Rhodora J. Donahue Academy of Ave Maria is a private, Roman Catholic K-12 school in Ave Maria, Florida. Founded as Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School, it has been independent of the Diocese of Venice, Florida. On May 12, 2017, the Diocese of Venice in Florida announced it would purchase Rhodora J. Donahue Academy after which time the school will become a Diocesan Parochial School. Documentation of the transfer was recorded with the Collier County Clerk's office on July 6, 2017. The school has been listed on the Catholic Education Honor Roll as a School of Excellence. The founding headmaster in 2007 was Dr. Daniel Guernsey, who left the academy in 2013 to head up the Education school at Ave Maria University, and who was hired by the diocese in 2017 to lead the academy as its principal.HistoryThe school was established in 2007 as the Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School.AthleticsThe sports teams are nicknamed the "Shamrocks."Sports offered are 8-man football, basketball, baseball, cross country, track, ultimate frisbee, softball, and soccer.In 2016, the Donahue Academy Shamrocks had a record of 11 wins and zero losses, winning the 2016 Florida FCAPPS 8-man Football State Championship Title game.
