The Out-of-Door Academy

The Out-of-Door Academy is an independent, college preparatory school with two campuses in Sarasota, FL.
The Lower School is located on the Historic Siesta Key Campus, 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242.
The Middle School and Upper Schools are located on the beautiful Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34240.
Our mission is to provide an environment in which students strive to achieve high academic goals and to build character through a balanced program of academics, athletics, and the arts.
100% of ODA graduates are accepted to four-year universities.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked FL School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 609 students
  • Acceptance rate: 65%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Year Founded
1924
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
609 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
17%
State avg.: 46%
Students by Grade
The Out-of-Door Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
75 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
68%
Average Class Size
9 students
Number of AP Courses
40 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
English - AP Language and Composition, English - AP Literature and Composition, English - Honors American Literature, English - Honors British Literature, English - Honors European Literature, Fine Arts - AP Studio Art: 2-D Design, Fine Arts - AP Studio Art: Drawing, Fine Arts - AP Studio Art: Photography, Foreign Language - AP Latin, Foreign Language - AP Spanish Language, Foreign Language - AP Spanish Literature, Foreign Language - Honors Mandarin Chinese V, Foreign Language - Honors Spanish II, Foreign Language - Honors Spanish III, Foreign Language - Honors Spanish IV, Foreign Language - Honors Spanish V, History - AP European History, History - AP United States Government and Politics, History - AP United States History, History - Honors International Studies, Math - AP Calculus AB, Math - AP Calculus BC, Math - AP Statistics, Math - Honors Algebra II, Math - Honors Geometry, Math - Honors Pre-Calculus, Music - AP Music Theory and Composition, Science - AP Biology, Science - AP Chemistry, Science - AP Computer Science Principle, Science - AP Physics I, Science - AP Physics II, Science - Honors Biology, Science - Honors Chemistry, Science - Honors Physics, Science – AP Environmental Science, Social Science - AP Economics, Social Science - AP Macroeconomics, Social Science - AP Microeconomics
Average SAT score
1285
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Lower and Middle School students wear uniforms and Upper School students have a dress code.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Mar. 1 / rolling
Tuition Notes
Tuition levels by grade.
% on Financial Aid
21%
Acceptance Rate
65%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Mrs. Laura Murphy
Admissions Associate
Mrs. Dana Calo

Sports

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 Camp, Lower School - Prime Time Afterschool Enrichment, Lower School - Safety Patrol, Lower School - Science Olympiad, Lower School - Student Admissions Team, Lower School - World Peace Games, Middle School - Community Service, Middle School - Eighth Grade Leadership Camp, Middle School - National Junior Honor Society, Middle School - Science Olympiad, Middle School - Student Council, Upper School - Academic Olympics, Upper School - Community Service, Upper School - Cum Laude, Upper School - Forensics (debate), Upper School - Green Club, Upper School - Journalism, Upper School - Leadership, Upper School - Literary Magazine, Upper School - Model United Nations, Upper School - National Honor Society, Upper School - Robotics, Upper School - Science Olympiad, Upper School - Senior Video, Upper School - Seniors Leadership Camp, Upper School - Spirit Club, Upper School - Sports Medicine, Upper School - Thespian Society, Upper School - World Languages, Upper School - Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Lower School - Orchestra/Chorus/Band, Lower School - Theater, Middle School - Choir, Middle School - Jazz Band, Middle School - Orchestra, Middle School - Theater, Upper School - Artist Circle, Upper School - Choir, Upper School - Jazz Band, Upper School - Orchestra, Upper School - Theater, Upper School - Tri-M Music Society

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Lower School - Intramurals, Middle School - Athletic Teams, Upper School - Athletic Teams

School Notes

  • As an independent, coeducational college preparatory school located on two 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 original Out-of-Door Academy campus on Siesta Key, 444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242. Here, towering banyan trees shelter historic buildings which now house modern 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.
  • 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 School, Middle, and Upper Schools focus on preparing students to move on to college. Out-of-Door Academy 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. Both campuses offer the 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 is a critical element in enabling students to reach their goals.
  • The Florida Council of Independent Schools cited Out-of-Door Academy'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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of The Out-of-Door Academy?
The acceptance rate of The Out-of-Door Academy is 65%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. 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 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, E-sports, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, 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 AP courses offered, 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  
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!!
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked FL School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 609 students
  • Acceptance rate: 65%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Sarasota, FL is $11,150 for elementary schools and $11,259 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Sarasota, FL is 87% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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