The Out-of-Door Academy (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked FL School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 905 students
Yearly Tuition: $30,000
Acceptance rate: 59%
Average class size: 9 students
Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

The Out-of-Door Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Florida for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Other school association(s)
Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)
Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	The Out-of-Door Academy
Pre-K	35
Kind	67
1	49
2	51
3	37
4	43
5	52
6	62
7	76
8	82
9	88
10	90
11	94
12	79

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Year Founded

1924

Summer School Offered

Yes

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

905 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

18%

State avg.: 48%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

121 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

68%

Average Class Size

9 students

Number of AP Courses

21 courses

Advanced Courses

English - AP Language and CompositionEnglish - AP Literature and Composition

English - Honors American LiteratureEnglish - Honors British Literature

English - Honors European LiteratureFine Arts - AP Studio Art: 2-D Design

Fine Arts - AP Studio Art: DrawingFine Arts - AP Studio Art: Photography

Foreign Language - AP LatinForeign Language - AP Spanish Language

Foreign Language - AP Spanish LiteratureForeign Language - Honors Mandarin Chinese V

Foreign Language - Honors Spanish IIForeign Language - Honors Spanish III

Foreign Language - Honors Spanish IVForeign Language - Honors Spanish V

History - AP European HistoryHistory - AP United States Government and Politics

History - AP United States HistoryHistory - Honors International Studies

Math - AP Calculus ABMath - AP Calculus BC

Math - AP StatisticsMath - Honors Algebra II

Math - Honors GeometryMath - Honors Pre-Calculus

Music - AP Music Theory and CompositionScience - AP Biology

Science - AP ChemistryScience - AP Computer Science Principle

Science - AP Physics IScience - AP Physics II

Science - Honors BiologyScience - Honors Chemistry

Science - Honors PhysicsScience – AP Environmental Science

Social Science - AP EconomicsSocial Science - AP Macroeconomics

Social Science - AP Microeconomics

Show More (23)Hide

Average SAT score

1285

(Out of 1600)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Lower and Middle School students wear uniforms and Upper School students have a dress code.

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Mar. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$30,000

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition levels by grade.

% on Financial Aid

17%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$19,423

Acceptance Rate

59%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Mrs. Laura Murphy

Admissions Associate

Mrs. Dana Calo

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

13 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

CheeringCross Country

E-sportsFootball

GolfLacrosse

SoccerSwimming

TennisTrack and Field

Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

47 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Lower School - Community Service and "Caring Kids Club"Lower School - Enrichment Clusters

Lower School - Fifth Grade Leadership CampLower School - Prime Time Afterschool Enrichment

Lower School - Safety PatrolLower School - Science Olympiad

Lower School - Student Admissions TeamLower School - World Peace Games

Middle School - Community ServiceMiddle School - Eighth Grade Leadership Camp

Middle School - National Junior Honor SocietyMiddle School - Science Olympiad

Middle School - Student CouncilUpper School - Academic Olympics

Upper School - Community ServiceUpper School - Cum Laude

Upper School - Forensics (debate)Upper School - Green Club

Upper School - JournalismUpper School - Leadership

Upper School - Literary MagazineUpper School - Model United Nations

Upper School - National Honor SocietyUpper School - Robotics

Upper School - Science OlympiadUpper School - Senior Video

Upper School - Seniors Leadership CampUpper School - Spirit Club

Upper School - Sports MedicineUpper School - Thespian Society

Upper School - World LanguagesUpper School - Yearbook

Show More (16)Hide

Arts and Music Programs:

Lower School - Orchestra/Chorus/BandLower School - Theater

Middle School - ChoirMiddle School - Jazz Band

Middle School - OrchestraMiddle School - Theater

Upper School - Artist CircleUpper School - Choir

Upper School - Jazz BandUpper School - Orchestra

Upper School - TheaterUpper School - Tri-M Music Society

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Lower School - IntramuralsMiddle School - Athletic Teams

Upper School - Athletic Teams

School Notes

The Out-of-Door Academy is an independent, college preparatory school with three campuses in Sarasota, FL.
The Historic Siesta Key Campus (Pre-K through Grade 5) is located on Siesta Key, 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242.
The Lower School Campus on Clark Road (Pre-K through Grade 2) is located at 11011Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
The Middle School (6-8) and Upper Schools (9-12) are located on the beautiful Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34240.
Our mission: To nurture learners to be their best selves through impactful, challenging, and purposeful growth experiences in a supportive and unique environment.
100% of ODA graduates are accepted to four-year universities.

School Mascot: Thor

As an independent, coeducational college preparatory school located on three campuses in Sarasota, Florida. The Out-of-Door Academy has been serving families since 1924.
Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students enjoy the ambience of the Out-of-Door campus on Siesta Key, 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242. On this campus, trees shelter historic and modern buildings that house classrooms and a first-rate technology infrastructure. This combination of old and new creates an environment that fosters both the sense of security so necessary for learning in younger children and the teaching techniques to challenge them.
Opened in 2024, our Clark Road Campus at 11011 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241 (Pre-kindergarten through second grade) is situated on 100 acres of open space primed for learning and exploration. Adjacent to Myakka State Park, immersion in nature underpins our approach to learning, play, and community. Each classroom has its own multipurpose outdoor classroom space accompanied by versatile technology, enabling our learners to excel wherever they find their optimal learning environment.
Academic, athletic, and extra-curricular activities for sixth through twelfth grade students are centered on The Out-of-Door Academy's collegiate-style Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34240, which opened in 1996. Building on programs designed to stretch and challenge individual students in the Lower Schools, Middle, and Upper Schools focus on preparing students to move on to college. Out-of-Door graduates leave us having developed the responsibility, confidence, and independence crucial for successful adaptation to college life.
Preparing students for college and life entails more than a rigorous academic program. All campuses offer an array of opportunities necessary to help students maximize their full potential. Out-of-Door recognized success in achieving consistently high levels of student participation in a diverse program of academic, athletic, artistic, extra-curricular, and community service opportunities-a critical element in enabling students to reach their goals.
The Florida Council of Independent Schools cited Out-of-Door's success in establishing an institutional culture true to its mission: "Exemplary student behavior reflects the core values of the school and the high standards to which the student body and faculty hold themselves. We commend The Out-of-Door Academy in truly achieving its mission..."

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Out-of-Door Academy cost?

The Out-of-Door Academy's tuition is approximately $30,000 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of The Out-of-Door Academy?

The acceptance rate of The Out-of-Door Academy is 59%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. The Out-of-Door Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Florida with low acceptance rates.

What sports does The Out-of-Door Academy offer?

The Out-of-Door Academy offers 13 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, E-sports, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. The Out-of-Door Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Florida for most sports offered.

What is The Out-of-Door Academy's ranking?

The Out-of-Door Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Florida for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for The Out-of-Door Academy?

The application deadline for The Out-of-Door Academy is Mar. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Mar. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5 5/18/2013

My son is just finishing his tenth year at Out-of-Door, and I can honestly say that every year seems to get better and better. He is challenged in the classroom, on the athletic fields and on the stage. More importantly, he loves his teachers. One of his favorite things to do is return to the lower school campus to visit his teachers from the younger grades. And now that he is at the age when he does not necessarily want to hear my advice, I know that he is surrounded by adults (teachers, coaches and administrators) who know him and care for him, and whose advice he values. As we head into high school, I am excited for him to be able to further develop his passions in an environment like Out-of-Door. As a family, we love the school, and could not ask for more for our child!!

- Posted by Parent - sarah

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Sarasota, FL is $16,370 for elementary schools and $18,436 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Sarasota, FL is 89% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).