Founder and Head of Schools, Avant Schools
Florida

Principal Julie Ravenell, M.S. is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Science (1992). She later earned her Master of Science in School Guidance and Counseling from Nova Southeastern University in 2000. She received certification in Educational Leadership from the Florida Department of Education in 2019. Mrs. Ravenell began her career with Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a teacher and school guidance counselor before transitioning into educational entrepreneurship. In 2005, she opened her first child care center, which quickly reached full capacity and maintained it throughout her ownership. Under her leadership, the center earned Apple Accreditation for excellence in early childhood education, and she later expanded to open two additional high-quality preschools in Homestead and Florida City.

Driven by strong community demand, Mrs. Ravenell founded Avant School of Excellence in 2014, growing enrollment from 42 students to over 300 scholars through a reputation for academic excellence and strong family trust. She has successfully led both campuses through the highly regarded Cognia accreditation process, with the Florida City campus accredited for nearly 10 years. In 2023, she expanded her vision by opening the Avant School of Excellence–Tallahassee Campus. Since its founding, enrollment has increased each year, reaching over 225 scholars by its third year (2025–2026 school year). The Tallahassee campus is currently a Cognia accreditation candidate and is awaiting commission review in June 2026, further extending Mrs. Ravenell’s legacy of serving communities with honor, dedication, and excellence.

Mrs. Ravenell embodies the McLeod Society Fellowship’s belief in the power of transformative leadership to create educational environments where children are valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.