Sarasota County Schools (SCS) is a public school district serving all of Sarasota County, Florida, recognized for its academic excellence and innovative programs. Below is a comprehensive overview based on available information:
Sarasota School District Profile
Enrollment:
- Over 45,000 students across 56 schools, with students speaking more than 60 languages, reflecting a diverse student body.
Sarasota School Types
- 23 elementary schools in Sarasota County
- 7 middle schools in Sarasota County
- 6 high schools in Sarasota County
- 3 combination schools (e.g., K-8) in Sarasota County
- 1 alternative school in Sarasota County
- 1 technical college (Suncoast Technical College)
- 14 public charter schools in Sarasota County
- 1 virtual school in Sarasota County
Sarasota School Ranking and Performance
Consistently earns an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education since 2004, one of only two Florida districts to achieve this annually. In 2023-24, SCS ranked 5th among Florida’s top-performing school districts and is the 21st largest by enrollment.
In 2024-25, the district maintained its “A” rating for the 22nd consecutive year, improving by 9 points in the state’s accountability system.
For 10th-grade English Language Arts (ELA) on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), Sarasota County tied for 12th out of 67 counties, with 61% of students scoring at or above level 3, surpassing the state average by 3 percentage points. Six schools exceeded the state average, while five fell below.
How Does Sarasota School District Compare with other Districts in the US?
Niche Rankings (2025): Sarasota County Schools is ranked #798 out of 10,561 school districts in the United States, placing it in the top 8% nationally. This ranking is based on a rigorous analysis of academic performance, test scores, teacher quality, and reviews from students and parents.