Community School of Naples history

Sam Hazard was the first Head of School, and by 1984 CSN had grown to more than 90 students in K-8th grade.

These original buildings now form the heart of the modern-day Lower School division of CSN. James Young became CSN’s second Head of School in 1985, serving for one year.

In 1986 the school graduated its very first student, Evan Berlin, in a graduating class of one.

In 1989 as part of its Educational Outreach the Naples Council on World Affairs undertook to develop a program of academic enhancement in global issues for area high school students.

The following year Immokalee High School joined the program, sending students to the Miami MUN. Naples High School and Lely High Schools joined in 1992.

In 1994 the Naples Council on World Affairs sponsored and coordinated the first Southwest Florida Model United Nations.

In 1997, the iconic Landi Media Arts Building (LMA) with a library, theater, and other teaching rooms opened.

The current Middle School building opened in 2000.

After 16 years’ service as Head, James Landi left the School in 2001 and John Zeller became CSN's fourth Head of School.

Following the worldwide financial crash of 2008, CSN's total enrollment fell below 700 students for the first time in some years.

The school facilities continued to expand as the Humanities Wing of the Upper School was opened in the fall of 2012.

A new five-year Strategic Plan was launched in January 2014.

The Shea Memorial Amphitheater opened in August 2015.

The Student Union, the most recent addition to the campus, opened in February 2017.

Average AP scores place CSN consistently in the top ten schools statewide; average SAT scores in 2019 placed CSN as the 3rd best performing independent school in the state.