CSN History

Community School of Naples (CSN), an independent, college preparatory day school, was founded in 1982 by a group of parents seeking to establish a quality, independent school close to home.  Recruited by word of mouth, the original student body consisted of fewer than 50 students who began K-5 classes in rented accommodations in two churches in Naples.  Sam Hazard was the first Head of School, and by 1984 CSN had grown to more than 90 students in K-8^th grade.  Twenty-eight acres of land on Pine Ridge Road were donated that year, and $3 million was raised in order to construct the first five classroom buildings.  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. James Landi became CSN’s third Head of School in August of that year.  A decision to suspend the high school program and focus on K-8 education was made that same year.

Under the leadership of Headmaster James Landi, Community School strategically planned for the future. In 1992 the high school reopened, graduating its first full class of 19 students in 1996. The next chapter of the school’s development began. During this period, the campus expanded and new buildings were constructed. 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. By this time, the total enrollment of the school had risen to 500 students. In 2001 John Zeller became CSN’s fourth Head of School.  It was in this year that the Board of Trustees signed a contract to purchase an additional contiguous 84-acre tract of land to the immediate north of the existing campus to provide for future expansion.  Construction of a new Upper School academic building, a three-court, two-story Field House (today The Moe Kent Family Field House), and new athletic fields and tennis courts was completed for the 2004-05 school year.  In 2006 the total student enrollment was around 800 students.  The Board made the decision to sell 40 acres to a local developer, and this eventually became the Manchester Square neighborhood. The proceeds enabled the school to begin a small endowment.

Following the worldwide financial crisis of 2008, CSN’s total enrollment fell below 700.  During this same period, the school began its International Program with five Chinese students hosted by CSN families. This proved successful, and the program has since developed to host an average 15 students each year.

John Zeller, having served 11 years as Head of School and 26 years at CSN in total, left the school in 2012.  Dennis Grubbs was appointed interim Head of School in July 2012.  During the 2012-13 school year a worldwide search for the next Head of School was conducted and David Watson began his tenure as CSN’s fifth permanent Head of School on February 1, 2013. 

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 International Program was expanded to include a new Global Exchange Program, which involved student exchange trips with sister schools in Germany and Spain. The Shea Maurer Memorial Amphitheater, overlooking the preserve area in the Lower School, opened in August 2015.

The Student Union opened in February 2017. This beautiful reception building houses the new Dining Hall with food service, modern facilities for Innovation, an Upper School study area, lecture hall, administrative office space, and a Leadership Room for both Board and student use.