Sarasota Schools: An In-Depth Guide to Public, Charter & Private Options
A neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at Sarasota County Schools, plus the area’s charter and private alternatives — so you can weigh options before you buy.
How Sarasota County Schools Work
Sarasota County Schools is the district serving the city of Sarasota and most of the surrounding county, including Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Fruitville, and parts of Lakewood Ranch. It’s one of the higher-performing districts in Florida and consistently earns an “A” grade from the state.
Like most Florida districts, assignment to a zoned public school is based on your home address. Two houses a few blocks apart can fall into entirely different elementary, middle, and high school zones, so if a specific school matters to your decision, it’s worth confirming the exact zone for any property before you commit — not just the neighborhood name.
Confirm Your Zoned School Before You Buy
The district maintains an official school locator where you can enter any address and see the zoned elementary, middle, and high school. I’d recommend checking this for any specific property you’re considering — I’m also happy to help you confirm it as part of a home search.
Public Schools (Zoned, Sarasota County Schools)
Below is a sample of zoned public schools across the district by level. This isn’t every school in the county, but it reflects the range you’ll encounter from downtown out to the eastern suburbs.
Elementary Schools
| School | Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Southside Elementary | Near downtown / Southside Village | (941) 361-6420 | Tuttle Elementary | Central Sarasota | (941) 361-6433 |
| Fruitville Elementary | Fruitville corridor | (941) 361-6200 |
| Gulf Gate Elementary | Gulf Gate | (941) 361-6499 |
| Ashton Elementary | South Sarasota / Ashton Rd | (941) 361-6440 |
Middle Schools
| School | Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Booker Middle School | North Sarasota | (941) 359-5824 |
| McIntosh Middle School | Central Sarasota | (941) 361-6520 |
| Brookside Middle School | South-central Sarasota | (941) 361-6472 |
| Sarasota Middle School | South Sarasota / Ashton Rd | (941) 361-6464 |
High Schools
| School | Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota High School | Downtown Sarasota | (941) 955-0181 |
| Booker High School | North Sarasota — visual & performing arts magnet | (941) 355-2967 |
| Riverview High School | South Sarasota | (941) 923-1484 |
Notable Public Option: Riverview High School (IB Program)
As a prominent traditional zoned option, Riverview High School is highly regarded for hosting one of the state’s premier International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programs. Located in Sarasota, it offers a globally recognized, rigorous academic curriculum that acts as a major draw for relocating families seeking top-tier college preparation within a traditional public school setting.
Public Charter & Magnet Schools
Charter schools are public and tuition-free but operate independently of standard zoning — admission is generally by application or lottery, not home address. Sarasota County has several established options:
| School | Focus / Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota Military Academy | Structured, military-style program — downtown Sarasota | (941) 926-1700 |
| Sarasota Academy of the Arts | Performing arts focus, K–8 | (941) 377-2278 |
| Imagine School at Palmer Ranch | K–8, Palmer Ranch | (941) 923-1125 |
| Sarasota Suncoast Academy | East county | (941) 924-4242 |
| Bay Haven School of Basics Plus | Public magnet, back-to-basics curriculum | (941) 359-5800 |
Charter school enrollment can be competitive and application windows open well before the school year starts — worth researching timelines early if one of these is a priority.
Private Schools
Sarasota has a strong bench of private schools spanning early childhood through high school, including several long-established independent and faith-based campuses:
| School | Grades / Notes | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| The Out-of-Door Academy | PK–5 on Siesta Key, 6–12 at Lakewood Ranch — college-prep independent school | (941) 349-3223 |
| Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School | Catholic high school, central Sarasota | (941) 371-4917 |
| Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School | PK–12, Bradenton | (941) 746-2121 |
| Sarasota Christian School | PK–12, Christian curriculum | (941) 499-8557 |
Private school tuition, admissions timelines, and available financial aid vary widely — contact schools directly for current tuition and open house dates.
How to Weigh School Options When Relocating
If a specific public school matters to your decision, confirm the zoned school for the exact address — not just the neighborhood — since boundaries can split streets. If you’re considering a charter school, check application windows early, as several fill through a lottery before the school year begins. And if private school is on the table, ask about waitlists directly, since some of Sarasota’s most established campuses fill a year or more in advance.
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