Collier County Public Schools broke ground June 3 on Ave Maria Elementary School. Scheduled to open in August 2026, the school will serve 900 students and create about 100 jobs. It also will function as a hurricane shelter for the surrounding community. Originally planned for 440 students, the project expanded due to rapid growth in Ave Maria. The new campus will span 46 acres off Anthem Parkway, about 5 miles north of Oil Well Road, WINK News reports.