Collier Career Academies

We’re excited to share another powerful example of Career & Technical Education in action across Collier Career Academies!

One of our Barron Collier High School Arts & Technology Academy students is spending the summer interning with CCPS, gaining real-world experience while helping develop a new application. This is exactly what workforce-ready learning looks like—students applying classroom skills to meaningful, hands-on projects that make an impact.

Through our academies, students don’t just learn about careers—they experience them. These opportunities build confidence, strengthen technical skills, and prepare students for future success in today’s fast-changing workforce.

Proud to see our students growing, contributing, and thriving through authentic learning experiences across Collier Career Academies!

Pure determination from an Immokalee Engineering & Trades Academy student at yesterday’s FPL Electrathon Speedway Series at Daytona International Speedway. It was great to see students so focused and excited as they put their engineering skills into action in a real-world setting. Experiences like this help bring classroom learning to life and show just how much passion our students have for engineering and the skilled trades.

Even though school is out for the summer, the energy is still FULL SPEED at Immokalee High School! ⚡🏁

Today our students took on the FPL Electrathon Race at the legendary Daytona International Speedway, competing against teams from across the state in an intense showcase of innovation, engineering, and electric vehicle performance.

From design to track strategy, our students demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and determination every step of the way. We are incredibly proud of how they represented Immokalee—on one of the most iconic racing stages in the world!

A big thank you to Florida Power & Light for continuing to create hands-on opportunities that fuel student learning and future careers in STEM.

Summer break? Not for excellence. 😎⚡🏎️

🌟 Want to Make a Lasting Impact on the Future Workforce of Collier County? 🌟

Our students are ready to learn from the professionals who are shaping our community every day—and we need your help!

Whether you can:
🎤 Speak to students about your career
🤝 Conduct a mock interview
🏢 Host a job shadow or workplace tour
💼 Mentor future professionals
💙 Provide financial support for student opportunities
..your involvement can open doors, inspire dreams, and help students build the skills they need for success.

At Collier Career Academies, students are exploring careers in healthcare, engineering, construction, business, law & public safety, hospitality, and many other high-demand industries. Community partnerships make these experiences possible.

✨ Your time. Your expertise. Your support. Their future.

If you're interested in partnering with us, we'd love to connect and explore how you can make a difference.

📞 Ysela Quintana
Manager, Career & Technical Education
📧 [email protected]
📱 239-377-0119

Together, we're building the next generation of leaders, innovators, and skilled professionals right here in Collier County.

A huge thank you to Mr. Tyler from Immokalee High School’s Law & Public Safety Academy for showcasing how technology is transforming student learning in exciting and innovative ways!

Students in Collier County Public Schools’ Crime Scene Technology pathway are stepping into the world of forensic investigations through Virtual Reality, gaining hands-on experience assessing crime scenes, collecting evidence, and strengthening critical thinking skills in immersive, real-world scenarios.

This cutting-edge technology is also enhancing learning opportunities for students in the Law & Public Safety Academies and Crime Scene Technology pathways at Aubrey Rogers High School and Lely High School, giving even more Collier Career Academy students access to authentic, career-connected experiences that prepare them for the future.

From innovation and technology to hands-on learning, amazing things are happening across Collier Career Academies as we continue creating Future Ready students!

🐊✨ What a GREAT day to be a Gator at!

Mr. Wheaton’s students absolutely impressed everyone at the ENMS Marketplace with their creativity, innovation, and kindness! Students found creative ways to solve everyday problems while designing personalized fidget items, custom earrings, coasters to keep desks dry, Gator Pride creations, and so much more.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing students use their talents to spread positivity across campus through custom flowers and kindness clips that put smiles on so many faces. 💙

From creativity and technology to entrepreneurship and kindness, our students showed what happens when learning comes to life. We are so proud of these young innovators and all they accomplished! 👏🐊

🎉 Fun, hands-on learning at Golden Gate High School! 🎉

Our Health Sciences Academy students had an amazing day in Ms. Lind’s class, where learning came to life in the best way!

🫁 Students used play-doh to build their own respiratory systems, modeling how the lungs and airways work. It was creative, interactive, and a great way to deepen understanding of the human body.

They also played the “Pick-Up Bones” game, putting their knowledge of the skeletal system to the test while having fun and staying engaged.

Ms. Lind creates a dynamic, hands-on learning environment where students stay active, involved, and excited about science every day. 🌟

So proud of our Health Sciences Academy students for their energy, teamwork, and enthusiasm for learning! 👏🩺

🎉 Big celebration at Immokalee High School! 🎉

We are beyond proud to share that 10 students from our Law & Public Safety Academy have earned their Florida 911 PST Certification—before even graduating high school!

This is an incredible accomplishment built on hard work, perseverance, and determination. These students committed themselves to the process, pushed through challenges, and stayed focused on their goals. In doing so, they’ve gained real-world skills that set them apart and prepare them for success in any direction they choose.

Whether they step into a career as a 911 operator or pursue another path, one thing is clear—they are leaving this program workforce ready, confident, and capable of overcoming anything in their way.

A huge shoutout to Mr. Tyler for his leadership and dedication in guiding this next group of Immokalee Indians, and sincere thanks to Mrs. Brooke Sanchez from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for her continued support and partnership in making opportunities like this possible. 👏💪📞🚔

What an incredible evening at our 2nd Annual District Finals & Celebration Dinner!

We had the opportunity to watch the top 5 teams from across the district take the stage and pitch their business ideas after months of hard work, creativity, and preparation. Every team delivered an impressive presentation, and the energy in the room made for a truly exciting and memorable night.

One of the highlights was having families, friends, teachers, community partners, and Collier Career Academies Committee members join us to support and celebrate our students. Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make this event so special.

The competition was extremely close — the top two teams were separated by just 0.5 points!

🏆 1st Place: Trash Kraken – Aubrey Rogers High School
🥈 2nd Place: Lizie’s Trees 4 Needs – Naples High School
🥉 3rd Place: For Dogs Sake – Naples High School
⭐ Honorable Mention: Unplugged – Gulf Coast High School
⭐ Honorable Mention: Medi Magic – Barron Collier High School

A huge thank you to our judges — David Hoffmann, Deanna Wallin, and Theo Etzel — for your time, expertise, and thoughtful feedback. Your guidance and encouragement made this experience truly meaningful and memorable for our students.

We also extend a sincere thank you to Bears Paw Country Club for providing such a beautiful venue for this event. Your support helped everything run seamlessly, and the setting helped make the evening feel extra special.

Congratulations to all of our student teams! Your innovation, professionalism, teamwork, and dedication were on full display. We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished this year.

What a powerful reminder of the talent, creativity, and bright future of our Collier County Public Schools students. Already looking forward to next year! 🎉

Our students did an amazing job stepping into real-world interview scenarios and building skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Special appreciation to our community partners for taking the time to support and mentor our students: Moorings Park, Bank of America, Althea Nursing Services LLC.

Opportunities like this make a real difference—thank you for investing in our students and helping prepare them for future careers!

Huge thank you to our Collier Career Academies Committee Member Madison Walker from the Greater Naples Chamber for organizing an outstanding Mock Interview experience at Lely High School!