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Are you planning to obtain employment when you move to Sarasota? Are you looking to rent or purchase a home? Have you visited the area before or do you know someone who lives here? It is best to visit the area and check out some of the neighborhoods and go to some of the schools. Bring your kids with you. You can ask for a tour of the schools too while you are here. Check to see what programs the schools offer that your kids may be interested in.
Technically, the best school in rankings is Pine View. It is a full time gifted school which requires an IQ of 130 or more and special testing for entrance.
If you don't decide to go that route I highly recommend you check out Riverview High. They have a great IB program. If you're looking farther south into the Venice/Nokomis/Osprey area-Venice High is a good option.
Here's something I wrote about the local schools that you might find helpful.
Southside services most of the downtown area south of Main St. North of Main would be mostly Booker school district. The Palmer Ranch area is mostly Ashton school district. There are other schools in the area but these are ones that I have either had personal experience with or I have friends that have kids in the schools.
Sarasota ranks as one of the top districts in the state by a number of measures, including test scores, graduation rates and teacher compensation.
It offers distinctive programs tailored to different student needs, including Florida's only school for the gifted, the state's largest special needs school and one of a handful of career-focused high schools.
Alright, if I were checking out schools other than Pine View these are the schools that I would look into, in order. This is also the order they fall in if you look at the stats on the state of FL.
I'll throw some zip codes in as well to use for a general guideline but make sure you double check them with the map provided and the local school board as the map/zip codes may change slightly if they add a new school.
I'm going to also include a few neighborhoods within each zip code. Keep in mind that there are many other communities in each zip code worth checking out. I'm just trying to give you a starting point. Also if the community is very large it might encompass two or three different schools.
Please use this website when searching for properties: www.myfloridahomesmls.com It's the most up to date website.
Sarasota County Schools
For Elementary Southside Elementary (34228, 34236, 34239, 34242)
Most of the downtown Sarasota condos, the condos/homes on the south end of Longboat Key, Bay Isles, Bird Key, Bungalow Hill, Cherokee Park, County Club Shores, Granada, Harbor Acres, Lido Key, McClellan Park, Poinsettia Park, St Armand's, some of Southgate.
Venice Elementary (34285, 34292, 34293)
The island of Venice, Bellagio on Venice Island, Lakes of Jacaranda, Pinebrook, South Venice, Venice Acres
Ashton Elementary (34233, 34238)-The Palmer Ranch communities(Arielle, Botanica, The Hamptons, Turtle Rock, Serenade, Stonebridge, Village Walk, Wellington Chase), Center Gate Estates, Colonial Oaks, Emerald Gardens, Grove Point, Three Oaks
Cranberry Elementary (North Port)
-(34286, a certain section)
Taylor Ranch (southern Sarasota county)-(34292, 34293)-Governors Green, Gulf View Estates, Blue Heron Pond, Lakes of Jacaranda, Myakka River Trails, Park Estates, Pelican Pointe Golf & County Club, The Plantation, Pennington Place, South Venice, Stoneybrook at Venice, Venice Golf & County Club, Southwood, Woodmere Lakes
Lakeview Elementary (34241)-Bent Tree, Country Creek, East Lake, Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, Founders Club, Foxfire, Gator Creek, Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, Lake Sarasota, Misty Creek, Myakka Valley Ranches, Preserve at Heron Lake, Red Hawk Reserve, Saddle Creek, Secluded Oaks, Serenoa, Trillium, Tuscana
Gulf Gate Elementary (34231, 34238)-Palmer Ranch communities-(Country Club of Sarasota, Deer Creek, Prestancia,
Marabella, Mira Lago, Palisades), Beneva Oaks, Coral Cove, Gulf Gate, Southpointe Shores,
Laurel Nokomis Elementary (mid Sarasota county)-(34229, 34275)-Bay Point, Calusa Lakes, Casey Key, Huntington Pointe, Isles of Sarasota, Laurel Pines, Laurel Woodlands, Mission Valley Estates, The Oaks, Park Trace Estates, Rivendell, Sawgrass, Shakett Creek, Silver Oak, Sorrento East, Sorrento Shores, Sorrento South, Sorrento Woods, South Creek, Southbay Yacht & Racquet Club, Stoneybrook at Palmer Ranch, Venetian Golf & River Club, Waterfront Estates, Willow Chase, Willowbend, Willowbrook
Tatum Ridge Elementary (34240)
-Barton Farms, Colonial Oaks, Deer Hammock, Founders Club, The Hammocks, Laurel Lakes, Laurel Meadows, Laurel Oak Estates, Oak Ford Golf Club, The Paddocks, Palmer Farms, Palmer Glen, Sarasota Golf Club, Sarasota Polo Club, Shadow Oaks, Summerwood, Tatum Ridge, Villages at Pine Tree-(Marsh, Ponderosa, Spruce Pine)
Garden Elementary(34285, 34292, 34293)
Phillipi Shores(34231, 34242)-Aqualane Estates, Bay Island, Florence, Hansens, Harmony, Hidden Harbor, The Landings, Mira Mar, much of Siesta Key, Oyster Bay Estates, Phillipi Cove, Philipi Gardens, Pine Shores, Point Crisp, Princess Gate, Ridge Wood, Sanderling Club, Sandy Hook, Sarasota Beach, Siesta Cove, Siesta Estates, Siesta Isles, Siesta Bayside, Tortoise Estates
Fruitville Elementary(34232)-Hidden Oaks, Nottingham, Sherwood Estates, Sherwood Forest, Woodland Park
Englewood Elementary (southern Sarasota county)(34223)-Artist Acres, Bay Vista, Boca Royale, Deer Creek, Eden Harbor, Englewood Farm Acres, Englewood Gardens, Englewood Isles, Englewood Pines, Manasota Gardens, Manasota Key, Overbrook Gardens, Stillwater
For Middle Sarasota Middle (34231-34242)
High School Riverview(34231-34242)
Manatee county Schools
Elementary Schools Robert Willis Elementary(34201, 34202)-Carlyle at the Villages of Palm Aire, Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch, Edgewater Village, Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch, Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Long Pond at Mote Ranch, Mote Ranch, Panther Ridge, Preserve at Panther Ridge, River Park at Mote Ranch, Riverwalk Ridge Cypress Banks, University Park
Gene Witt Elementary(34212)-Country Creek, Country Meadows, Foxbrook, Greyhawk Landing, Hidden Oaks, Mill Creek, Rye Wilderness,
Gilbert W McNeal Elementary(34202)-Concession, Greenbrook Village, Lakewood Ranch, Summerfield Village
Braden River Elementary(34202, 34211)-Braden Pines, Braden Woods, Oakbrooke at River Club, River Club North & South, Rosedale, Summerfield Village
BD Gullett Elementary(34211, 34212)-Central Park at Lakewood Ranch, Greyhawk Landing, Panther Ridge
Ida M Stewart Elementary(34209)-Perico Isles, Pinehurst, Riverview Landings, Shaws Point, Wisteria Park, Woodlands Park on Palma Sola Bay
Anna Maria Elementary(34216, 34217, 34228)-Anna Maria Island, Bay Palms, Bimini Bay Estates, Cortez, Emerald Harbor, Holmes Beach, Ilexhurst, Key Royale, Long Beach, Longboat Key, Shore Acres, Sleepy Lagoon, Wells Bay Harbor
Kinnan Elementary(34243)-Carlyle at the Villages of Palm Aire, Country Oaks, Desoto Lakes Country Club, Glenbrooke, Mote Ranch, Palm Aire, Palm Lakes, Quail Run, University Groves, Rio Mar, Trails, Treymore at Village of Palm Aire, Vintage Creek
Freedom Elementary(34212)-Gates Creek, Greenfield Plantation, Heritage Harbour, Lighthouse Cove at Heritage Harbor, Old Grove at Greenfield, Planters Manor at Greenfield, River Strand, Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbor, Waterlefe Golf & River Club
Tara Elementary(34212)-Barrington Ridge, Braden Crossing, Creekwood, Manatee Oaks, Mandalay, River Landings Bluffs, River Place, Rivers Edge, Silver Lake, Tailfeather Way at Tara, Tara, Tara Preserve, Wallingford, Water Oak
Middle School
Carlos E Halie Middle(34208-34212)
Braden River Middle(32401-34243)
Nolan Middle(34202, 34211, 34251)
King Middle(34209, 34216, 34217, 34228)
High School
Lakewood Ranch High(34202, 34211, 34212, 34251)
Manatee High(34205-34209, 34216, 34217, 34228)
Alternative School
Manatee School for Arts and Sciences
With apologies to the previous poster... I gave the post a big snip.
There's more to school than rankings.All the area High schools can provide a good, or bad learning experience. Pine View is not for everyone. I'll offer two personal scenarios.
1. One of our sons was tested for PV. IQ wise he was fine, it was his behavior that they didn't like. Looking back he might have done well there, as we (he & I ) agree he did not respond to traditional teaching methods. He is a Sarasota High grad, FSU grad, employed as a chemist.
2. A family physician complained that his kids don't "have a life" They went to PV at his wife's request. Their summer was filled with school work to the point they couldn't "be kids". His words.
I believe the toughest challenge for the original poster is switching schools / lifestyles at a tough age.
[quote=SoFLGal;21693488]Technically, the best school in rankings is Pine View. It is a full time gifted school which requires an IQ of 130 or more and special testing for entrance.
[quote=Picshooter;21693998]With apologies to the previous poster... I gave the post a big snip.
There's more to school than rankings.All the area High schools can provide a good, or bad learning experience. Pine View is not for everyone. I'll offer two personal scenarios.
1. One of our sons was tested for PV. IQ wise he was fine, it was his behavior that they didn't like. Looking back he might have done well there, as we (he & I ) agree he did not respond to traditional teaching methods. He is a Sarasota High grad, FSU grad, employed as a chemist.
2. A family physician complained that his kids don't "have a life" They went to PV at his wife's request. Their summer was filled with school work to the point they couldn't "be kids". His words.
I believe the toughest challenge for the original poster is switching schools / lifestyles at a tough age.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoFLGal
Technically, the best school in rankings is Pine View. It is a full time gifted school which requires an IQ of 130 or more and special testing for entrance.
I agree with this totally. My oldest went to PV for 4th-12th grades. It worked out great for her. My middle daughter went to PV from 2nd-7th grades and then left. School just isn't her top priority. If you're at PV, it needs to be. I didn't say it on the above post but I've said on numerous occasions that PV is not for every kid.
I'll also say that much of it has to do with the specific teacher your child has and how him/her responds to them. My kids have had some very dedicated and wonderful teachers as well as a few teachers who obviously should be done teaching.
I gave my personal opinions of the local schools based on my children attending them, me attending them or friends kids attending them.
As a district Sarasota county has some very good schools.
i was wondering which high schools in sarasota are good. i have 2 teenagers and i'm thinking of moving to sarasota within the next 6-8 mos.
i have 2 boys and they go to venice high. we moved down here from nj about 2 years ago. was a bit rough in the beginnnig but they adjusted. now they absolutely love it. they play sports are are both doing very well in school. one would have been able to test for pine view and the other i am not sure about. we posed the question to them and they both said absolutely not. in their words they said it was a bunch of geeks and there was not the same sports.
i can tell you that the attitude of the teachers have is completely different here than it was up north. in nj the majority of the teachers made it obvious that they were in it for the money. union ruled. down here we have found it just the opposite, all the teachers we have had contact with are really in to the kids. the schools are clean and the administrative staff really cares. teachers and staff will call you when asked to. i can see my kids grades on line along with cuts and absences. there was talk of that in the district we were in up in nj but i think they ended up using the money for benefits or pensions.
kids here are much different also. they are respectful and seem to be much happier. when visiting the school it does not look like the state correctional facility with the boys running around with their pants on the ground and drawers showing. there also seems to be far less racial tension and problems.
since your question was pretty open ended cant really elaborate on any specifics.
We will be joining all of you down there soon! Kids are excited, thankfully (ages 7, 11, and 12.)
I am looking mostly at Osprey and that seems to be Laurel Nokomis K-8 (if I read that right.)
Any comments from anyone???
Then it will be Venice High, which seems pretty good!
Funny, I spoke with my older 2 about Pine View (I think probably only 1 would have qualified) and they both said NO WAY. Oh well!
We will be joining all of you down there soon! Kids are excited, thankfully (ages 7, 11, and 12.)
I am looking mostly at Osprey and that seems to be Laurel Nokomis K-8 (if I read that right.)
Any comments from anyone???
Then it will be Venice High, which seems pretty good!
Funny, I spoke with my older 2 about Pine View (I think probably only 1 would have qualified) and they both said NO WAY. Oh well!
you will be making the move at a good time, before they hit high school.
another thing that impressed me about here, is how there is no competition when it comes to impressing others with clothes. in nj they had to have just the right shirts, pants and sneakers. down here they are happy to get a t shirt with a fish on it. formal wear is something from guy harvey.
i am sure you will hear about the terrible schools in florida and that can be true in some places as the state as a whole does not place to well in the US rankings. sarasota is not a part of that.
pine view would probably set a kid up for a better college performance but why make them go to a school and have them hate the 4 years. its a time for learning but also having fun and enjoy themselves. not sure but i dont think pineview has the clubs and other extracurricular activities like venice. i know that the sports program is pretty limited and absolutely they have no football.
not sure if you mentioned previously having been down here before to this area. i did a good bit of travel to the other side, ft lauderdale area, and was not impressed with florida. reminded me of ny/nj with palm trees. people moved down and brought their attitudes with them. came over here to visit a friend and realize this area was completely different.
the season is over, but if you want to get an idea of the kids and how they act go to a venice varsity football game on a friday night. you will also realize that there are people here under the age of 80. in fact on halloween there is what they call "the safe walk" on dearborn street. the merchants set up tables and give out candy to the tricker treaters. there has to be a thousand kids there. and what is really impressive is that it is all orderly and the kids say please and thank you, whens the last time you heard that in the ny area?
Last edited by gettinoutofjersey; 11-14-2011 at 07:01 AM..
same here moving to sarasota within 6 to 8 months. Moved from Long Island New York to South carolina (midlands) and will be relaocating to Sarasota. Husband will be comuting to Tampa. have kids in 7th and 10th.
Schools are imporatnt. My son is into computers and daughter is into drama.
As for where to move. We are looking into an area where kids actually go out to play and families get to know each other. Here in SC its only ppl walking their dogs that come out. It's scary. Lol. we are looking to probably rent for the 6mos-1st year and then purchase a home. Any help would be greatrly appreciated. Also have 2 big dogs and a little one. Need to be where fences are allowed for dogs to play. Looking to spend 230-260K. prefer sarasota to manatee. I think.
Any help is greatly appreciated
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Lol. we are looking to probably rent for the 6mos-1st year and then purchase a home. Any help would be greatrly appreciated. Also have 2 big dogs and a little one. Need to be where fences are allowed for dogs to play. Looking to spend 230-260K. prefer sarasota to manatee. I think.
