Project Summary
Neighborhood School
K-8 school located in Babcock Ranch, the first completely solar powered community. Provides a “wall-to-wall” project-based learning approach within a “greenSTEAM” environment.High School
Developed high quality charter application for second school located in Babcock Ranch; designed to extend and expand on the educational experience provided by its sister K-8 school project-based learning, flipped classroom, and engineering/architecture learning communities.Client
Services
Location
Charlotte County, FL
Strategy and Approach
CEN engaged early (before the school design, construction, or leadership were in place) listening closely to the developer’s vision and translating it into a viable, innovative charter school model. They wrote and submitted the charter application, facilitated focus groups, recruited and trained the governing board, and helped plan the facility needs. One of CEN’s first major steps was hiring the founding principal, then mentoring and supporting that leader through rapid enrollment changes, shifting priorities, and operational challenges.
Over the years, CEN continued to guide the school through leadership transitions, facility expansions, project-based learning curriculum design, ESE compliance, operational processes, and aligning the school’s mission with real-world execution. Their support evolved over time to stepping in during major decisions or growth periods, and stepping back as the school built internal capacity.
Achieved Results
The school opened with over 150 students instead of the expected 35 and has maintained a strong waitlist for nearly a decade. It has grown to serve more than 1,300 K–12 students, celebrated its first graduating class, and is currently planning a second campus. The founding principal credits CEN as an indispensable partner, especially in responding to rapid change, developing strong leadership systems, ensuring compliance, and creating a scalable school model.
CEN’s long-term partnership helped the school move from a concept to a thriving, innovative institution with successful charter approval, strong governance, high enrollment demand, successful facility builds and expansions, and a sustainable leadership model that continues to grow and adapt over 10+ years.
Project Highlights
Engaged at the earliest stage (before the building was designed) to align the school with the developer’s vision.
Wrote and submitted the charter school application, which was approved.
Led community focus groups to gather input and build interest around the school’s mission and features.
Recruited, trained, and supported the governing board to ensure strong leadership and structure.
Conducted the search and hiring process for the founding principal and continued mentorship throughout early challenges.
Continued long-term support over 10 yearsassisting with expansions, curriculum development (project-based learning), ESE compliance, leadership transitions, and operational systems.
“CEN has been a huge help. They provide a nimble, flexible system of support. It happened organically, but the support mechanisms they put in place worked. As a result, the need for support diminished as we worked.”
