Photo: Cullen Morgan · CC BY 4.0Sarasota’s public schools outscore 84% of Florida districts
64% of students in Sarasota’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Sarasota, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Sarasota’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 469 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sarasota’s, its schools beat 92%, higher than their 84% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 64% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,458 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sarasota School of Arts/Sciences, Suncoast School for Innovative Studies, Sarasota Military Academy, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School (private), St. Martha Catholic Schcol (private), Achievement Center of Sarasota the (private), Agape Christian School of Sarasota (private), Elevation Preparatory Academy (private), First Montessori (private) and Elevation Preparatory Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Sarasota’s grade
A−: better than 84% of Florida school districts, #24 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sarasota, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Sarasota · depends on your address
Tuttle Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 698 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Alta Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Sarasota
Brookside Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 724 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sarasota
Brookside Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 724 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sarasota
Brookside Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 724 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Sarasota · depends on your address
Sarasota High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,359 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Booker High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,479 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Sarasota · depends on your address
Sarasota High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,359 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Booker High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,479 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Sarasota · depends on your address
Sarasota High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,359 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Booker High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,479 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Sarasota · depends on your address
Sarasota High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,359 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Booker High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,479 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Sarasota’s public schools are run by Sarasota County School District, which also serves Longboat Key, North Port and Venice. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Sarasota vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Sarasota’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota | A− | Sarasota County |
Every school in Sarasota
18 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Children First).
Questions about Sarasota’s schools
Are Sarasota’s schools good?
By Florida’s own tests, yes: the public schools Sarasota children attend outscore 84% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #24 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sarasota in?
Sarasota County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 45,246 students in 60 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sarasota kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Sarasota High School and Booker High School.
What is Sarasota’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Sarasota County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Sarasota spend per student?
$15,458 in Sarasota County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Sarasota?
Yes: Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 687 students), St. Martha Catholic Schcol (Catholic, grades PK–8, 477 students), Achievement Center of Sarasota the (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 104 students), Agape Christian School of Sarasota (religious, grades K–12, 47 students), Elevation Preparatory Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 43 students), First Montessori (religious, grades PK–5, 32 students) and Elevation Preparatory Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 25 students). Sarasota also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Sarasota families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sarasota → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.