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Schools

Jazmin Ortega, Alora Parcells and Suri Bui reminisce on their time at Braden River High School prior to the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park May 19.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2026
Braden River High grads know there is 'a lot to be discovered'

Four-hundred and twenty graduates receive diplomas and now will chase their dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2026
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Hundreds of former seniors walk the stage to accept their diplomas.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sophia Wiley makes her way down the row to shake hands after she receives her Lakewood Ranch High School diploma at Lecom Park May 18.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High graduates eager for what's ahead

LRHS graduation

  • East County
  • Schools
Daniel Sanchez, Christopher Schrum and Griffin Shay head onto the field.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 19, 2026
Another record graduation rate at Sarasota High School

Students headed to Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field to turn their tassels and toss their caps on May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Students toss their caps as the status of graduation is conferred.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 19, 2026
Riverview High School students take the next step

Graduates of Riverview High School filled Robarts Arena on May 16 to bid farewell to high school and welcome their continuing path.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Anesha Green (center) celebrates with her mother, Shemere Green, and father, Cedric Green.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 19, 2026
Booker High School celebrates hundreds of seniors

Families and students filled Robarts Arena on May 16 with a record graduation rate as students prepare for their next chapter.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines

School board members and school community members debate what the dress code should be and whether school uniforms are an option.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 13, 2026
East Manatee seniors prepare for final assignment: A graduation speech

The chosen speakers for the various Manatee County commencement ceremonies are eager to connect with their peers.

  • East County
  • Schools
School district demands repayment of tax fees
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees

The Sarasota County Commission votes to resume paying the tax collector's 2% commission fee and questions the fee itself.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up

The Students With Amazing Goals (SWAG) program at Alta Vista Elementary serves fourth and fifth graders, and soon middle school students, in goals that include career aspirations.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers

Currently, 136 teacher roles are unassigned in the district.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Caroline Bartlomiejczuk, Sage Alcorn and Sofia Ortega are members of the orchestra at Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 6, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High music department earns national recognition

The Best Communities for Music Education Award recognizes 127 schools across the country and Lakewood Ranch High is one.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School

The School District of Manatee County School Board voted unanimously on the school's name, which has been referred to as AAA High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Elisa Massaro, a senior and battalion commander of the Lakewood Ranch High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, is glad to have had the support of her teachers Richard Roller and William Cassidy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High JROTC program loses longtime leaders

Lt. Col. Richard Roller and Master Sgt. William Cassidy, who are retiring, say they prepare students for any career they choose.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns

The park, which will have three new youth baseball fields built, is a secondary pick up and drop off spot for students.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
The Lakewood Ranch Library will open an hour later starting Aug. 1 due to a hiring freeze that was implemented in February. Commissioner George Kruse says hours could be further reduced if the property tax referendum passes in November.
  • July 22, 2026
Property tax cuts will cause 'new normal' in Manatee County
2
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
  • July 22, 2026
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
3
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise
4
"Reflection-Venice, 1894," a photogravure print taken by Alfred Stieglitz, and Clarence Hudson White's photogravure print, "Edge of Woods-Evening, (1900)," were gifts of Warren J. and Margot Coville to The Ringling.
  • July 22, 2026
The Ringling goes back to black-and-white photography
5
A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key

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