Sarasota County Schools has been named an Academically High-Performing School District for 2025-26 by the Florida State Board of Education. The state based the designation on three things: strong academic results, compliance with class-size limits, and sound financial practices. All three had to line up for the district to earn the title.
Alongside the district honor, 17 district-managed schools earned the Florida School of Excellence designation. Unlike a single-year grade, this one is judged on sustained student achievement over time. The honorees include 11 elementary schools, Sarasota Middle, Suncoast Polytechnical and Venice high schools, and three combination schools.
District officials credited students, teachers, school leaders, support staff and families for the results, and said the work continues with a focus on continuous improvement and expanding opportunities for every student. For families across the Suncoast, it’s a reminder that the schools down the street are getting noticed well beyond our area code.
Which local school are you proudest of? Tell us in the comments and we’ll give them a shout-out on air.
