High School on Marco Island Now Complete After Years of Work

It takes only one watt of electricity to power the modern, high-tech high school built by Jane Watt and her husband Jim.

ane, being the chair of the Marco Island Academy board, had a vision for the school and was determined to make it a reality without taxpayer dollars. After many years and fifteen million dollars, the school is now complete and its facilities are unparalleled.

Mark Melvin, a major donor to MIA, is also president of the MIA Rays Squadron, which continues fundraising efforts to cover annual operating costs. He has contributed nearly four million dollars in personal donations and has implemented cutting-edge technology throughout the school, such as smartboards in every classroom and keycard access panels at each door that provide real-time tracking of students and staff members. Every piece of glass in the building is hurricane-rated, and all structures exceed Miami-Dade hurricane requirements.

Other major donors who made this project possible include the Iordanou family, McCreanor family, Bill and Karen Young, and Rene and Tish Champagne. Mark Melvin explained that what he was most captivated by was Jane's passion for this project. With her determination and hard work, those involved with MIA can now look back on their journey with pride as it has been ranked in the top two percent of most challenging high schools by both the Florida Department of Education and The Washington Post.

The school provides both academic excellence and a nurturing environment for all of their students. It's a second home to them and a place where they can look at themselves holistically. With the help of many generous donors, Marco Island Academy is now a permanent state-of-the art facility, providing students with an education that was only once imagined.