Preschool and Elementary in bradenton/Sarasota

http://www.greatschools.net

Check out this website. It tells you everything you need to know from staff, students, ratios, school test scores etc...

The school that got the highest ranking scores for kingergaten readiness is in Bradenton and it's called Little Footsteps at the Ranch. My son didn't go there. He went to A Readiness Learning Academy. They ranked pretty high too for VPK. The only problem with that school is they have a little over a 2 hour nap period, which my son didn't nap so he didn't care for that school too much. Most of the schools around here are full so you have to get in early or be put on a waiting list.

Good Luck :)

My son went to Kinnan last year and it was HORRIBLE! We moved to Sarasota for this year so that he could go to a better school! As far as preschools go my 4 yer old went to Ellen Meade last year and we loved it! The teachers and staff are wonderful. HTH Good Luck.

For elementary schools, i suggest you give Rowlett Magnet Elementary a good look. You can schedule a tour, talk to the principal, etc. It is in Manatee Cty, so anyone in Manatee can choose to go there, but busses are of course limited to certain areas. It is our first year there, and I WISH we had gone there sooner (we transfered my 3rd grader from her districted school). As a newcomer to Rowlett, I will leave it up to other parents to share their experiences, but from what I can tell, parent communication is fantastic-the teachers and principal are super-accessible to you, they have fantastic programs--and a wonderful student recognition/reward behavior system that has been modeled after Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In fact, Covey is partnering with Rowlett for a seven habits/effective schools new book!
I have also been told by parents that this school is run so much like a private school.....I think you will be pleased. And don't worry about it's location (9th St East, kind of behind the Marshalls/Chilis near DeSoto mall)

Good luck!

I have to say that for a Public school, Gocio Elementary in Sarasota is AWESOME!! My daughter went from K-5 and is now in 7th and my 2 sons are in 4th and 1st at Gocio. I am going on my 8th year of having students in this school and it only gets better each year. For students who are a bit above their level in academics, they have Advanced Level placement. My children have been in both regular placement and advanced placement and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the curriculum, the teachers and the principal.

However, to make the best decision for your family, you should tour several school and ask lots of questions!!

Good Luck!!

Hi M.,

My name is A. and I went to private catholic school all my life. I too thought that was the only way to go with regards to my children. I can tell you from expience that there are great public schoolshere in Florida.

My youngest is 6 and she is in first grade at Kinnan Elementary. She attended Kindergarten there too. I am delighted with the teachers, the curriculum, the dicipline and anything elese you can think of. They are very much into parent participation.

We sent her to La Petite for preschool and Ms. Ruthie is the director there. Absolutely thrilled with them too. If my daughter begs to go to school and wants me to leave her longer than I know they are doing something right.

Don't worry everything will be great for your little one.

A.

Hi M.. I know your inquiry was posted back in August and it's now December, but I just saw it for the first time. So I thought I'd go ahead and respond just in case you're still checking. My little boy just turned five in October, and he had always been home with me until this year. He has been going to VPK at Kids R Kids (S.R. 70 and Lakewood Ranch Blvd.) since August; he's in Ms. Sue's morning class (8:30 to 11:30) and it's been a very positive experience. Kids R Kids has VPK classes starting at 8:30 and at 9:00...each class is three hours per day. All the kids in his class go just until 11:30, but I understand that some of the other VPK kids stay all day...VPK for three hours and then day care. My husband, son and I would all highly recommend Kids R Kids. Also, I'm sure you know about Florida's free VPK program: don't pay for preschool the year before he's old enough for kindergarten -- do VPK!! As far as elementary schools go, I don't know anything about Kinnan, but my son will go to Gene Witt on Rye Road next year when he starts kindergarten. I've never heard one bad thing about that school. i've talked to countless moms in that area (Mill Creek) and everyone praises Witt Elementary. I've been a substitute teacher there once, and at other elementary schools. Gene Witt and Willis (in Lakewood Ranch) were absolutely fantastic substitute teaching experiences. Hope this helps; good luck! L.