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East County | Schools

Ricardo Acevedo, a college and career counselor, addresses seniors who received a $10,000 scholarship. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 2, 2022
Nine Lakewood Ranch students get a boost with $10,000 scholarships

Picerne Family Foundation presents grants to Lakewood Ranch High School seniors.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Jacob and Grace Lopez will be part of the inaugural class at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2022
Families excited about new opportunities at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy

The K-12 charter school, which opens in August, already has a waitlist for every grade it offers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School junior Abby Newton plays in unison with others in the Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 29, 2022
Manatee Arts Education Council hosts Arts Alive in Lakewood Ranch

Arts Alive showcases students' talent at Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samantha Sokolis, an Advanced Manufacturing student, adjusts a robot. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 24, 2022
MTC receives state funding to fast-track students into the workforce

Manatee Technical College will continue its rapid credentialing project that places graduates into high-demand jobs.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kinley McCaw, a sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, studies the phenotype of fruit flies to see the dominant and recessive genes. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 23, 2022
East Bradenton students qualify for state Science and Engineering Fair

Mona Jain, Nolan and Braden River middle school students create experiments that lead to the state fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Melanie Stern, a director of human resources for logistics for Bealls, shares information about herself to show the importance of first impressions.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 15, 2022
Project TEACH teaches east Bradenton fourth graders to dream big

Freedom Elementary students learn about new careers and think about their futures during Project TEACH.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, reaches a settlement agreement with the Education Practices Commission. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 11, 2022
Manatee schools superintendent settles with Education Practices Commission

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders is fined for alleged graduation rate inflation scandal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Izzy Tapia, a cosmetology student at Manatee Technical College, loves seeing people's reactions when she's done working on their hair or makeup.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 7, 2022
Manatee Technical College students advance to SkillsUSA state competition

MTC cosmetology students among medal winners in SkillsUSA competition in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 4, 2022
Myakka City Elementary School hosts Literacy Night

Myakka City Elementary students have fun participating in various reading activities at Literacy Night.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth graders Finley Hendricks, Alisa Sabodash, Noah Johnson and Danica Hall are excited to compete at the VEX Robotics World Competition after placing fourth at the regional competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 2, 2022
Lakewood Ranch elementary robotics team advances to world competition

Robert E. Willis Elementary fifth graders of Lakewood Ranch secure a spot at the VEX Robotics World Competition in May.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's B. D. Gullett Elementary hosts annual walkathon

B.D. Gullett Elementary School students have fun running in the walkathon and sliming the principal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Stokely Browne, a fourth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, talks to Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations for the School District of Manatee County, about becoming a neurosurgeon. File photo
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 22, 2022
Manatee chamber and school district partner for Project TEACH

School District of Manatee County fourth graders learn the importance of first impressions while exploring different careers.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 21, 2022
Manatee School Board plans to sell property in east Bradenton

The school district sells 17-acres to offset the cost of 30-acres in Parrish for a new middle school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Allen Dickson, a bus driver for the School District of Manatee County, says being a bus driver gives him a purpose and allows him to give back to the community.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2022
Manatee School District works to address bus driver shortage

Bus driver shortage causes challenges for Manatee County schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, congratulates Kari Keech-Babcock, a guidance clerk at Lakewood Ranch High School, for winning the district's Support Employee of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 16, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High guidance clerk named School District of Manatee County's Support Employee of the Year

Lakewood Ranch High School's Kari Keech-Babcock named Support Employee of the Year for her positive attitude, hard work and dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
Congressman Vern Buchanan nominates Brett Brustad, a Braden River High School senior in JROTC, to either the U.S. Air Force Academy or U.S. Naval Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2022
Braden River High senior nominated to military academies by Rep. Vern Buchanan

Rep. Vern Buchanan nominates a Braden River High senior to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2022
Willis Elementary fathers and daughters have a magical night in Lakewood Ranch

Enchanted Ball in Lakewood Ranch provides magical moments for fathers and daughters.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Heather Manley, the co-founder of World of Wonder Academy, engages with children during story time.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 11, 2022
World of Wonder Academy provides home-school enrichment

The new academy in Lakewood Ranch supplements home-school education.

  • East County
  • Schools
Khushi Talluru, a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High School, can't wait to learn from medical workshops and screenwriting workshops at Disney Dreamers Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High student accepted in Disney Dreamers Academy

Khushi Talluru, a freshman, will pursue her dream of becoming a doctor with the help of Disney Dreamers Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Trenton Huffman, a student at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, works on a tablet while sitting at one of the tables in the media center.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 4, 2022
Manatee modernizes school media centers

The School District of Manatee County is well into a library transformation project in all its schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Junior John Sirignano says caring for his sock baby, Oswald, has made him excited to become a real parent in the future. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2022
High schoolers learn parental lessons by caring for sock babies

With sock baby assignment, Lakewood Ranch High students learn while walking in parents' shoes.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although it won't look exactly the same, Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's learning villages will look similar to this kindergarten through third grade model. (Rendering courtesy of Charter Schools USA)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Prep will take different approach on education, principals say

The new Lakewood Ranch K-12 charter school's WISH model focuses on wellness, innovation, science and health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students pay attention as Jennifer Dowling, a math teacher, finishes a lesson in her new classroom. The classroom is a part of the six-classroom addition that was completed in November. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 2, 2022
Renovations almost complete at Braden River Middle

BRMS teachers are thrilled with the $26 million addition and renovations project.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kindergartener Eliana Gabriel sings and counts numbers in Spanish.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 27, 2022
Braden River Elementary dual-language programs sees success in first year in east Bradenton

The dual-language program has been successful at Braden River Elementary in east Bradenton area.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is expected to be built by mid-July to allow time for teachers and staff to move in and prepare for the first day of school in August. Rendering courtesy of Red Apple Development.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 27, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy projected to be built by mid-July

Red Apple Development and Ryan Cos. speed forward to meet July deadline for the new Lakewood Ranch charter school.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County is considering the addition of electric buses to its fleet of regular buses, such as this one.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2022
Manatee School District plans to test electric buses late this year.

The School District of Manatee County will purchase 3-5 electric buses if the program is approved by the board this spring.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maureen Geary, a third grade teacher at Myakka City Elementary School, teachers a vocabulary lesson to Katherine Millan-Pureco and America Carranza-Vazquez. Schools have changed COVID-19 protocols. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 20, 2022
School District of Manatee County updates its quarantine protocols

School District of Manatee County is dealing with more positive COVID-19 cases.

  • East County
  • Schools
The new addition will connect to Building 5, which will allow for a new courtyard to be created for students to gather. Rendering courtesy of Hepner Architects and the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High addition back on track for 2023

The School Board of Manatee County is viewing designs for the addition at Lakewood Ranch High School, with construction expected to begin in May.

  • East County
  • Schools
Layla Lockhart, a fourth grader at Myakka City Elementary School, holds her chicken, Rocket, so the chicken can get accustomed to being held.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 7, 2022
Myakka City Elementary students prepare to show at the Manatee County Fair

Future Farmers of America and 4-H students will show animals and plants at the fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventh grader Alex Berndt and eighth grader Ryan Beck chose to make natural jewelry for their iInnovate Day project.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 6, 2022
ODA students explore their passions through day of innovation in Lakewood Ranch

Middle school students get a chance to create their own products at iInnovate Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School students will have new classrooms when an addition is built on the campus. The addition will have 10 classrooms, adding 220 student stations. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 27, 2021
East Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch area schools prepare for population growth

School District of Manatee County, private and speciality schools plan expansions and new schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Santa collected the mail and headed toward the Lakewood Ranch area.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 24, 2021
Dear Santa, don't forget Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area

Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area students send their Christmas wishes to Santa.

  • East County
  • Schools
Declan Hudson, an All-American cheerleader from Braden River High School, is thrilled to visit Hawaii for the first time to honor veterans. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2021
Braden River High cheerleader performs in 80th anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade

After being named an All-American Cheerleader, Declan Hudson participated in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy will be located on White Eagle Boulevard near Rangeland Parkway.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 16, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy finds a home

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, a future K-12 charter school, will be located on White Eagle Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kari Keech-Babcock, a guidance clerk at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named a finalist for School District of Manatee County's Support Employee of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School guidance clerk finalist for Support Employee of the Year

After unusual introduction to Lakewood Ranch High, Kari Keech-Babcock provides sweet service to school's community.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fiorella Recchioni and Sarah Douglas, seniors at Braden River High School, start wrapping shoe boxes that will be put in classrooms as donation boxes.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2021
Braden River High School takes on Operation Santa in Lakewood Ranch

Several Braden River High clubs and organizations are working to help families in need through Operation Santa.

  • East County
  • Schools
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