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Schools

Braden River High School graduates Fiorella Recchioni and Sara Diaz and rising senior Nico Curci place second in fashion design and technology for their version of a theme park uniform. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 11, 2022
Braden River High claims national TSA title

Three division titles lead Braden River High to national TSA team championship.

  • East County
  • Schools
Toquya Jones and Margaret Laughlin, food service workers at Braden River High, prepare lunch for students. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2022
Free lunches no longer an option for most Lakewood Ranch students

Most East County schools will require parents to apply for free lunches based on need.

  • East County
  • Schools
Superintendent Brennan Asplen congratulates a Sarasota High graduate during ceremonies in May.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 6, 2022
Pay hike aims to solidify hiring, retention

School district's lowest-paid employees will begin school year at $15 an hour.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
All the back to school planning culminates on the first day of classes, which this school year is scheduled for Aug. 10. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2022
The most wonderful time of the year

Back to school season often comes just in time for parents, but it can be fraught with chores, lists and bigger-picture reflection.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Alex Kitcher has a small crew of friends he plays video games with that will be joining him at Sarasota Polytechnical School. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 5, 2022
A new school year often means a big transition

Students and parents reflect on moving into middle school and high school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Valerie Viands, the director of Manatee Technical College, hands Sarasota's Jasmine Redding her diploma. Redding has a job with Nurse Core and plans to work part time for HCA Florida Blake Hospital or First Physicians Group.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Manatee Technical College fast-tracks grads into the workforce in Bradenton and Sarasota region

Many Manatee Technical College students secured a job before they even graduate.

  • East County
  • Schools
$18.1 million in facelifts are planned for Bay Haven School for Basics Plus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
Three planned new schools will house 5,100 student in flourishing south Sarasota County

Two new schools in Wellen Park and a third nearby will serve the Venice-North Port area as Sarasota County Public Schools plans for growth. A historic school will also get a makeover.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 28, 2022
Manatee School District considers how to use vacant land to address growth

The district has three parcels totaling 186 acres in the Lakewood Ranch area on which to build new schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Sailors alum Conner Whittaker, who just finished his freshman season at Florida State, held a 2.48 ERA over 36.1 innings in 2022. (Photo courtesy of FSU Athletics)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 23, 2022
Former Sarasota High baseball star was a key piece of Florida State's bullpen in 2022

Conner Whittaker held a 2.48 ERA over 36.1 innings as a freshman at FSU. He thanks his high school coaches for making his transition to college ball a smooth one.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dolphin Aviation scholarship winners Jaxson French, Gabriel French, presenter Shannon Ciaravella, Chloe Sebiro, Halden Parker and Sephena Jackson. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 22, 2022
Local students awarded at Dolphin Aviation scholarship ceremony

The ceremony was held June 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Santora, a former third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem. Teachers will go through trainings to learn more ways of supporting students. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 22, 2022
Manatee School District implements new project to improve school climate

Thirty-three percent of students surveyed say the actions of fellow students hurt their performance, so the school district hopes Project Spark leads to better learning environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
The administration area of the school has been reconfigured to have a single point of entry. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2022
Braden River Middle renovations near completion

The School District of Manatee County takes advantage of summer months to continue renovations, which include a newly configured administration area and a cafeteria expansion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sheila Waid feels like she's returning home as the new principal at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. Waid served as a student support specialist at McNeal Elementary from 2015 to 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 14, 2022
East Bradenton educator returns to McNeal Elementary as principal

Sheila Waid lands her first principal role after three decades in education.

  • East County
  • Schools
An Aviation Maintenance Technician School is coming to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 8, 2022
Aviation maintenance school coming to SRQ

Manatee Technical partners with Suncoast Technical to provide training at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl McGrew, who has retired as the principal of McNeal Elementary School, was integral to starting STEM labs in elementary schools throughout the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 7, 2022
McNeal Elementary principal retires after 34 years in education

River Club's Cheryl McGrew has enjoyed seeing her visions for education become reality for students in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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.
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