Babcock Neighborhood School Selects Principal
Shannon Treece brings wealth of experience to innovative “Green STEAM” school
Babcock Ranch, Florida – Babcock Neighborhood School (BNS) today announced selection of veteran school administrator and teacher Shannon Treece as principal of the new public charter school that will be opening with Kindergarten through 6th Grade next fall. Currently serving as principal at Oasis High School in Cape Coral, Treece was selected from more than 164 applicants to lead development of both the curriculum and selection of staff for the innovative “greenSTEAM” school.
“We felt it was critical to find someone with experience in starting a new school, and who shared our passion for place-based, project-based learning,” said Dr. Christy Noe, President/CEO of Collaborative Educational Network, the consulting firm retained by Kitson & Partners (K&P) to create the school for the new, environmentally-friendly town of Babcock Ranch. “Shannon has proven herself over and over again as a teacher and principal, inspiring students and staff to achieve their full potential. Her energy is infectious and we look forward to her leadership.”
Treece first moved from the classroom to administration in 2004. After four years as an assistant principal at the middle and high school levels in her native state of Kentucky, Treece moved into the role of principal in 2007. She made the move to Cape Coral’s Oasis High School in 2015, where she has focused on improving student achievement and high quality teaching through curriculum, assessment and instructional practices for every student demographic.
“Everything I have done in my career has led me to this opportunity and am thrilled to serve the students, teachers, and parents at Babcock Neighborhood School,” Treece said. “This school is going to be something special and I am humbled that I was chosen to take the helm and support teachers and students in this exciting endeavor. Having my own child experience a next generation educational environment defined by project based learning around the greenSTEAM philosophy is exciting.”
Straddling the border of Charlotte and Lee counties in Southwest Florida, Babcock Ranch will eventually be home to about 50,000 people. As the only public school within a ten-mile radius of the new town center – BNS is also a more convenient option for neighboring families. While many charter schools open with just the lower grades in their first year, BNS will be ready for students up through grade six when classes begin next August. Enrollment is open to all students who qualify to attend a public school in Charlotte County, including out of district students who can be admitted on a space-available basis. The initial application period closed in February 2017 and students selected through a lottery drawing received notice of preliminary admission. They must complete the enrollment process to claim their spot. Additional applicants are being placed on a waiting list. Once the enrollment period closes students on the waiting list will be selected by lottery to fill openings – with first preference given to students who reside in Charlotte County.
With enrollment already near full capacity of the inaugural school facility located at the center of town on Founder’s Square, Babcock Ranch is accelerating development of the 35-acre school campus that will be permanent home of BNS K-8 school as well as the high school. In the interim, the current school building will be adding classrooms to accommodate more students starting in the Spring of 2018.
The coming months will bring a flurry of activity for Treece as she interviews and hires staff and works with BNS school board members and CEN consultants to design the full curriculum. The unique partnership with Kitson & Partners, BNS and CEN has equipped Babcock Ranch to deliver on the promise of high quality, community-based public education with an emphasis on the core community values of environmental stewardship, health & wellness, technology, innovation and collaboration.
“This opportunity is a dream come true on many levels as this work has been my passion for many years,” Treece explained. “ I desire to honor those who have invested in mentoring me throughout my career by making a difference in the lives of others. I serve in the best profession that exists and I look forward to serving at Babcock Neighborhood School.”
Teaching positions will be posted on April 10, 2017. Learn more, and apply online at www.babcockneighborhoodschool.org.