• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Schools

Debra Otey starts as the new head of school at Out-of-Door Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2022
ODA welcomes new head of school

Debra Otey says she looks forward to her 30th year in education at ODA.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School received a B rating in the 2021-2022 school year. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 2, 2022
Bradenton's Freedom Elementary celebrates its 'A' performance

Braden River Middle School falls to a C grade while the district maintains its B rating.

  • East County
  • Schools
If elected, James Golden says literacy, employee compensation and continuity of education will be a focus of his. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: James Golden

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
If elected, Richard Tatem says he'll focus on employee compensation, curriculum transparency and increasing school board members' interaction with the public. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: Richard Tatem

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
If elected, Chantal Wilford says she'll focus on literacy, recruiting and retaining teachers and expanding programming for students. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
School Board of Manatee County, District 5: Chantal Wilford

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
The 20 acres for a new elementary school is about 1.25 miles east of Bourneside Boulevard and adjacent to the extension of 44th Avenue East in east Bradenton. (Courtesy map)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 1, 2022
Manatee School District reaches land deal with SMR Taylor Ranch for new school

The new elementary school will help address population growth in East County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students at schools like Carlos E. Haile Middle School will be tested three times per year to monitor their progress throughout the year. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 30, 2022
Changes coming to standardized testing in Sarasota and Manatee counties

With the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, students will be tested three times per year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River high senior JT Wright, junior Ty Moore, junior Jackie Sanchez and senior Liam Tvenstrup plan a bootcamp to bring Technology Student Association members together. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2022
High school survival tips from those who know

Current students offer tips on avoiding high school pitfalls.

  • East County
  • Schools
If parents prepare a base meal for the week in advance, they can throw in different sides each day to add variety, like carrots and celery stick with hummus, a container of yogurt, or strawberries. (Photo via Ello)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 29, 2022
Early preparation key in getting students to eat healthy

Here are some tips for low-stress meal preparation as your child heads to school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Scholarship Committee Chair Peggy Lammers with recipient Grace Lucas, recipient Samantha McLeod, Jeffrey Nunes and recipient Jessica Burdette (Photos by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 25, 2022
Longboat Island Chapel awards 10 scholarships to local students

The students each received $1,500 for tuition, boarding and books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Indigo's Donald Karn always has a smile on his face. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2022
Crossing guard safeguards Lakewood Ranch's most precious commodity: Children

Indigo's Donald Karn has been a crossing guard for three years and loves interacting with the students and parents.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kevin Young and MaryAnne Young with the New College Foundation are thrilled to receive a $159,000 grant from Adell Erozer, Robert Blalock and Burdette Parent with the Bishop Parker Foundation. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 21, 2022
Scholarship program sends more Manatee students to New College

Bishop Parker Foundations provides $159,000 for scholarships for Manatee County students headed for New College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seth Shamrock. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 19, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Seth Shamrock

The Lakewood Ranch High rising senior is rated by Kohl's Snapping as a four-star long snapper.

  • East County
  • Sports
Arizona College of Nursing students practice their skills in the simulation lab, which provides hands-on learning opportunities for students. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 17, 2022
Arizona College of Nursing to open campus in Manatee in August

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will be among regional hospitals to benefit from new college of nursing.

  • East County
  • Schools
Work continues on the cafeteria and multipurpose room of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2022
Construction on charter school's first phase nears completion

With an Aug. 10 opening day approaching, construction crews have the coming Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy on schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School graduates Fiorella Recchioni and Sara Diaz and rising senior Nico Curci place second in fashion design and technology for their version of a theme park uniform. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 11, 2022
Braden River High claims national TSA title

Three division titles lead Braden River High to national TSA team championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
Toquya Jones and Margaret Laughlin, food service workers at Braden River High, prepare lunch for students. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2022
Free lunches no longer an option for most Lakewood Ranch students

Most East County schools will require parents to apply for free lunches based on need.

  • East County
  • Schools
Valerie Viands, the director of Manatee Technical College, hands Sarasota's Jasmine Redding her diploma. Redding has a job with Nurse Core and plans to work part time for HCA Florida Blake Hospital or First Physicians Group.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Manatee Technical College fast-tracks grads into the workforce in Bradenton and Sarasota region

Many Manatee Technical College students secured a job before they even graduate.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 28, 2022
Manatee School District considers how to use vacant land to address growth

The district has three parcels totaling 186 acres in the Lakewood Ranch area on which to build new schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jennifer Santora, a former third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem. Teachers will go through trainings to learn more ways of supporting students. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 22, 2022
Manatee School District implements new project to improve school climate

Thirty-three percent of students surveyed say the actions of fellow students hurt their performance, so the school district hopes Project Spark leads to better learning environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
The administration area of the school has been reconfigured to have a single point of entry. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2022
Braden River Middle renovations near completion

The School District of Manatee County takes advantage of summer months to continue renovations, which include a newly configured administration area and a cafeteria expansion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sheila Waid feels like she's returning home as the new principal at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. Waid served as a student support specialist at McNeal Elementary from 2015 to 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 14, 2022
East Bradenton educator returns to McNeal Elementary as principal

Sheila Waid lands her first principal role after three decades in education.

  • East County
  • Schools
An Aviation Maintenance Technician School is coming to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 8, 2022
Aviation maintenance school coming to SRQ

Manatee Technical partners with Suncoast Technical to provide training at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl McGrew, who has retired as the principal of McNeal Elementary School, was integral to starting STEM labs in elementary schools throughout the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 7, 2022
McNeal Elementary principal retires after 34 years in education

River Club's Cheryl McGrew has enjoyed seeing her visions for education become reality for students in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 6, 2022
Little ranchers bond through agriculture lessons in Lakewood Ranch

Little Ranchers gives students opportunities to learn about animals, plants and the environment while building friendships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parrish Community High School already is in need of an addition only three years after opening. The school is about 300 students shy of reaching capacity. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 5, 2022
Population explosion forces expansion of Parrish Community High earlier than expected

Parrish Community High School, which draws East County students, gets $15 million addition ahead of schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
ODA seniors Aaliyaa Genat and Anthony Gaukhman make hearts with their hands as they enjoy their graduation ceremony.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2022
Out of Door Academy graduates celebrate on the Lakewood Ranch campus

ODA seniors already looking forward to their future college life.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Melodie Marchena and her husband, Sanddy Marchena, are excited to make an impact on children as the new owners of Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2022
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch undergoes new ownership

Lakewood Ranch's Melodie and Sanddy Marchena are ready to make impact at Kiddie Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robert E. Willis Elementary School's Ellie Gehndyu, a kindergartner, enjoys her first father-daughter dance with her father, Janjay Gehndyu. Dances, like the father-daughter dance, were able to return after two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2022
Manatee schools pull away from pandemic

Live events return at the end of the school year, and hopes are high that the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freshman Allan Tran and junior Dylan Jackson set up a drone. They passed a safety course that brings them one step closer to driving drones commercially.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2022
Braden River High School's drone program takes off

Braden River High students pass a drone safety course that brings them closer to flying commercially.

  • East County
  • Schools
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals at various Lakewood Ranch-area locations. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 1, 2022
Free 2022 summer meals for Manatee County students

Students can go to multiple east Bradenton locations to receive meals.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth grader Jude Arbanis as Darth Maul fights against fifth grader Keagan Terry, who is playing the Mandalorian. The boys are big "Star Wars" fans.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch fifth graders show off their talents

McNeal Elementary School students perform in annual fifth grade talent show.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 25, 2022
Tara Elementary fifth graders take on staff in annual kickball game

The teachers and staff at Tara Elementary went on to win 11-8 against the fifth grade class.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ziana Flores performs inside the Globe of Death.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 23, 2022
Myakka City Elementary students rewarded with thrill show

Stunt group The Fearless Flores performed at the school as a reward to students who had met at least 75% of their academic goals.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School students speak with Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, about the need for donations and hunger statistics in Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High students raise $2,500 to feed the hungry

LRHS ceramics students provided funds to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee that will pay for 2,500 meals to area families.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2022
Braden River High graduates shine in many ways at graduation

Stoles, medals and cords show graduates' accomplishments in ceremony at LECOM Park.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now