Making the Grade
From student achievement to expansion in programs and capacity, the public school districts of Sarasota and Manatee counties can be proud of their accomplishments.
The state of Florida has classified Sarasota as an "A" school district, with 83 percent of the county's public schools recognized as A or B schools. Sarasota area students consistently outperform their peers in the state and nation on formal assessments, including the rigorous college placement tests. SAT scores are an average of 63 points higher than the state average, and 35 points higher than the national average.
Academic achievements reach beyond the traditional high school subject areas as well. Students from Sarasota County Technical Institute last year earned first place in the National Skills USA Competition for the state, and took top honors nationally as well. The Sarasota County School Board was one of only two in the country to receive a prestigious award from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National School Board Association for its outstanding support of arts education.
Specialized training and services are extensive and growing. The school district has added literacy coaches at every middle and high school, hired additional teachers and guidance counselors, and expanded the driver's education program, summer school and dropout prevention programs.
Sarasota County schools spokeswoman Sheila Weiss points out that fiscal efficiency enabled the school district to achieve more by stretching taxpayer dollars. Two independent rating firms (Fitch and Moody) have rated Sarasota County public schools at the top of the state and nation for sound financial management. The school district also has the distinction of being one of two districts in the state to receive an exemplary financial audit by the Florida Auditor Generals office for the 2001-02 school year.
Charter, private and faith-based education provides a varied educational climate that includes, among others, the arts-focused Julie Rohr Academy, Cardinal Mooney High School and The Phoenix Academy for intensive instruction and counseling that helps eighth- to 10th-grade students struggling in reading, writing and math. Special needs students have two well-regarded options in the public school system: Pine View School for the Gifted addresses the needs of academically gifted students in grades two through 12, and Oak Park School provides special education for students with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.
To help the public understand what it takes to run this major "business" of schooling, a Citizens Academy now provides an inside look on the entire school system. Participants can discover the host of academic and business services that make it possible for the schools to exist, from curriculum, testing and guidance to food service, transportation, maintenance, construction and finance.
Major institutions of higher education thrive in the area. New College of Florida, the honors college of the state university system, continues to be recognized by Money and Time magazines, both of which listed it as the second best college bargain in the country. The University of South Florida serves 2,500 students at the Sarasota-Manatee branch of the Tampa-based institution. Manatee Community College has campuses in Bradenton and Venice. The private Ringling School of Art and Design attracts talented art students from all over the nation.
In 2004 two new medical schools opened in the area. Tallahassee-based Florida State University opened its Regional Medical School Campus in downtown Sarasota for third- and fourth-year medical students. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine opened a state-of-the-art Florida campus in Lakewood Ranch.
Adults have access to continuing education at the public Sarasota County Technical Institute; the business-based Keiser College; the Eckerd Program for Experienced Learners, which is affiliated with St. Petersburg's Eckerd College; and the Ringling School of Art and Design Continuing Education division.
Just to the north, Sarasota" target="_blank">Manatee County is working hard to keep up with its huge increase in student population. The phenomenal growth spurt is being met by the completion of two new schools: R. Dan Nolan Middle School and Mills Elementary School. In addition, the district has $300 million in construction projects that include the new Braden River High and a new elementary school scheduled to open in 2005; reconstruction is under way on Anna Maria Elementary School and King Middle School.
Thirteen Sarasota" target="_blank">Manatee County schools achieved the elite Five-Star status awarded by the Florida Department of Education for extraordinary performance. Bayshore High School became the first high school to participate in the county's Education through Dynamic Global Experiences program that provided students and teachers with laptop computers connected to a wireless network in order to expand educational resources and develop tools for lifelong learning.
Throughout the Sarasota and Manatee area, students of all ages benefit from the dedication to quality education combined with a diverse array of services that not only make the grade, but continue to make the grade higher year after year.