Sarasota County Schools prepare to welcome students back for new school year

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SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Thousands of <a href="https://jiuniversity.com/indian-student-visas-to-us-fell-62-in-2025-visas-for-chinese-fell-only-34/” title=”Indian student visas to US fell 62% in 2025; visas for Chinese fell only 34%”>students across Sarasota County will head back to the classroom Monday as the district begins a new school year with changes to transportation, school start times and several campuses

Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor joined Summer Smith on ABC 7 News at Noon to discuss the new school year and what parents and families need to know before the first day of school on Aug. 10

While students have been enjoying summer break, Connor said teachers and staff have been busy getting ready for their return

“Many of them are preparing over the summer with professional learning across the district to make sure we are providing the best educational experience for our students,” Connor said

Students return following another strong year academically for Sarasota County Schools

The district earned an “A” grade for the 23rd consecutive year and increased its overall accountability score by 32 points compared with last year

Every district-managed school received either an “A” or “B,” and every district-managed middle school earned an “A.”

“Sarasota has a proud history of excellent, A-rated schools,” Connor said. “We are proud this year that 100% of our schools are now rated as A’s and B’s.”

Fourteen district-managed schools improved by a full letter grade this year, according to the district, and no district-managed school declined

Emma E. Booker Elementary School and Booker Middle School each earned an “A” for the first time since Florida’s school grading system began

Several schools also saw significant increases in their total accountability points compared with the previous year, including Gocio Elementary, which gained 124 points, and Brentwood Elementary, which gained 116 points

One of the biggest changes families will see this school year involves student transportation

Sarasota County Schools has transitioned to a new transportation platform called My Ride K-12

The app allows families to see their child’s bus assignment and stop location, check pickup and drop-off times, track buses in real time and receive information about delays or substitute buses

“Technology can be a great thing,” Connor said. “The new My Ride K-12 app, which we are encouraging our parents to download, is going to give them real-time updates. In this day and age, we want to know where our kids are all the time.”

Families can request school transportation through the Focus Parent Portal

The deadline for a guaranteed bus route on the first day of school has passed, but the district’s Transportation Department will continue processing requests. Families who are still waiting for an assignment are encouraged to continue checking the My Ride K-12 app for updates

Families should also double-check when their child’s school begins this year

Starting Aug. 10, district-managed schools will operate within three consistent start-time windows:

• High schools: 7:30 a.m.
• Elementary and K-8 schools: 8:30 a.m.
• Middle schools: 9:30 a.m.

Most schools already operate within those windows, but some campuses will see schedule adjustments ranging from approximately nine to 30 minutes

The district says the changes are intended to improve transportation efficiency and provide more consistent student pickup and drop-off times

Families can check their individual school’s schedule on the Sarasota County Schools website

The new year also marks a change for four Sarasota County campuses

Alta Vista School, Brentwood School, Gulf Gate School and Wilkinson School will operate as K-8 schools

District leaders say the model allows students to remain on the same campus from kindergarten through eighth grade, reducing transitions and allowing students and families to build longer relationships with teachers and staff

The district also says the model provides additional leadership opportunities for older students to serve as mentors and role models for younger children

Families attending school sporting events will also see some changes

Beginning this school year, tickets for district athletic events will be sold digitally through GoFan. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at events using a QR code or tap-to-pay option

General admission for high school athletic events will be $8, while varsity football tickets will remain $10. Middle school athletic event tickets will cost $5

The district is also expanding athletic opportunities

Boys and girls soccer will be introduced at the middle school level in fall 2026, followed by boys and girls flag football in spring 2027. Girls flag football will also be offered at all district-managed high schools beginning in spring 2027

Sarasota County Schools will continue its partnership with Who We Play For to provide ECG heart screenings for student-athletes. Screenings cost $20, with financial assistance available for qualifying families

As families prepare for Monday morning, Connor said one of the most important things parents can do is establish routines and emphasize the importance of attending school every day

“Make school a priority,” Connor said. “We want to make sure students are in school daily, have good attendance, have consistent routines in place and have regular conversations about school being a priority for you and your family.”

Connor said he is optimistic about what lies ahead

“It’s going to be a very successful school year,” he said

Sarasota County Schools’ annual Back 2 School Guide, along with information about school schedules, transportation and other re

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