Canterbury School

The Canterbury School is dedicated to academic excellence within a caring and supportive community emphasizing character, leadership, and service.

Canterbury’s history is rich in leadership and vision by those who have come before us as donors, visionaries, and volunteers. Together they have set the course for what Canterbury is today, a well-respected educational institution producing students who are prepared for success in college and beyond.

For more than five decades, Canterbury School has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, preparing students to excel in the world. From its first faculty member in 1964, Canterbury’s outstanding faculty has nurtured the individual potential in each student. They challenge, support, and recognize the individual learning journey of a diverse student body.

Today’s mission of academic excellence, leadership, character, and service are evident by the contributions of more than 1000 Canterbury alumni all over the world. Our work continues to honor our rich history while envisioning our next 50 years of service.

Incorporated in 1964, Canterbury School was originally founded as a coeducational elementary school to promote Christian education in downtown Fort Myers. The founders were Dr. Joseph Selden, Dr. Edward Saunders, Dr. Vercil Senseman and Mrs. Bernice Grimsley.

One of the original students highlighted the nurturing and inspiring teachers, and said it was the best experience of her young life. A year later the campus moved to “The Bungalows” on Royal Palm Avenue and by 1968 had added grades 7 and 8. By 1969 the little school had grown to 200 students compelling the trustees to find a new site on College Parkway and secure funding to construct a new school. Students, faculty and trustees helped move into the new facility over winter break in 1970.

In 1971 Canterbury received accreditation from the Florida Council of Independent Schools and adopted the Individually Guided Education philosophy. The athletic program gained strength as the school added high school grades in the 70s. In June of 1977, Canterbury celebrated its first high school graduation at South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island. In the next decade, the school, now non-sectarian and more diverse, dedicated itself to a college preparatory curriculum. Headmaster Frank Romano (1987-1993) and board president Dave Lucas (1988-1997) presided over a period of academic rigor with a comprehensive honor code, increased enrollment and campus expansion.