VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NAPLES NAMES NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NAPLES NAMES NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

TO LEAD CONTINUED GROWTH OF ITS SPORTS PROGRAMS

The Village School of Naples, an independent school serving students in Preschool through 12th grade, announced that it has appointed Andrew Miranti as its new Athletic Director. In this role, Miranti will focus on building the Knights athletic program into one that attracts top student-athletes across Southwest Florida and abroad.

A resident of Naples since 2003, Miranti has been in education for 20 years. Over the last six years at The Village School, he has taught Science and Physical Education classes in the Upper and Middle Schools and served as Dean of Students and Head of the Middle School. A nationwide search is currently being conducted for a new Middle School Head.

Prior to The Village School, Miranti had teaching and coaching stops at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, La.; Bishop Kenney High School in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Gulf Coast High School in Naples, where he also was Head Varsity Football Coach.

Over his career, Miranti has coached football and track and field and has spent time as a strength and conditioning coordinator for college and Olympic athletes. He succeeds Athletic Director John Egan who is moving to Georgia to work with a long-time mentor.

“We thank John and his wife, Jill, for their service to The Village School and we are further pleased to see Andrew take our athletic programs to the next level,” said Dennis Chapman, Head of School for The Village School of Naples. “His experience and leadership here at The Village School will enable us to continue to attract families who are committed to a great athletic experience, a great education, and a great arts program.”

Miranti holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Secondary Education from the Loyola University of New Orleans.

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 aggressively renovating and expanding the academic, arts and athletic facilities to accommodate current and future growth.

“I am excited to take on this position and have an impact on the athletic programs here at The Village School,” Miranti said. “I look forward to working with our teachers, coaches and athletes to make sure we are getting the best possible outcomes on and off the field.”

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 with a class of 12 students. The school currently has over 100 upper school students, including 18 in the graduating class of 2022. For information, visit www.villageschoolnaples.org.