Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is a private, Roman Catholic K-12 school in Ave Maria, Florida.[2] Founded as Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School, it was initially independent of the Diocese of Venice, Florida. On May 12, 2017, the Diocese of Venice in Florida announced its plan to purchase Rhodora J. Donahue Academy and convert it into a Diocesan Parochial School.[3] Documentation of the transfer was recorded with the Collier County Clerk's office on July 6, 2017.[4] The school has been listed on the Catholic Education Honor Roll as a School of Excellence.[5] The founding headmaster in 2007 was Dr. Daniel Guernsey, who left the academy in 2013 to head up the Education program at Ave Maria University, and who was hired by the diocese in 2017 to return to the academy as its principal.[6]
| Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
4955 Seton Way , , 34142 | |
| Coordinates | 26°20′27″N 81°26′7″W / 26.34083°N 81.43528°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, Coeducational |
| Motto | Christum Novisse Virtutem Contendere |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 2007 |
| Grades | K–12 |
| Enrollment | 274 (2018-19) |
| Color(s) | Blue and Green |
| Team name | Shamrocks |
| Accreditation | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Athletic Director | Janet Deliso |
| Website | www.donahueacademy.org |
History
editThe school was established in 2007 as the Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School.[7]
Athletics
editThe sports teams are nicknamed the "Shamrocks."
Sports offered are 8-man football, basketball, baseball, cross country, track, softball, volleyball, and soccer.
In 2016, the Donahue Academy Shamrocks had a record of 11 wins and zero losses, winning the 2016 Florida FCAPPS 8-man Football State Championship Title game.[8]
Shakespeare Program
editOne of the hallmarks of Donahue Academy has been the Shakespeare program founded in 2015 by Peter Atkinson, a graduate of Ave Maria University. Atkinson's performance model was based on his experience as a performer in Ave Maria University's Shakespeare in Performance program. His teaching model was based on that of Shakespeare & Company. In 2017, Atkinson left his teaching position to pursue further education at Columbia University. Robert Gotschall, another former member of the Shakespeare in Performance program, who had previously taught at Mason Classical Academy in Naples, took charge of the program.[9]
Productions:
Notes and references
edit- ^ "MSA-CESS -> Member Resources -> Membership Directory". www.msa-cess.org. MSA-CESS. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
- ^ "School Profile". Donahue Academy. 2015-05-27. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
- ^ "Diocese takes over Ave Maria's Donahue Academy".
- ^ "The Ave Maria Herald - Diocese Completes Purchase of Donahue Academy; Lawsuit Dropped".
- ^ "The Ave Maria Herald - Donahue Academy Wins Spot on the Catholic Education Honor Roll".
- ^ "The Ave Maria Herald - Diocese Completes Purchase of Donahue Academy; Lawsuit Dropped".
- ^ "What's up in Ave Maria: New headmaster completes his first year at Donahue Academy".
- ^ "Schedule - Donahue Catholic Shamrocks 2016 Football (Ave Maria, FL)".
- ^ "What's Up in Ave Maria: Dan Guernsey returns to lead Donahue Academy forward". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ "What's Up in Ave Maria: Peter Atkinson directs 'Romeo and Juliet' at Donahue Academy". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ Shnaider, David. "The Ave Maria Herald - Donahue Presents Shakespeare's "As You Like It"". www.aveherald.com. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
- ^ "Shakespeare". Donahue Academy. 2018-05-09. Retrieved 2018-08-02.