Start of a New Era at Marco Island Academy as New Campus Opens

The two leading ladies at the new Marco Island Academy campus could not be happier about the way things unfolded on the first day of school Tuesday morning.

“I am overjoyed to have students back on campus,” Melissa Scott said from her bright pink principal’s office. “They light up every new space with intelligence, laughter, kindness, and potential. They are truly going to make our new campus a home.”

For Jane Watt, the founder of Marco Island Academy and board chair, Tuesday is the day she’s been working toward since she first envisioned Marco’s first high school in 2009.

“I feel like the moment I have been waiting for my whole life has just arrived,” Watt gushed. “We finally have a permanent home for our students, faculty and administration team. My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who has helped along the way. There are moments in time that change your life. Today was one of those days. Bigger than life.”

Watt actually started the celebration late Monday morning when she invited the faculty, administration team, board members and donors to the new school for a luncheon. She also surprised everyone with an impromptu “dancing in the streets” moment in front of the new school. She chose the Barry Manilow song “It’s a Miracle” as the dance music.

“The song came to me as a vision,” Watt said. “I know it sounds funny, but periodically this happens to me. I see what I want something to be before it happens. I pictured our staff, students, board, donors, and friends dancing in the street to celebrate. Yesterday we did exactly that. I can’t wait for our newest construction video to be released. It will feature the new campus with “It’s a Miracle” playing in the background and will include our MIA family dancing in the street. This was exactly how it was meant to be.”