FL Student Can?t Say ?Gay? In Grad Speech, Discusses His Curls Instead

After having his grad speech censored, an LGBTQ student activist in Sarasota County used his curly hair as a metaphor for being gay.

FAFSA Completions Down In FL: How Sarasota Area Schools Compare

See how college aid applications changed for Sarasota area high schools.

Sarasota Schools' Scores Drop On State Third-Grade English Exam

The number of students who achieved a Level 3 score or higher dropped 4 percentage points on FL’s third-grade English Language Arts exam.

5 Sarasota County Teachers Honored With Ripple Effect Award

The award is presented by the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and recognizes educators for the impact they have on their students.

Graduation 2021: Surprise Your Graduate By Sharing A Photo On Patch

Tell us why your grad is special and send a message of congratulations on Sarasota Patch.

Sarasota Educator Named Florida Teacher Of The Year Finalist

Fruitville Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kari Johnson is one of five Florida teachers vying for this top award.

FAFSA Completions Down In FL: How Sarasota Area Schools Compare

See how college aid applications changed for Sarasota area high schools.

Registration Open For Sarasota County's 2021-22 School Year

Parents and guardians of first-time, existing students must fill out an online registration form to register for the upcoming school year.

School Mask, Other Coronavirus Policies To Expire: Report

Sarasota County Schools will let its mask requirement, other COVID-19-related policies expire June 30, reports said.

Student Petition Targets 'Sexist' Dress Code At Sarasota School

Around 1,200 people have signed a Change.org petition protesting Sarasota High School’s dress code, which opponents say is “sexist.”

School Mask Policies, Graduations, Proms, Sports: FL Patch Survey

Patch wants to know your thoughts about COVID-19 safety measures in FL schools and protocols for school-related activities. Take our survey.

Sarasota Area Increases Share Of College Grads

The portion of U.S. residents holding four-year or higher degrees has been on the rise. Here's how it’s changed in Sarasota County.

No Dancing, Other Rules Set For Sarasota County Schools' Proms

With socially distanced games, seating charts and masks because of COVID-19, proms will look very different in Sarasota County this year.

Sarasota Opera’s Winter Festival Underway, Runs Through March 4

The 2021 Winter Opera Festival features in-person and streaming performances of “The Happy Deception” and “Maid to Mistress.”

School Face Mask Lawsuit Dropped In Sarasota County

Parents suing the Sarasota County school board for its face mask policy filed a voluntary dismissal of their lawsuit Tuesday.

Sarasota Schools, Newtown Alive Honor Dorothye Smith With Plaque

Smith was the first African American principal in Sarasota County post-desegregation. A plaque honoring her is on display at Southside.

Sarasota County Schools Hires Equity Director; Kingsley Retires

After 35 years, Laura Kingsley retiring; Chris Renouf, Brandon Johnson promoted; Dr. Moore named the first-ever innovation, equity director.

Fruitville Elementary Educator Named Sarasota Teacher Of The Year

Kindergarten teacher Kari Johnson has been named the 2021 Teacher of the Year by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Deadline Approaching For Ringling’s High School Writing Contest

Young writers have until Jan. 15 to submit to Ringling College's sixth annual "Storytellers of Tomorrow" creative writing contest.

Sarasota Schools To Pay $250,000 Settlement To Student: Report

The school district settled with a student misplaced in a program for children with severe cognitive disabilities for 6 years, reports said.

Florida's Best 25 School Districts 2021: New Rankings Released

A new ranking of Florida's best school districts has been released by Niche.com. See how your school system fared.

​ Early Dismissal Planned For Sarasota Schools Wednesday

Sarasota County Schools will close two hours early due to Hurricane Eta.

Sarasota Schools To Close On Monday As Tropical Storm Approaches

As Sarasota County braces for rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Eta, the district will close all schools and offices on Monday.

Christopher Bald Graduates From Troy University

The Sarasota native graduated with the Master of Science in Management degree.

Face Freedom Scholarship Proposed For Opponents Of Mask Mandates

Sen. Joe Gruters proposes giving private school vouchers to families that oppose mask mandates in their public school districts.

Anti-Racism Rally Planned At Riverview High School Friday

Students, community activists plan anti-racism rally after Spirit Week incidents where students donned MAGA gear, marched through campus.​

Mask Mandate Prompts Parents To Sue Sarasota County School Board

Parents filed suit against the Sarasota County School Board​, which extended the district’s mask mandate for students, staff and teachers.

Cancel Culture Vs Freedom Of Speech: Trump-Supporting Students

Reader responses to a Sarasota Patch article about Riverview High School dressing in MAGA gear during Spirit Week were mixed.

Student Trump Fans Gather In Controversial MAGA Gear Again

Days after some Riverview High School students marched through campus dressed as President Trump, they returned in MAGA gear Friday.

Ashley Scharon Graduates From Montclair State University

Ashley Scharon of Lakewood Ranch graduated with a BA in Psychology from Montclair State University in May 2020.

Masks Still Required For Students, Teachers: Sarasota Schools

The Sarasota County Schools Board voted 3-2 at Tuesday's meeting to keep the school district’s current mask policy.

9 Florida Colleges Make Princeton Review’s 2021 ‘Best’ List

The annual Princeton Review Best list includes 386 colleges from across the country. See which Florida schools made the list.

Sarasota Kids Head Back To School With Online and In-Person Mix

A mix of online classes and traditional classroom instruction marked the return of school for thousands of Sarasota-area children Monday

Sarasota Swears In New School Superintendent Ahead Of Reopening

Brennan Asplen was sworn in Monday as the new superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.

Most Florida Children Expected To Attend Traditional Schools

FL's commissioner of education has ordered all "brick and mortar schools" to reopen in August but also gave school districts flexibility.

Sarasota Teacher Wins Army Instructor of the Year

SMA JROTC Senior Instructor LTC (R) Ben Weiss recently received the 2020 USACC JROTC Senior Instructor of the Year Award

Sarasota Seniors Receive Military Foundation Scholarships

Seniors Juliana Rendle, Noah Fischer and Aeryn Sachs will receive scholarships from the Sarasota Military Officers Foundation

Sarasota Students Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

Sarasota Military Academy Cadets will Celebrate Earth Day with Virtual Environmental Partnership

Sarasota Students Sworn in During Nationwide Enlistment Ceremony

Oath Administered by NASA Astronaut and U.S. Army Colonel

New Coronavirus: Sarasota School Officials Working On Plan

Sarasota County Schools​ is working on a plan to prepare for the new coronavirus.