Out-of-Door Academy facts for kids

The Out-of-Door Academy is a school in Sarasota, Florida, that helps students get ready for college. It teaches students from pre-kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. The school has two campuses in the Sarasota area: one on Siesta Key and another in Lakewood Ranch, which is called the Uihlein Campus.

Quick facts for kids The Out-of-Door Academy
Location
Sarasota , Florida United States
Information
School type	Independent, Preparatory
Established	1924
CEEB code	101579
Head of school	Debra Otey
Teaching staff	75.4 (on a FTE basis)A0301145
Grades	Pre-K–12
Gender	Coed
Enrollment	718 (2015-2016)
Student to teacher ratio	9.3
Color(s)	Navy, white
Athletics	FHSAA 1A (SSAC for football)
Mascot	Thor
Team name	Thunder
Newspaper	The Bolt
Yearbook	The Sandpiper
Website	http://www.oda.edu/

School History

The Out-of-Door School started in 1924. It was founded by Fanneal Harrison and Catherine Gavin. They followed a new way of teaching called "progressive education." This idea came from a Belgian teacher named Ovide Decroly.

At first, classes and free time were mostly spent outdoors. The school had a 20-acre campus on Siesta Key. Wooden cabins were used as classrooms when the weather was bad. Over time, more classes moved indoors.

In 1977, about 120 school families bought the school. They turned it into a nonprofit organization. This means the school uses its money to improve education, not to make a profit for owners. At this point, the school became known as Out-of-Door Academy.

New Campuses and Growth

A new campus was built in Lakewood Ranch in 1996. The Uihlein family generously gave the land for this new campus. In 2000, seventh and eighth grades moved to the new Lakewood Ranch campus.

By 2008, this campus became known as the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch. Later, in 2012, the sixth grade also moved to the Uihlein Campus.

The Out-of-Door Academy is officially recognized by important education groups. These include the Florida Council of Independent Schools. It is also a member of the Cum Laude Society, which honors excellent students.

School Campuses

Out of Door School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Florida
Location	Sarasota, Florida
Built	1924
Architect	Ralph Twitchell
NRHP reference No.	94001276
Added to NRHP	October 28, 1994

The school has two main campuses. The Siesta Key Lower School Campus is 5 acres big. It is so old and important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This campus is located on a barrier island called Siesta Key.

The Uihlein Campus is much larger, covering 90 acres. It is located in Lakewood Ranch. This campus is home to the Middle and Upper Schools, serving students from 6th to 12th grade.

Cool Features at ODA

In 2017, the school worked with Mote Marine Laboratory. Together, they created a special Marine Biology classroom. This classroom has six huge aquariums and a touch tank. Students can interact with marine life there.

The school is also very eco-friendly. The Historic Siesta Key Campus has over 550 solar panels. This is one of the biggest solar projects in the area. In 2020, 705 more solar panels were added to the Uihlein campus. This helped reduce the school's energy use by 65%. In 2021, another 905 panels were installed.

Both campuses have been updated over the years. The Siesta Key Campus was renovated between 2008 and 2021. This included building a new three-story academic building. A covered athletic pavilion was also added.

The Uihlein Campus has 12 main buildings. These include a performing arts center with The Black Box Theater. There is also the Savidge/Bowers Library and two Dart STEM labs. Students can use an augmented reality lab and makerspace labs. The campus also has the Dick Vitale Family Student Center.

New buildings for the Middle School were finished in 2020. These added over 13,500 square feet of learning space. The new area includes a STEM lab, an augmented reality/AV lab, and a makerspace. There is also an art studio and student commons.

What Students Learn

The academy offers a well-rounded education. Students learn subjects like math, English, science, and social studies. They can also study foreign languages such as Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese. Music and visual and performing arts are also part of the program. For students who want an extra challenge, Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses are available.

STEM and Innovation

In 2014, the school started building the Dick Vitale Family Student Center. This center was founded by Dick Vitale and the Dart Foundation STEM Center. It was designed to be a college-like place. Students can meet there between classes or find a quiet spot to study.

School Sports

The Out-of-Door Academy's sports teams are called the Thunder. They compete in many different sports. The 2021 Baseball Team won the FHSAA Class 2A state title. The 2018 Boys Tennis Team also won the FHSAA Class 1A state title. ODA's Football team won the 2023 SSAA 4A State Championship. Overall, ODA holds 12 state champion titles in individual sports. These include tennis, golf, and track & field.

Students can join teams for:

• baseball
• basketball
• cheerleading
• cross country
• football
• golf
• lacrosse
• sailing
• soccer
• softball
• swimming
• tennis
• track & field
• volleyball

Clubs and Activities

Students at Out-of-Door Academy can join many different clubs and activities. Some popular groups include:

• art club
• community service club
• drama club
• National Honor Society
• newspaper
• Relay for Life
• science/environmental club
• student council
• Tri-M Music Honors Society
• Key Club
• Invisible Children
• yearbook

Upper school students must complete 100 hours of Community service to graduate. This helps them give back to their community.

Awards and Recognition

In 2006, Out-of-Door Academy was recognized as a Cum Laude Society School. This means it is part of a special group that recognizes excellent students. The school is also often voted "Best Private School" by Sarasota magazine.