NFB Académie Mission: Designed to nurture those in classical ballet for careers as professional artists while inspiring all students to pursue an enriched life, the Academie serves as a cultural anchor and economic driver in our community.

Since its inception in 2001, NFB Académie has impacted nearly 1000 students from Northwest Florida in third through eighth grades, graduating a total of 12 eighth-grade classes. The NFB Académie has been an A+ rated school for 14 consecutive years and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Currently, the NFB Académie has 142 students enrolled in third through eighth grades with a staff of 22 (academic, artistic and administrative) and is operated by NFB through a public-private partnership with the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD). Visit the NFB Academie page to learn more about our school.

Building owner Susan Myers agreed to sell the second-floor space as well as the third-floor enabling NFB to bring middle school academics over to the same building for $100,000 below market value. Financiers Clark West and Elliott Mitchell brokered the transaction by obtaining below-average interest rates and cost savings at closing, which will save NFB more than $100,000 over the life of the loan.

Collectively the $200,000 in-kind commitments by Myers, West and Mitchell allowed NFB to act swiftly and secure the academic classroom space vital to the success of the Académie. In acknowledgment of the lead benefactors’ commitment to this mission, the second floor of the building will be dedicated to Myers, West & Mitchell as the first naming opportunity recognized as part of the campaign.