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The Freedom Momentum: Growing Impact, Expanding Opportunity

Friends of Freedom,

We are in an incredible place at Freedom this spring. We are nearing $500,000 in donations and in-kind match toward our $1,000,000 goal. The opportunity to double the impact of support for Freedom is extraordinary, and we are grateful for the many donors stepping forward to help us grow and improve.

Our vision—Economic Freedom through Learning—continues to come to life for our Eagles. Seniors are now landing jobs and college placements, taking meaningful steps toward that vision. With growing demand for our model, we are expanding responsibly. Thanks in part to our AI initiatives, we’ve increased capacity at Freedom Naples with 20 additional seats for 2026–2027, and we are launching Freedom On Demand for families seeking a flexible, remote option. If you know families who value character, drive, and a more personalized path, please send them our way.

We are also making exciting progress at our next campus, Freedom Ave Maria. Our beautiful 10,000 sq. ft. facility is coming together, and we are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Jill Striz as Principal. A Golden Apple educator, experienced school leader, and Ave Maria resident, Jill is truly the perfect fit for this role. Enrollment for our August 2026 opening is already filling quickly—please help us spread the word.

Looking ahead, we anticipate sharing updates soon about expansion into Lee County and beyond, as we continue working to bring Freedom to more families.

We are also honored to have been selected to host the upcoming Florida State Board of Education Meeting on April 17th—a meaningful recognition of the work happening at Freedom.

It is a great time to be part of Freedom.

Sincerely,

Christopher Marker

CEO & Chief Learning Officer

Flexible Learning Paths for Freedom Students

One of the many advantages available to Freedom Institute students is the opportunity to participate in free college dual enrollment through the State of Florida while still in high school. Even more uniquely, Freedom students can access these college courses as early as 9th grade if they qualify—a significant advantage compared with most traditional schools. Many public high schools typically limit dual enrollment until 11th grade, while many private schools do not allow or accommodate dual enrollment at all. At Freedom, early access gives students a powerful head start, allowing them to earn real college credits—and even complete the equivalent of a two-year Associate’s degree—before graduating high school, saving both time and money while accelerating their academic journey.

This spring semester, 25 Freedom students across grades 9–12 are enrolled in dual enrollment courses, with 30 additional students eligible to participate next semester if they choose to continue. While three students are currently pursuing the ambitious goal of graduating with a full Associate’s degree, many others are choosing to take a few college courses simply to get a head start on free college credits and explore potential academic pathways. Freedom also supports students in qualifying for these opportunities by offering the Accuplacer placement exam three times in the fall and three times in the spring, making it easier for aspiring students to meet eligibility requirements.

At Freedom, it truly takes a village. We are deeply grateful to all of our educational and community partners—including our many mentorship and internship partners—who help bring real-world opportunities to our students. Together with our Success Coaches, these partnerships are part of Freedom’s unique concierge-style high school model, bringing together the best options available—from college dual enrollment to thousands of courses through platforms like Coursera and Freedom’s expanding AI offerings. The result is a highly personalized, flexible, and cost-efficient pathway that allows students to design an education built around their strengths, goals, and future success.

A special thank-you goes to our partners at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) for their outstanding collaboration. FSW colleagues regularly visit the Freedom campus—joining our parent nights to share information about dual enrollment opportunities and meeting with students and families throughout the year to review credits, track progress, and recommend pathways aligned with each student’s customized learning and career goals. We are also grateful to the Collier Community Foundation for their generous $5,000 grant, which helped outfit our highly utilized College and Career Room, where students work daily on college coursework, planning, and career exploration.

Photo: Jill Striz, Freedom Ave Maria's New Principal.

Freedom is excited to welcome Jill Striz as the founding Principal of Freedom Ave Maria, our second campus opening in August 2026. A longtime Ave Maria resident and passionate education leader, Jill brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal, along with a strong record of helping schools and students thrive. A Golden Apple–recognized Teacher of Distinction, she has led initiatives focused on student-centered learning, instructional excellence, and building strong school communities—values that align perfectly with Freedom’s mission of preparing students for economic freedom and real-world success. As principal, Jill will help launch Freedom’s innovative model in Ave Maria, giving students access to personalized education pathways, success coaching, early college dual enrollment, internships and mentorships, and cutting-edge AI literacy—all designed to help each student pursue a future aligned with their unique strengths and career goals.

Limited enrollment for Freedom Ave Maria's inaugural 2026-27 school year is now open.

Career Speaker Spotlight: U.S. Army Naples

Thank you to the U.S. Army Naples team for joining us this month as part of our Career Speaker Series. Our students gained valuable insight into the many opportunities available through military service—from leadership development and technical careers to education benefits and specialized roles supporting our country. Experiences like this help students see real pathways where dedication, discipline, and service can lead to meaningful and impactful careers.

Career exploration is a core part of the Freedom model and begins as early as 9th grade. Each student is paired with a dedicated Success Coach who works closely with the student and their family throughout high school to create a personalized academic and career plan based on the student’s goals—whether that path leads to college, trade certifications, or the workforce. Through monthly career speakers, internships, and even free dual enrollment college courses, Freedom students experience an individualized pathway rooted in our core values of hard work, respect, kindness, and patriotism. This is why Freedom is More Than a High School®.

Freedom Leaders Making a Difference

Seventeen members of our Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy are putting leadership into action through this year’s student-driven Impact Project: the Freedom Fundraiser on April 23, with all proceeds benefiting Golisano Children’s Hospital. From the initial idea to planning, organizing, and promoting the event, every step of this initiative has been led by the students themselves starting back in September.

Guided by the program’s ACTION principles: Awareness, Character, Teamwork, Initiative, and Ownership, these students have taken full responsibility for bringing their vision to life. They identified a cause they care about, worked collaboratively to build the event, and are leading the effort to make a meaningful difference in the community.

Their dedication shows the power of student leadership when young people are given the opportunity to take ownership, work as a team, and turn compassion into real impact. We are incredibly proud of these hard-working students for leading the way and showing what it truly means to be leaders in their community.

Leadership in Action
Experiences like the Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy Impact Project reflect the heart of the Freedom Institute’s educational approach. At Freedom, students are encouraged to take initiative, apply what they learn to real-world situations, and develop the character, leadership, and practical life skills that will serve them far beyond high school. Through our personalized model—supported by dedicated Success Coaches and our C5 curriculum focusing on Core academics, Civics, College & Career, Consumerism, and Character—students gain the confidence and experience to lead, serve, and solve real problems in their communities.

Projects like this fundraiser show that when students are trusted with responsibility and supported with mentorship, they rise to the challenge. These experiences help prepare Freedom students not only for college and careers, but also for lives of purpose, leadership, and impact.

We are grateful for our community partnership with Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy for facilitating such amazing opportunities! And thank you to Ms. Chieco and all Freedom Chick-fil-A Leaders for making a difference in the community.

Learning from Community Leaders

Freedom students had the opportunity to attend the March NextGen Speaker Series featuring Jay and Patty Baker, an inspiring event that provided valuable real-world insights into leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Two of our students—one pursuing interests in the performing arts and the other exploring a future in business—were able not only to attend the presentation but also to meet and speak personally with the Bakers. Experiences like this reflect Freedom’s commitment to personalized education, where students are encouraged to explore their individual passions while learning directly from accomplished leaders in the community. By connecting students with real-world mentors and experiences aligned with their interests, Freedom continues to fulfill its mission of preparing young people for meaningful college, career, and life pathways while developing confident, engaged future leaders.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Freedom AI student Tommy, whose recent achievement reflects both talent and determination. At a recent track meet at Community School of Naples, Tommy placed #1 in the 1600m, earning a spot at the state level as a 7th grader in Florida—an outstanding accomplishment. His commitment to excellence in both cross country and track is inspiring, and we are excited to watch his journey continue.

Tommy’s success is also a powerful reflection of the Freedom difference. As a Freedom AI student, he benefits from a highly personalized learning experience that blends innovative AI-driven tools with the guidance of dedicated Success Coaches. This allows us to tailor his academic path around his training schedule, passions, and goals—something traditional models simply cannot offer. As his mom shared, “I want to thank you guys for giving him the opportunity to be at Freedom—he is able to have more time to train not just baseball but also cross country/track.” That flexibility is intentional. At Freedom, we build close, meaningful relationships with our students and families, working together to design an education that truly fits each child.

Tommy’s story is exactly why we do what we do. By combining strong relationships, personalized coaching, and cutting-edge AI capabilities, we create space for students to thrive not only academically, but also in the areas they are most passionate about. This is how we help students grow into confident, driven young people—ready to succeed in college, career, and life.

See IG post and more photos here.

Meet Mrs. Johns - Success Coach | AI Division

Mrs. Nicole Johns is an experienced educator with more than 12 years in education, including roles in special education, instructional coaching, and school leadership. Born and raised in Naples, Florida, she is passionate about serving students and giving back to the community that shaped her. At Freedom, she serves as a Success Coach for the AI Division, where she supports students in navigating online learning and building the skills they need to succeed in a flexible, digital learning environment.

Mrs. Johns is especially inspired by Freedom’s mission to provide a future-focused education that prepares students not only academically but also for real-world success. She is passionate about mentoring students, helping them stay motivated, accountable, and confident in their abilities. Through strong relationships with students and families, she works to ensure every student feels supported while discovering their strengths, setting meaningful goals, and building pathways toward college, careers, and lifelong success.

Click here to connect with Mrs. Johns directly!

"Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Governor Ron DeSantis at a private event—and not once, but twice I was able to speak with him about something very close to my heart: The Freedom Institute.

As a parent with children at Freedom for the past three years—and someone who has experienced nearly every educational path imaginable—I can honestly say there is nothing like it.

Freedom offers a truly personalized high school experience where students build learning paths around their interests, talents, and future goals.

I was also able to personally thank Governor DeSantis for passing House Bill 1 and expanding Florida’s school choice programs. These policies have empowered families and opened the door to innovative models like Freedom.

At Freedom, students can graduate with a high school diploma, the option for free college dual enrollment (even a full 2-years of free college while in high school!)—or combine that with technical training or career certifications. By age 18, many are already years ahead academically and professionally. Focusing on strengths and aspirations combined with a highly personalized Success Coaching model, students are also highly motivated to learn.

Even more special—when I mentioned The Freedom Institute, Governor DeSantis remembered our students from his visit 2 years ago.

Grateful for leaders who champion education freedom and for the incredible team at Freedom building something truly life-changing for families like ours." - Eva Aspegren, Freedom Parent

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Share Your Freedom Story

Has Freedom made a difference for your family? We’d love to hear from you. Click the button below to share a short testimonial and help other families discover the Freedom difference.

We have a scheduled some amazing events for our Freedom Eagles, Families & Friends.

🍕 03.25 - Student Pizza & Game Night

🌮 03.28 - Freedom at Margarita & Taco Festival in Ave Maria (come visit our tent)

💃 04.10 - Freedom Formal Dance - sponsorships & tickets available for sale!

📖 04.17 - Florida State Board of Education meeting at Freedom

🎓 05.20 - Freedom Class of 2026 Graduation (Revs Institute)

Freedom launched the $1 Million Match Challenge : a powerful opportunity to double your impact from day one. For a limited time, every dollar you give is matched 1:1 to help expand our proven, personalized education model and build a new campus that will serve hundreds more students debt-free and future-ready for college, careers, and AI leadership. This is the moment to help set the pace, spark momentum, and turn bold vision into real growth. Give now and watch your generosity go twice as far.

We are grateful to the DEKKO FOUNDATION for their support of our innovative Freedom Institute, Freedom AI and Freedom Ave Maria educational programs and campuses.

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2706 Horseshoe Dr S, Naples, FL 34104, USA