Private School in Sarasota, FL

The Out-of-Door Academy:
The Out-of-Door Academy in Sarasota, Sarasota County, is an independent, co-educational college preparatory school offering Pre-K - Grade 12 programs. The Out-of-Door Academy's goal is to prepare students for the challenges of college and life, through a process that focuses on the development of responsible, self-confident, intellectually curious young people who are prepared and willing to become leaders.

Lower School (Pre-K - Grade 6):
The curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, richly balanced with special classes in Spanish, art, music, library, technology, and physical education classes. After-school programs for the Lower School students include an intramural sports program for grades 2-6 and the Encore Arts Program, which offers students a variety of classes in the visual and performing arts.

Middle School (Grade 7 - Grade 8):
The key to our success in the Middle School is simple. Our dedicated Middle School faculty engages students in a thoughtful program that addresses the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students. Academically, our liberal arts curriculum engages students by leveraging ideas and encouraging students to explore connections. For example, the English and history curricula are woven together so novels read in English will highlight and expand upon the events studied in history.

We do not limit learning to the classroom - the culminating experience for the seventh grade life science course is a marine biology trip to the Florida Keys, and the capstone experience for eighth grade history is a trip to Washington, D.C. Students in physical science class will find themselves conducting experiments that involve inline skating or dropping eggs from an altitude. The Middle School is abuzz with activity, and our students are well-prepared for the academic rigor and intellectual demands of the Upper School.

Upper School (Grade 9 - Grade 12):
Our teachers provide a rigorous academic program for our students. We expect academic excellence, but we do not simply want students to perform well on tests. We want them to learn how to think and to master the world of ideas. To meet this goal, our core college preparatory curriculum is enhanced by electives in the arts, sciences and humanities and extended by over 25 honors and Advanced Placement courses. The program is challenging, engaging, and multi-faceted.

From the ninth grade's close reading and discussion of Homer's Odyssey, to the senior year capstone course (in which students investigate the essential question, How is life best lived?, through the lenses of spirituality, social justice and the arts), the curriculum at Out-of-Door engages and stretches students intellectually.

Additionally:  After-School Care Program