North River Charter Academy Celebrates Opening of New State-of-the-Art STEAM Campus with Ribbon-Cutting Celebration
North River Charter Academy celebrated the opening of its new campus with an official ribbon-cutting celebration attended by students, families, staff members, community leaders, and local partners.
Located at 13020 Rutland Road (CR 675) in Parrish, the new state-of-the-art campus officially opened to students on August 24th. North River Charter Academy is a tuition-free STEAM charter school currently serving students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The school will expand to seventh grade for the 2027–28 school year and eighth grade for the 2028–29 school year.
“This building represents so much more than classrooms, hallways and a beautiful new campus,” said Principal Brittany Fangmeier. “It represents a vision of what North River Charter Academy is now and will continue to become and, most importantly, the community that is helping us build it.”
Fangmeier thanked the school’s students, families, faculty, and staff for believing in the vision for North River Charter Academy and helping establish a strong school community.
“Our Wolves are the heart of North River Charter Academy, and everything we have built and continue to work toward is for them,” Fangmeier said. “North River Charter Academy is just getting started, and we are so excited about what lies ahead.”
North River Charter Academy Preschool Director Traci Morris emphasized the unified vision shared by the charter school and preschool.
“We are proud to create a place where children can explore, imagine, build, discover and develop a lifelong love of learning,” Morris said. “This school is more than a building; it is a community made possible by our dedicated staff, supportive families, community partners and everyone who believed in our vision.”
The new campus reflects FORZA Education Management’s commitment to its guiding philosophy: “Giving parents a choice and children a chance.”
“North River Charter Academy started as an idea and an application with a simple but important purpose: to expand parent choice and provide families in Manatee County with another high-quality educational option for their children.” said Will Staros, Chief Operating Officer of FORZA Education Management. Of the event, Staros said, “Seeing this campus filled with students, educators and families is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together around a shared vision for children.”
Representatives from the Manatee Chamber of Commerce joined school leaders and members of the community for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially welcoming North River Charter Academy to the local business and education community.
The celebration also recognized FORZA Education Management, the North River Charter Academy Board of Directors and the school’s Partners in Education: HCA Florida, Mann Orthodontics, Children’s Dentistry of North River, Sweet Street Pediatric Dentists, and Same Day Plumbing & Air.
Throughout the celebration, members of the community and prospective families were invited to tour the new facility, explore its modern learning spaces and discover the educational opportunities available to North River students. Families also had the opportunity to meet members of the school team and learn more about enrollment.
Guests enjoyed food and refreshments from local vendors Two Guys to Go, Ryan’s Coffee House, Whipped Strawberry Wonders, and Kona Ice of Manatee County. Activities for students and families were also provided by Patriot Inflatables & Party Rentals.
“Together, we are building a bright future for our students,” Morris said. “We are excited for the many discoveries, accomplishments and memories that will be made here.”
North River Charter Academy is currently enrolling students in grades K–6. Families interested in learning more about the school may visit NRCAedu.org or call (941) 263-2048.
About North River Charter Academy
North River Charter Academy is a tuition-free STEAM charter school serving students in Parrish and the surrounding communities. The school currently serves kindergarten through sixth grade and will expand to serve students through eighth grade over the next two school years. Through science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics, North River Charter Academy provides students with engaging educational experiences designed to encourage exploration, creativity, collaboration and academic growth.
About FORZA Education Management
FORZA Education Management supports charter schools committed to providing families with meaningful educational choices and students with opportunities to learn, grow and succeed. Guided by the philosophy “Giving parents a choice and children a chance,” FORZA provides leadership and operational support designed to help schools and their communities thrive.