VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NAPLES LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP AND SHADOWING PROGRAM

VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NAPLES LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP AND SHADOWING PROGRAM TO SUPPORT UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Village School of Naples, an independent school serving students in Preschool through 12th grade, has launched an Internship and Shadowing program offering unique opportunities for its upper school students to engage in experiential learning beyond the traditional classroom setting and embark on a possible career path.

This unique program connects 11th and 12th grade students with experienced professionals locally in the business and medical fields. The mission is to empower the students by providing them with the chance to explore their career interests, acquire practical work experience, and cultivate the essential skills and knowledge for success in the workforce.

Dennis Chapman

“We are thrilled to be among the few schools in Southwest Florida to offer an internship program, giving our students a leg up on the competition,” said Dennis Chapman, Head of School for The Village School. “This program will enable students to explore different career options, develop skills and build relationships with professionals in their field.”

Internships run one to three weeks, and job shadows are one to two days. Students are selected for the internships by sponsoring employers based on applications and, in some cases, interviews. All students can participate in non-medical shadowing opportunities.

The ultimate goal of the Internship and Shadowing program is to provide meaningful work experience for students. Some internship sponsors will have students rotate between various departments as to learn different aspects of their company. With the exception of non-profit organizations in the community, all summer internships are paid positions.

Local companies interested in participating in the program may contact Mike Wexler, Director of Internships and Strategic Partnerships, via email at: mwexler@tvsnaples.org.

Founded nearly four decades ago as a private institution for pre-school students, The Village School of Naples introduced an Upper School division for high school students in 2017. Since then, the school’s leadership has been strategically renovating and expanding the academic, arts and athletic facilities to accommodate current and future growth.

Located at 6000 Goodlette-Frank Rd., The Village School of Naples originally began as The Caring Place Preschool in 1985 as an outreach at North Naples United Methodist Church. In 2000, the church relocated to the present campus location and added The Village School, beginning with K-2 and 37 students. In 2006, the school was accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Florida Kindergarten Council.

In 2009, parents asked The Village School for a middle school to be added and soon after added the middle school one grade a year to complete the eighth grade. Four years later, the Board of Directors voted to add an upper school with 17 students in the fall of 2017.

In June 2020, The Village School celebrated its first-ever graduating class of seniors. The school currently has more than 135 upper school students and will graduate its largest senior class (35 students) this spring.

About Us:
The Village School of Naples is more than an institution; it is a vibrant community committed to shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. We are a private, co-educational, independent school offering PreK3-12th grade students an impactful educational experience in a nurturing Christian environment. Our commitment is to empower and inspire students to become critical thinkers and innovative problem solvers in the face of challenges in our ever-changing world. Founded in 2000, our educational approach is rooted in hands-on experiences, fostering an atmosphere where creativity and curiosity thrive. We believe in a holistic approach to education, emphasizing not only academic excellence but also the development of character, empathy, gratitude and a lifelong love of learning. Additionally, our Village Success Center, comprising The Learning Center, QUEST College Success, and the Bridge and Enrichment Programs, serves our students as a neurodiverse center designed to stretch the brightest, support those with language-based learning differences, and provide the very best in individualized college placement counseling. We are also fully accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools. We are proud members of the National Honor Society and were recently recognized nationally by the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program Honor Roll as a Platinum level school.