Sarasota Schools Excel

This morning I shipped my kids off to yet another year of academic adventure. We are excited about this year, as my son enters the 5th grade - he's the big dog in the elementary school - and my daughter gets to enjoy the brand new Riverview School as a junior.

I am reminded yet again, as I toured schools and met teachers - of the excellence I have found in the school system. When I moved here from New York nearly a decade ago, my main concern was the school system for my young children. Not much has changed, as I speak everyday with concerned parents. They are looking for quality of life in paradise, but not at the expense of their kids education. I completely understand. I have been there.

My daughter went through Ashton Elementary, Sarasota Middle School and is now at Riverview. Her experience in all three has been stellar. The new Riverview campus is a shining testament to the fact that we are committed to giving our kids a safe, clean and modern place to learn and excel. Her courseload, which consists of college level courses and real life applications of technology, makes me comfortable that she will be well prepared for college and beyond.

Sarasota Middle School was the prepatory experience to Riverview, and she graduated from their Pioneers program. The teachers were firm, strict and expected alot from the kids. Sometimes the kids didn't like the approach - but now as an adolescent considering colleges, my daughter is grateful for the foundation she received there.

As my son begins his reign as king of Ashton elementary, I cant help but be a little nostalgic. This is the school that both my kids grew up in, and it will be sad to leave it behind at the end of the year. But the dedication of the teachers and staff, the openness of the campus (readily accepting parent participation and visits) and the fact that I can have lunch with my son whenever I want...those are special times and memories. My son, a bright child but with a speech disability, has grown in confidence and ability, and I attribute this to caring teachers.

The good news is this - my experience with these three schools is echoed by parents throughout the city. In the last several months, I have participated in the friendly competition - each parent extolling thier kids school as the best in town. Isn't that awesome? Our kids have had the opportunity and privilege to grow up in such a beautiful place, and their education has not suffered. In fact, they are flourishing. I am looking forward to this year, and to telling more parents about the excellent opportunities for their kids in Sarasota.