After delays in 2024 and 2025, Nova Classical STEM Academy is slated to open in August 2026. It’s created and operated by the Discovery Science Schools Network, an Orlando-based service provider for private and charter schools in Florida. The Fort Myers school located off Gladiolus Drive will be the group's first development in southwest Florida.

Nova claims to be the first school in the world that has integrated a classical curriculum with STEM. Kevin Flanagan, the director of teaching and learning for the Academy, says classical education puts an emphasis on logic and teaching kids how to think and learn. He hopes mixing that with the STEM focus will prepare students for a changing world.

"We're going to integrate STEM to bring in real world problem solving, expectations and design as

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