Address: One Lely High School Boulevard, Naples, Fl, 34113
Phone: 239-377-2000
Fax: 239-377-2001
Web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/lhs/index.htm
E-mail: fairbake@collier.k12.fl.us

Description: Mission Statement: "Lely High School is committed to excellence by meeting the needs of diverse learners in a safe, respectful and positive environment while providing opportunities for lifelong learning, critical thinking and problem solving which foster self-worth and dignity."

Overview: Most high-school age students from Marco Island attend Naples' Lely High School. Lely High was established in 1973, and split school hours in the Naples High School building until 1975, when construction on Lely's own building was completed. During the past 30 years, the size of the campus has increased from one building to seven to better serve its 1600 students.

Between 160 and 180 students who graduated from Marco Island Charter Middle School attended Lely in 2006.

"Lely High School is a great school," Principal Kenneth Fairbanks said. "We've had a lot of great students come through our doors."

Although the 2006-07 school year will be Fairbanks' first as principal at Lely, he is not new to Collier County schools. Fairbanks has spent the past 20 years working in the district and, many years ago, coached both tennis and basketball at Lely.

"The school spirit here is, I would say, number one in the district," assistant principal for curriculum Tammy Rodriguez said. "The students that are here want to be here."

In addition to a broad curriculum that includes honors and Advanced Placement classes, Lely has an English as a Second Language (ESL) program to better serve all varieties of students.

In 2006, 45.96 percent of Lely's student body were non-native English speakers. The makeup of students was 44.83 percent white, 36.38 percent Hispanic, 8.33 percent Haitian and 8.02 percent black.

"We have a diverse society, and the melting pot is truly here," Fairbanks said. "We provide a very safe, nurturing school."

Other academic options include a construction academy and a criminal justice academy, which offer students real-world experience. Lely is one of only two schools in the Collier County District to offer these programs. Projects undertaken by these special programs include working with Habitat for Humanity or volunteering with the Collier County Fire Department. Students also have a dual-enrollment option at Edison Community College that permits them to take college classes to supplement their high school curriculum.

"We have a great group of parents, faculty, and staff who truly believe in children. There's not a better school in Collier County," Fairbanks said.

The student government is very active, and past service projects include work with the Red Cross and Domestic Animal Shelter. Other student organizations include National Honor Society, speech and debate, drama club and the International Thespian Society, art club, Key Club, yearbook, J.R.O.T.C., College Reach Out Program (C.R.O.P.) and Teens for Christ.

Fight song: Trojan spirit onward with pride.
Great tradition is on our side.
Orange and black yea!
Show no slack!
With our cheers we hail you Trojans.
Trojan spirit will never die.
Victory is our cry.
Honor and glory we salute you.
Trojans go all the way,
L-E-L-Y Lely Trojans!

Alma Mater: To Lely's flowing colors we owe allegiance true.
And we will always cherish our glorious banner's hue.
So we'll hail our radiant colors, and honor we shall not lack,
While Lely stands defender of the orange and black.

Principal: Kenneth Fairbanks (e-mail)

Listen: Principal Fairbanks talks about Lely High School
2005-06 Enrollment: 1600
State test scores: Click here
2006 SAT and ACT assessment results (PDF)
2005-2006 SAT assessment results (PDF)
2005-2006 ACT results (PDF)

Heated smoking area? Unknown
Smoking porch? Unknown