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Schools

Connie Dixon, Carol Ricks, Sheila Waid and Natalie Jadid are among the principals in East County who are eager to start the 2026-2027 school year on the right foot.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 4, 2026
Manatee principals, teacher of the year eager to begin new school year

Students return to school Monday, August 10 for the School District of Manatee County 2026-2027 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Post Commander Dave Daily and Michael Massmann, the senior army instructor at Braden River High School, are glad the students have veterans to inspire them to be patriotic members of the community.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 3, 2026
VFW Braden River Post 12055 works to inspire future generations

Through scholarships, essay contests, volunteer opportunities and more, members of the local VFW are glad to serve students and their community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sharon Jefferson, a homegrown Manatee student and 27-year educator, wants to be the voice of District 2 for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 28, 2026
Longtime teacher wants to be the voice of her fellow instructors in District 2

Sharon Jefferson, who grew up attending Manatee schools and has taught within them for 27 years, wants to do more than she can within a classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Associate Superintendent Kevin Chapman said the School District of Manatee County is eager to expand their performing arts footprint through a top quality auditorium at the new Rangeland High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 27, 2026
School district considers opening Rangeland High auditorium for public use

Several regional nonprofits have voiced interest in making use of the planned facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus has steadily grown over the past 20 years on Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 21, 2026
USF names new Sarasota-Manatee leader for New College transition

Students enrolled as of July 1 will continue their studies on the local campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mike Mullen, the new principal of Lakewood Ranch High School, is ready to take on the role he applied for in 2019.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 19, 2026
Educator returns to area as principal of Lakewood Ranch High

Mike Mullen, who has served as principal at Martha B. King Middle School for the past four years, is eager to return to the school where he previously served as assistant principal.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County Bus Attendant Rolando Giz and Bus Driver Richard Dymond said community members need to be more mindful of passing buses, especially when the stop sign is out, as it puts the students at risk on busy roads.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Impressive team effort gets the students to school safely each day

While drivers and bus attendants are crucial, there are many more workers behind the scenes for Manatee schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakeview Elementary first graders Emory Snyder, Lenny Collazo-Leon and Cullan Peacock watch in excitement to see whether items float or sink in the Ocean Technology Lab at Mote Sea May 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Mote aquarium produces a wave of impact on Manatee, Sarasota students

Mote SEA has hosted over 290 field trips working with 16,500 students since opening in October 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kevin Chapman, the associate superintendent of administration and Todd Richardson, principal of Lake Manatee K-8, welcomed students to the new school for the first time in August 2025.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Local parents have choices to make when a new school opens

Lake Manatee K-8 is open for business, and Rangeland High School is set to open fall of 2027 for Lakewood Ranch-area families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dustin Dahlquist, who has taught in a variety of roles in Manatee County including a classroom teacher, athletic director, principal and more, is the founding principal of Rangeland High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Support starts at the top for new Rangeland High School

Dustin Dahlquist, who has served as principal for Lakewood Ranch High School for seven years, is preparing to lead as the founding principal of Rangeland High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
The construction of Rangeland High School is underway in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2026
Manatee school district's construction efforts peak in the summer

Three East Manatee schools are under construction this summer.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brookside Middle School sign with updated social media handles to @GulfCoastAcademySCS.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2026
Future plans for Sarasota County schools are underway

A broad swath of proposals to reinvent campuses begins to take shape this academic year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Teacher Erin Foss reads at a table that includes second grader Landry Shorb, Alison Rini visits and third grader Adonis Harris at Star Lab.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Microschools reach Sarasota as they grow throughout the state of Florida

These small, schoolhouse-style schools emphasize nontraditional educational methods.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Administrators and teachers say reading to students in the summer is important so they don't fall backward.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Administrators, teachers offer tips on navigating the world of testing

Here are some major assessments students must complete during their academic career.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

Here are some questions from the Florida Standards science and math sample exams to test your knowledge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

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Business owners have complained of empty streets since the city's now-suspended parking enforcement hours extension went into effect.
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2
Longboat Key’s most recent beach renourishment project occurred in 2021, with the next round of sand-placing scheduled in 2028.
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The best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat
4
Connie Dixon, Carol Ricks, Sheila Waid and Natalie Jadid are among the principals in East County who are eager to start the 2026-2027 school year on the right foot.
  • August 4, 2026
Manatee principals, teacher of the year eager to begin new school year
5
Jeremy Keller has started Prestige Auto Experiences in Lakewood Ranch with the idea that many potential club members would love to get behind the wheel of a classic or exotic car.
  • August 4, 2026
Country club for car enthusiasts to open in Lakewood Ranch

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