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East County | Schools

Myakka City Elementary School kindergartners Alexandre Arciniega-Aquino, Madalyn Meza-Pureco, Matthew Diaz-Alvarado, Valeria Luis-Martinez and Rosendo Najera love the crochet dolls they received at the Migrant Tea.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 21, 2023
Church Women United provides support to migrant families

The annual Migrant Tea brightens the holiday season by providing quilts, school supplies and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kailee Looman and Andrea Evans, LPN students at Manatee Technical College, practice taking each other’s blood pressure.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 16, 2023
Local colleges combat Florida's nursing shortage

Nurses are a critical part of our health care system. But studies show there will be a significant shortage of nurses in Florida by 2035. Here’s how some regional schools are addressing it.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Braden River High Marching Band of Pirates finished fifth at the Florida Marching Band Championships on Nov. 11.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2023
Parrish, Braden River High marching bands place high at state championships

Pride of Parrish Marching Band finished third while Marching Band of Pirates earned the fifth-place trophy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Heidi Stenberg, Caymen Corscadden and Calli Phillips, seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School, are ready to take on the Big Bank Theory to see if they can balance the budget of their fictional lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2023
Financial literacy program gives Manatee students look at real world

Manatee Chamber of Commerce offers high school seniors an exercise in balancing a budget with the Big Bank Theory program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Can you match the character pumpkin to the book title?
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 8, 2023
Can you match the character pumpkin to the book title?

McNeal Elementary first graders decorate pumpkins to look like characters from fictional books.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Fevrier, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, can't wait to show her artwork for the first time at the Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe Art and Craft Show and Sale.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 30, 2023
Local students to display artwork at Manatee River Artists Guild show

Freedom Elementary and Haile Middle students will present their work in the annual art show for the first time.

  • East County
  • Schools
The new K-8 school will have a two-story elementary building, a one-story middle school building and a capacity of approximately 1,620 students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 27, 2023
Design unveiled for new K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch

The Manatee County school will include a two-story elementary building, a one-story middle school building and agriculture facilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Justice Thornton, a Manatee Technical College baking and pastry arts student, slices kiwis and strawberries.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2023
MTC students prepare for Suncoast Food and Wine Fest

Baking and pastry arts students get a real-world experience baking desserts for a Lakewood Ranch staple event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy freshman Daniel Valderrama has built a bond with second grader Vladimir Bruges.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 22, 2023
East County school buddies share important lessons

The partnerships have proven valuable in learning lessons about responsibility and communication.

  • East County
  • Schools
Waterlefe's Glenda Myers works with Ballard Elementary kindergartner Kemora Wallace once per week through the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Rotary kicks off ninth year of Books for Kids program

The Books for Kids Kindergarten program, which helps students discover a love for reading and increases reading scores, is expanding into more Manatee and Sarasota County classrooms this school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Andrew Boudreau and Tyler Patten give it their all during a performance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2023
Manatee County high school marching bands gear up for state competition

The Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish bands are concentrated on growth in hopes of earning a medal at the top level.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ellenton's Barbara Bostrom, the niece of Gilbert McNeal, Lakewood Ranch's Jessica Chmielarski, the granddaughter of McNeal, and Dylan and Michael Chmielarski, the great-grandsons of McNeal, celebrate his legacy at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's 20th anniversary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
McNeal Elementary School celebrates 20th anniversary

Teachers, students and administrators, past and present, celebrate 20 years of learning and making memories.

  • East County
  • Schools
Molly Garrett and Thea Pham sing "A Distant Shore." They are among 55 students in Haile Middle School's new choir program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 12, 2023
Haile Middle School in east Bradenton begins new choir program

Students are preparing for their first concert in December.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Out-of-Door Academy is opening a third campus, which will be a lower school located on Clark Road in Sarasota.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2023
The Out-of-Door Academy to open third campus in Sarasota

The Out-of-Door Academy lower school on Clark Road will open in August 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Clayton Reagan, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, looks at the way a pig walks, its bone structure and whether the pig has a drop in its belly before selecting a pig to show at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2023
What makes a perfect show pig for the Manatee County Fair?

East Bradenton students and FFA advisors talk about the qualities they seek in a show pig.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School eighth grader Anthony Mundo participates in a hands-on Woz Ed lesson on density.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2023
Career-ready curriculum expands in Manatee County School District

All eighth graders will use Woz Ed kits to engage in hands-on lessons.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sixth grader Ethan Burnstein loves how colorful the sixth grade peace themed golf cart is for the homecoming parade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 30, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy celebrates with school's first homecoming parade

Students, staff and alumni of the Lakewood Ranch school decorated 10 golf carts for the parade.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gabriel Cortes, or in this case Kristoff, sings alongside his reindeer friend, Sven, while singing "Lost in the Woods."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2023
Braden River High spreads magic through cabaret show

Students performed classic songs as families sang along.

  • East County
  • Schools
John Kenyon, or "Gator John," who is an educational outreach programmer, tries to calm students as they scream over the carpet python he's holding.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 19, 2023
Braden River Elementary brings the Everglades to school

Students learn about the Everglades as the school works to become an Everglades Championship School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Expanding Lakewood Ranch Prep offers more opportunities

With the upper school building complete, school staff members say the sky is the limit for extracurriculars.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Ryan Donnelly and Lucas Anthony cheer their loudest as the football team gains a first down.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch student sections stage cheering rivalry

When it comes to supporting their schools, the Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high school student sections never back down.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dave Springer will not only be taking on the new role of theater director at Lakewood Ranch High School but also a role in the Manatee Performing Arts Center's "Song for a New World."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes new theater director

Dave Springer will perform in Manatee Performing Arts Center's "Songs for a New World" as he starts teaching at Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2023
Willis Elementary hosts first Games with Grandparents in Lakewood Ranch

Grandparents enjoyed meeting their grandchildren's teachers and friends while playing games.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By State College of Florida Coding Academy
  • September 8, 2023
Give Your Child a High Tech Advantage

The State College of Florida Coding Academy gives local youth a hightech advantage through pre-college workshops, after-school enrichment programs, youth competitions, and micro-credential classes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
East County's Charles and Elaine Johnston evacuate to Freedom Elementary School due to concerns of storm surge at their home during Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2023
Manatee County schools prepared for the next storm

Hurricane Idalia served as test run for residents and schools that become shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kylee Davis, an eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, diligently works on a pre-AP World History and Geography assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Manatee County middle schools add pre-AP classes

The pre-Advanced Placement classes prepare students for more rigorous courses in high school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Janjay Gehndyu says his education at Lakewood Ranch High School paved the way for his success in life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Principal is proof that caring teachers can alter a student's path in life

Once a "troubled" child, Panther Ridge's Janjay Gehndyu leads Visible Men Academy in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brian Lee is looking forward to incorporating his 30 years of manufacturing experience into his classroom during his first year of teaching.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2023
Engineering teacher to use lessons from Lindt chocolate factory in class

Brian Lee, who spent 30 years in manufacturing, wants to use real life examples in his Carlos E. Haile engineering class.

  • East County
  • Schools
Creative Contractors Inc. and Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors is working with the School District of Manatee County to renovate Tara Elementary School and construct an addition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2023
Construction continues at East County schools with students on campus

Tara Elementary and Haile Middle are undergoing campus-wide renovations and additions.

  • East County
  • Schools
Luke Langan, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says another goodbye to his father, Sean Langan.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2023
Students across Manatee County head back to school

The new school year brings new beginnings for teachers, students and their families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Averleigh Cross can't wait to start kindergarten at Freedom Elementary School. She's looking forward to learning how to read better.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2023
First day of kindergarten can be emotional time for parents

Parents often have a hard time deciding whether to cry or celebrate as they drop off their kindergartner on the first day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarah Orcutt, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, loves the book nook she's created in her new classroom. She says the new addition is a fresh start.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2023
Freedom Elementary teachers move into school's new addition

Teachers in the eight new classrooms begin decorating with a blank slate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee Technical College career counselors Nancy Beltran, Cecilia Navarrete, Rafaela Carrillo Casique and Gwen Smith-Warzyk and case manager Linda Silva can't wait for the adult education building to be constructed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 2, 2023
MTC plans main campus expansion

Designs are being finalized for a building to house adult education programs on Manatee Technical College's Bradenton campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School welcomes John Wilkerson as its new director of bands.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes new director of bands

John Wilkerson wants to focus on the little things as he works with his students.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2023
Back-to-school sales tax holiday continues through Aug. 6

During the holiday, purchases of school essentials are exempt from sales taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Holly Ye recently completed a software engineering bootcamp through the State College of Florida Coding Academy. She is an educator transitioning to a career as a fullstack web developer.
    By
  • James Peter
  • July 21, 2023
The road to higher education for Sarasota and Manatee students has changed

Students face more competitive college admissions, shifting career pathways and increased expectations from employers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
2
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
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3
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
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Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
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Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
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