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Schools

Second graders Wyatt Hill, Zachary Choibekov and Hendricks Perez
    By
  • James Peter
  • August 10, 2023
Suncoast School for Innovative Studies welcomes students for new year

Principal Fayth Jenkins said the school located near downtown Sarasota is offering a number of new and enhanced programs to serve students.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ainsleigh Herbert, 5, Katie Herbert, and Anniston Herbert, 8
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 10, 2023
A new year begins at Southside Elementary School

The first day of school saw students led by their families into the start of a new year.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Dreamers Academy founder Geri Chaffee (center) cuts the ribbon at the Newtown campus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 9, 2023
Dreamers Academy holds ribbon-cutting for Newtown campus

The bilingual school’s new campus, located in Sarasota's Newtown, offers a dedicated space for learning.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Michelle Posey speaks in opposition to the budget.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 3, 2023
Sarasota Schools budget revises language on social-emotional learning

The tentative budget’s language was revised, with Superintendent Terry Connor and board attorney Patrick Duggan stating that the new language reflects the budget’s compliance with state law.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Superintendent Terry Connor talks with board member Robyn Marinelli.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 27, 2023
Sarasota School Board begins consideration of annual budget

A vote will take place on the tentative budget during a meeting on Aug. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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
Booker Middle gym teacher Kyle Mason said kids are more likely to want to wear their own clothes during class than when he was in school.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 21, 2023
Modern-day gym class focuses on getting kids moving

Gym teachers say they want their students to form a habit of being active.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cheryl Hughes is the Exceptional Student Education Gifted Coordinator while Nicole Cox heads Exceptional Student Education for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2023
Gifted student eligibility requires a complete package

IQ, motivation, leadership and more figured into the equation before moving a student into the gifted program.

  • East County
  • Schools
Members of the Riverview High School Mock Trial Club simulate a murder trial at the Sarasota Bar Association's 12th Judicial Circuit High School Mock Trial Competition.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 20, 2023
Extracurricular activities evolve to suit students' interests

With so many differing interests among students, faculty at Sarasota and Manatee county schools are rising to the challenge and introducing new clubs and activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
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Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
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City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
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Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
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'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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