Sarasota Military Academy seeks charter approval for middle school

Sarasota Military Academy Headmaster and co-founder Dan Kennedy made his vision of opening a military high school a reality in 2002. Now, he is trying to open Sarasota Military Academy Prep, a military-based middle school that would prepare students for SMA.

“I came up with the concept in the late-’90s, when I was principal of Sarasota High School — to have a middle school that would feed into the high school, so we can prepare students for the high-school experience, which would include ranks, marching, public speaking, etc.,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy’s first order of business was finding a location for the proposed middle school, which would have approximately 450 students and would be roughly 45,000 square feet. Kennedy consulted Fred Starling, a builder who added the new addition to SMA this summer, who proposed a location on Bethel and Fruitville roads.

Kennedy and a team of six Sarasota Military Academy staff then spent a month completing the extensive charter application, which they submitted to the Sarasota County School District at the end of July.

Kennedy expects to hear from the Sarasota County School District in mid-September. His team will have a month to make changes and resubmit the application. The Sarasota County School District will make a decision by December, and, if Sarasota Military Academy Prep is approved, it will open in August 2014.

“The district takes it very seriously and does a very thorough job, because I know they want the best education possible for the students,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy has already received about 150 phone calls from families inquiring about the school. If approved, Sarasota Military Academy Prep will have the International Baccalaureate program and specialized classes, including equestrian, firearm safety, forensics, human medicine and martial arts. Kennedy will develop a curriculum that focuses on students’ academic weaknesses so they enter high school prepared. Students will wear polo shirts that will indicate their ranks.

“Clearly defined parameters lead to improved academic performance,” Kennedy said. “You can concentrate on what you are learning and not be distracted.”