• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota | Schools

The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary

The school, founded in 1926, hosted a celebration on with speeches and performances honoring its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The school district has partnered with University of South Florida in order to create the new offerings at Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 19, 2026
Brookside Middle School undergoes transformation to attract new students

The revamped Sarasota County school aims to bring innovative fields of study to students, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A rendering of a renovated and expanded former Perkins restaurant into Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy for the homebuilding industry.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 18, 2026
Homebuilder groups team up for apprenticeship school

A collaborative effort is launched to convert a former restaurant space into the Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy to address shortage in trades professionals.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
New College was founded in 1960.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 18, 2026
Potential New College takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus looms

A local group is fighting back against the move, with a former USF Sarasota-Manatee top official saying this would sacrifice one public school for another's dreams.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fourth grader Aโ€™Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown

The private school for elementary-aged children held a "snow day" along with help from the Sarasota Police Department's Sarasota Learning Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Second grader Sovereign Osceola experiences static electricity.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2026
Wilkinson Elementary makes concepts hands-on during STEAM Night

The school teamed up with Lamborghini Sarasota and Steel Supplements to host the annual event.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ryan Chase is principal of Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 29, 2026
What it takes to become principal of the year

Sarasota High's Ryan Chase explains the challenges and joys that come with the honor of being named the NASSP Florida High School Principal of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ava Donoghue is sophomore class president at Booker High School.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 28, 2026
Booker High School student breaks stigma and barriers with Booker Basics

The initiative by Sophomore Class President Ava Donoghue provides free feminine products in girls' bathrooms throughout the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2026
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy

The new policy specifies a three-day window for Sarasota County parents to send in an attendance note following an excused absence, while outlining clearly what counts as an excused absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ringling College names new president
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Mark Gordon
  • January 24, 2026
Ringling College names new president

Davis Schneiderman will be the globally known arts college's seventh president in 95 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The resolution sponsored by School Board chair Bridget 
Ziegler passed 3-2.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 21, 2026
Sarasota School Board reaffirms cooperation with ICE, other law enforcement

The resolution passes 3-2 over the objection of dozens of speakers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor speaks on the district's plans to maximize utilization.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 18, 2026
Details firm up for Sarasota schools plan

A K-8 and magnet school conversion begins next year at five Sarasota County campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Third graders Silas Swor and Misha Reus perform in "Button Up Your Overcoat," celebrating the 1930s.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2026
Student performances span the decades as Southside Elementary celebrates 100 years

The school has made an impact during its time, including advocating to make the orange the official state fruit.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Urban Meyer takes in the Cardinal Mooney High/Booker High preseason football game in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 9, 2026
Urban Meyer named to New College trustee board

The national championship-winning football coach was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis alongside two reappointed board members.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch might have to wait longer for Sarasota County Schools to build an elementary school there.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Sarasota County reevaluates need for new schools to serve Waterside

Jody Dumas, the executive director of facility services for Sarasota County Schools, said their two properties in Lakewood Ranch might sit empty for longer than anticipated.

  • East County
  • Schools
1 2 3 4 5 ยป
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 Sarasota

1
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
  • March 6, 2026
Sarasota OKs $1.5 million for golf tournament tourism promotion
2
Map shows the three areas of Sarasota's draft traffic calming plan.
  • March 5, 2026
City plans community meetings about draft traffic-calming plan
3
Pink Milkweed is a native, re-seeding plant, dormant in winter, that draws monarch and queen butterflies.
  • March 5, 2026
Test your knowledge of native plants
4
Lengthy search concludes for new Sarasota city manager
  • March 5, 2026
Lengthy search concludes for new Sarasota city manager
5
Coach Ty Bryant cuts down the net Feb. 27 after Booker girls basketball's FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship. The Tornadoes have now reached the state semifinals in four of six seasons under his direction.
  • March 5, 2026
Booker girls basketball rallies behind midseason turnaround

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 © 2026 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