Back to School, Back to Community

August brings a familiar excitement to our neighborhoods—crisp notebooks, new shoes, and the return of school routines. But here in Avalon Park, back‑to‑school is so much more than a calendar date. It is a moment when our entire community comes to life.

I recall sitting down more than two decades ago with Orange County Public Schools leaders, asking a bold question: Could we build schools in Avalon Park the same time the homes were built—before students were even here? I was told it could not be done. Yet, I was convinced that a true community needed good schools from the very start. After all, I had heard from agents time and time again: quality education is the number one priority for families considering a new neighborhood.

So, with that determination, Avalon Park Group donated land, partnered with OCPS to fund and build schools, and supported the effort with sporting fields and band facilities. We knew a thriving community would teach by living together—not just in classrooms, but through everyday connections among neighbors.

That vision is alive today. Our design—from walkable pathways to schools and parks, to shared gathering spaces—was all created with families in mind. Children walk to Avalon and Stone Lakes Elementary, to Pinecrest Academy, Avalon Middle, and Timber Creek High, passing storefronts, green lawns, and friends. It is learning by living, every day.

The importance of partnerships continues to guide us. Through youth leadership programs, like LOVE Our Youth and the Avalon Park Foundation scholarships, we invest in our young residents. This year’s Back to School Bash, will see over 500 students walk away with supplies—an effort made possible by community groups, schools, Alive Church, the Avalon Park Foundation, Encore Assisted Living, and countless volunteers across Avalon Park Orlando.

To me, the spirit of lifelong learning extends beyond children. The 5th Floor is where entrepreneurs and creatives come to innovate. The Marketplace at Avalon Park supports small business growth for all ages. The Arts & Culture Center provides creative expression. Encore offers intergenerational dialogue and care, reminding us that growth never stops when people come together in shared spaces.

Back‑to‑school season brings palpable energy: businesses offering specials for parents at the Marketplace, AMP Oral Surgery hosting teacher appreciation events, community‑wide school supply drives. It is tangible proof that Avalon Park is a team—not just during school hours, but in supporting parents, educators, students, and neighbors alike.

A new school year is not solely a fresh start for students. It is an invitation to reaffirm who we are: creators, neighbors, collaborators. Together, we recommit to building a community where everyone can learn and belong.

Thank you for being part of the journey. Here is to a wonderful year ahead—for our children, our teachers, our businesses, our families, and one another.