- December 4, 2025
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As a town with features from circus roots, to an upcoming science education aquarium, Sarasota offers educational opportunities that go beyond the ordinary.
Here are some of the unusual school courses in Sarasota that students can take advantage of.
The original circus program at Sarasota High School began within the school in 1949.
According to Lead Magnet Teacher Dakota Carrera, because of Sarasota's deep roots in the circus, the school decided to tailor its offerings to the children of circus performers in the area.
"They didn't play football or baseball, they were circus kids," Carrera said.
Today, the Circus Arts Conservatory's Circus Magnet Program serves both Sarasota High School and Booker Middle School.
It is the only program anywhere in the county integrating the circus arts into the school system, according to Bryan Burnstein, the organization's vice president of program development and youth performance management.
It also offers a variety of classes and opportunities outside the school system.
"When I tell my friends from other states that I do circus, they're all like, 'Wait, what do you mean?" said Piper Fancher, who is now a ninth grader at Booker High School. "And the next thing is they all think it's really interesting, because they're all learning the normal stuff, like either art or music, but then here, I'm going to a circus arena and training acts. They all think it's really cool."
"She's living art, performing to music," Carrera elaborated.
Fancher said there is something for everyone, whether people are stronger when it comes to climbing, juggling, or doing flips in the air.
Burnstein also notes this year, programs are expanding.
This year will be the first time that the high school program offers two pathways, with opportunities for students who want to perform as well as another for those who simply want to train in the skills.
Meanwhile, the middle school program is doubling in size.
Ella Abrahamson, now a sophomore at Booker High School, said what keeps students returning is the "great environment" and the people.
"The coaches keep pushing you to try your hardest," she said. "They don't just give up and they're like, 'Okay, well, that's what you can do, so that's what you're gonna do.' They're like, okay, well, if this is what you can do, then let's try to do something else, do a little add on... and before you know it, you just have something that you're so proud of."
The programs set expectations of students, including a 3.0 GPA and volunteering 50 hours a year with the Circus Arts Conservatory.
Instructors say whether students are looking to take the circus in a professional direction, students will take away interpersonal skills and confidence, helping them in any arena.
"It's a great place for you to learn to be in the shows and how it feels to be on stage, and work with these coaches that have been doing this professionally for so many years," said Ava Weller, a junior at Sarasota High School.
Sebastian Bruno, a junior at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, had grown tired of the pressure of sports and was looking for something to fill the void.
He decided to join the school's Cougar Network, which launched in late 2024 and gives students hands-on experience in TV production and announcing.
"I still love sports, it's more just like the pressure that comes with the actual game. I didn't find it fun anymore, and I'd rather just analyze other people playing the game," he said. "I'm still connecting with the sport, but I'm not under that amount of pressure."
Nonetheless, do not underestimate the educational opportunities at the Cougar Network, which broadcasts not only the sports games of the Cardinal Mooney Cougars, but also activities including concerts, ceremonies, graduations and the school's morning announcements.
"We try to make it look as close to a professional ESPN-level broadcast as we can, with multiple cameras, full graphics, replay," said instructor Ryan Krause. "I can't really think of any other schools who are doing it quite to that caliber that we're doing it at."
Some features of the program include a full control room, a TV studio with a green screen, and abilities like video graphics and instant replay. Students will learn skills like operating a camera, techniques of filming, lighting, how to direct and how to set up equipment.
"I loved it so far, definitely, and I'm doing it next year as well," Bruno said.
Krause said he brought the idea to the school's principal, Ben Hopper, who provided the funds for the program, amid its growth in sports.
"We've got a lot of big sports teams that are going pretty far and doing really well, but we were lacking kind of an elective program that kids could take in the art-slash-tech field," Krause said.
The program provides different capacities for students to work in. Erin Sugg, a junior, participates behind the scenes from the camera.
"I always watch the games back to see what we can improve on," she said. "I'm always like, that wasn't a very good shot, and just trying to learn from our mistakes, and seeing how we can make it smoother next time."
Students who are on air delve into the research side of broadcasting, and learn what goes into being able to talk about a topic for hours.
"When I first get behind the mic, it's shaky, like I'm a little nervous, but by the time the game gets underway, everything's flowing, you just feel comfortable," Bruno said. "And especially me. I'm a sports guy. I know a lot about sports, so it's pretty easy just to do it. Just talk about what you know."
Krause said the opportunities are growing, with plans underway to merge with the school newspaper for a one-stop shop for communications.
Education is an important aspect of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, notes Kathryn Gentile, a communications coordinator at the aquarium.
That's true when it comes to homeschool students as well, with Mote's homeschool programs offering a chance for students to gain hands-on experience in the realm of marine biology.
"When I was little, I actually did want to become a marine biologist," said 13-year-old Ariel Rischer. "And Mote has really helped me find a passion for it."
Mote offers homeschool days for age groups from 6 to 14.
The aquarium also offers the Mote Homeschool Advanced Program from age groups from 9 to 16, which allows students with a strong interest in marine science to meet once a month, collaborating on STEAM-based projects.
Starting in the fall, both offerings will take place at both Mote's City Island campus and its new aquarium, Mote SEA, near the UTC mall, allowing activities in the water and at the aquarium.
"It’s kind of like a way to get better outreach, to meet more people and kind of push us out into more social environments, so we get better at public speaking, speaking to new people and overall just presenting our ideas and topics to the public," said Isabelle Gunderson, a junior in the Mote Homeschool Advanced Program.
Gunderson said the program has encouraged her steps toward the future, and she has always been interested in STEM as well.
She said she will probably go into a robotics engineering field, and might dabble in marine robotics.
Mackenzie Hall, a senior in the program who worked with Gunderson on their "Manager Mangrove" project, said in creating the project, they wanted to tackle trash, something that affects mangroves significantly.
She said it was an opportunity to demonstrate a topic that they cared about to the public.
"I have always been interested in marine life and marine biology. I don’t have a specific ‘thing’ yet, I just love the ocean and everything in it. But yes, this has been on my pathway for a very long time," Hall said.
Gentile notes the Mote SEA facility largely focuses on education.
Set to open at Nathan Benderson Park in 2025, it will feature teaching labs where local students can learn about marine science for free, and will partner with local public schools as well.
"It’s really helping thousands, tens of thousands of students within an hour radius, get access to marine science," she said.
