is continuing to invest in public charter education with long-term roots. For families seeking alternatives to traditional public schools, this move cements MCA as a fixture in the future of local education.

And for Naples, it means more development, more demand for nearby real estate, and likely more activity in an already-growing corridor.