| Dear Freedom Families, Friends, and Supporters, What a month it has been at Freedom! September gave us so many opportunities to see our mission in action, from students honoring our nation and exercising civic responsibility to national recognition for our team and another exciting step forward with the Yass Prize.
Most importantly, our Eagles are doing exactly what Freedom was created to help them do: discover their strengths, take ownership of their futures, and connect learning to the real world. With more than 200 students now across Naples, Ave Maria, and Freedom Anywhere, it is incredible to see how far this community has come in just three years.
Thank you to our families, donors, business partners, Success Coaches, and friends who continue to make it possible. Every milestone brings us closer to our vision of Economic Freedom Through Learning. Soar, Eagles! Christopher Marker
CEO & Chief Learning Officer |
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The Road to the Yass Prize Continues
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🏆 Freedom made it to Miami! CEO Chris Marker and Executive Director of Programs & AI Dr. Nathan Poteet joined an extraordinary group of just 12 Yass Prize alumni organizations nationwide at the September 15–17 Miami Accelerator, where Freedom presented its case for taking our model to the next level. The Alumni Award supports organizations demonstrating the Yass Prize’s STOP principles: Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education.
This journey has special meaning for Freedom. In 2024, during only our second year, we were named a Yass Prize Semifinalist. That original investment helped us expand student access, strengthen our Success Coach model, and build the foundation for the growth happening today. Now we are back as an Alumni Award contender, with two campuses, Freedom Anywhere, 200+ Eagles, and a model ready to reach even more families.
Next stop: Philadelphia on October 6, where Alumni Award recipients will be announced live at the Power of Innovation Summit. Chris will also take the stage as a Summit speaker on a program featuring national leaders including Governor Ron DeSantis and others shaping the conversation around education, innovation, and opportunity. We could not be more excited for this final step. Philadelphia, here we come! |
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🌎 Freedom Leaders Recognized Among Education Visionaries
CIO Views recently featured Chris Marker and Dr. Nathan Poteet among its “10 Most Visionary Leaders Transforming Education, 2026,” telling the story of how Freedom is building a student-centered alternative to traditional schooling. The feature explores personalized education, AI, workforce readiness, and a philosophy that focuses on what students are capable of becoming rather than simply where they struggle. That is the Freedom model at its core. |
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📺 Have You Seen Freedom on TV?
Freedom has a new digital streaming commercial, so don't be surprised if an Eagle flies onto your screen! The campaign introduces more Southwest Florida families to a different way to experience high school, with personalized learning, flexibility, career preparation, and real-world opportunities. And remember, Freedom offers continuous enrollment throughout the year at Freedom Naples, Freedom Ave Maria, and through our online Freedom Anywhere option.
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🇺🇸 2,977 Flags. Two Campuses. One Promise to Never Forget.
For the 25th anniversary of September 11, Freedom Eagles at both Naples and Ave Maria participated in Young America's Foundation's 9/11: Never Forget Project, creating flag memorials honoring the 2,977 lives lost in the attacks. Freedom Naples and Freedom Ave Maria are both listed among the schools participating nationally in this year's project.
This is what civic education looks like at Freedom. We want our students not simply to learn American history, but to understand it, remember it, and recognize the responsibility that comes with citizenship. Seeing thousands of American flags placed by our students across both campuses was a powerful reminder that we will never forget. |
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⭐ Congratulations, Abi!
We are proud to congratulate Freedom Eagle Abigail Burke on being named to the CCPS District All Stars list! At Freedom, personalization means creating room for students to pursue excellence beyond the classroom while continuing to build an academic pathway around their individual goals. Way to soar, Abigail! 🦅
Watch Reel Here. |
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Preparing the Next Generation of Citizens
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🗳️Freedom Eagles Register to Vote
Civics at Freedom goes beyond a textbook. This month, eligible students had the opportunity to participate in high school voter registration, putting into practice the responsibilities of citizenship they study throughout the year. Our goal is to graduate Eagles who are prepared not only for college and careers, but to become informed, engaged citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities. |
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🇺🇸 WE THE PEOPLE! Celebrating Constitution Day
In the week leading up to Constitution Day, Freedom Eagles explored their Constitutional rights and responsibilities through hands-on activities that brought our founding document to life. Students even worked together to create their own Eagles Nest expectations, experiencing firsthand the challenge of reaching agreement and getting a small taste of what our Founding Fathers faced!
At Freedom, learning about the Constitution isn't just about history. It's about understanding the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities that shape our everyday lives as American citizens. We are grateful to the Cato Institute and Mr. Bob Levy, as well as Constitution for the People and Mr. Joe Cofield, for providing Constitutions for our Eagles, and a special thank you to Ms. Garafola for making Constitution Week so engaging and meaningful.
Watch this reel to see our Eagles putting civics into action! ❤️🤍💙 |
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🌟 Dr. Nathan Poteet Named to Gulfshore Business' 40 Under 40
We are incredibly proud of Dr. Nathan Poteet, Executive Director of Programs & AI, who has been named one of Gulfshore Business' 2026 40 Under 40 rising stars! The annual recognition celebrates Southwest Florida professionals making an impact through both their careers and their communities.
Dr. Poteet's work embodies so much of what makes Freedom different. After 14 years as a teacher and administrator, he joined Freedom to help build learning models that connect education directly to careers, entrepreneurship, AI, and economic freedom. Beyond Freedom, he also helps Southwest Florida businesses and organizations understand how to adopt AI ethically and effectively. We are fortunate to have his leadership helping prepare our Eagles for the world ahead. Congratulations, Dr. Poteet. Soar, Eagle! 🦅 Read article here. |
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⚡ Thank You, LCEC!
A huge thank you to LCEC for becoming a 2026-27 Career Field Trip Series Sponsor at Freedom Ave Maria. Partnerships like this allow our Eagles to get outside the classroom, explore industries and careers firsthand, and connect what they are learning today with the opportunities available to them tomorrow. We are grateful to LCEC for investing in the next generation of Southwest Florida's workforce. |
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| 🚗 Thank You, Germain Honda of Naples!
Our friends at Germain Honda of Naples continue to go above and beyond for the Freedom family. After generously catering our Freedom Ave Maria Grand Opening, Germain Honda is now offering complimentary oil changes to Freedom staff and families. We are incredibly grateful for partners who support not just our organization, but the people who make up the Freedom community. |
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Final Push to Reach $1 Million |
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💙 The Final Push: Our $1 Million Match is 75% Complete!
We are thrilled to share that our Freedom community has reached 75% of our $1 million matching goal! What an incredible testament to the families, donors, businesses, foundations, and friends who believe in our students and our vision of Economic Freedom Through Learning. Every gift is being matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling its impact as we expand access, strengthen our programs, invest in our Success Coaches, and bring the Freedom experience to even more students. We are so close, and now we need our entire Freedom family to help us finish strong. Watch our video, visit our giving page, and help us close the final 25%!
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Upcoming Events at Freedom |
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| We have scheduled some amazing events for our Freedom Eagles, Families & Friends. |
🏫 09.29 - FSW Dual Enrollment Night - Naples Campus ☕️ 10.06 - Naples Parent Coffee & Connection (Acopio Coffee) 🚨 10.06 - National Night Out ☕️ 10.13 - Ave Maria Parent Coffee (The Bean)
🍁 10.17 - Freedom at Ave Maria Fall Festival 🏑 10.23 - Freedom: Florida Everglades Spirit Night |
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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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Follow us on our socials: |
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2706 Horseshoe Dr S, Naples, FL 34104, USA |
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