Out-of-Door Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Out-of-Door Academy |
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United States
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| 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/ |
The Out-of-Door Academy is a special school in Sarasota, Florida. It helps students get ready for college. Kids from pre-kindergarten all the way to 12th grade go here. The school has two main locations in Sarasota. One is on Siesta Key, and the other is in Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch campus is called the Uihlein Campus.
Contents
History of the Academy
The Out-of-Door School started in 1924. It was founded by Fanneal Harrison and Catherine Gavin. They followed ideas from a Belgian teacher named Ovide Decroly. He believed in "progressive education." This meant learning by doing and spending time outdoors.
Early Days on Siesta Key
In the beginning, classes and playtime were mostly outside. This happened on the school's 20-acre campus on Siesta Key. If the weather was bad, students used wooden cabins for lessons. These cabins also served as places for students to sleep. Over time, more classes moved indoors.
Becoming a Nonprofit School
In 1977, about 120 families bought the school. They changed it into a nonprofit organization. This means it's run for the benefit of students, not for making money. At this time, the school was renamed The Out-of-Door Academy.
Growth and New Campuses
A new campus was built in Lakewood Ranch in 1996. The Uihlein family generously gave the land for this new campus. In 2000, students in 7th and 8th grades moved to this new location. By 2008, it became known as the Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch. The 6th grade also moved there in 2012.
School Accreditation
The Out-of-Door Academy is approved by important groups. These include the Florida Council of Independent Schools. It is also a member of the Cum Laude Society. This society recognizes excellent academic achievement.
School Campuses
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Out of Door School
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 Location in Florida
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| Location | Sarasota, Florida |
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| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Ralph Twitchell |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001276 |
| Added to NRHP | October 28, 1994 |
The Out-of-Door Academy has two main campuses. Each campus serves different grade levels. Both campuses have been updated with modern features.
Siesta Key Lower School Campus
The Siesta Key campus is 5 acres big. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. It is located on a barrier island in Sarasota County, Florida. Between 2008 and 2021, this campus was renovated. A new three-story building was added for classes. A covered sports area was also built. The school has installed over 550 solar panels here. This helps the school use clean energy.
Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch
The Uihlein Campus is much larger, at 90 acres. It is located in Lakewood Ranch. This campus is home to the Middle and Upper Schools. It serves students from 6th to 12th grade. In 2017, the school worked with Mote Marine Laboratory. They created a special Marine Biology classroom. It has large aquariums and a touch tank for students. In 2020, 705 solar panels were added to this campus. Another 905 panels were added in 2021. These panels greatly reduce the school's energy use.
Buildings and Facilities
The Uihlein Campus has 12 main buildings. These include a performing arts center. It has a special "Black Box Theater." There is also the Savidge/Bowers Library. Students can use two Dart STEM labs. There is an augmented reality lab and makerspace labs. The Dick Vitale Family Student Center is a place for students to gather. The Petrik Family Commons is another common area.
Sports Facilities
The campus also has many sports facilities. These include the Petrik Thunderdome. There is also the Gelbman Family Wellness Center. Other facilities are the Uihlein Sports Complex and the Dietrich Family Sports Complex. Students can play baseball at the Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field. There is also the Malisoff Tennis Center. The Thunder Athletic Complex and Fox Field House are also available.
Recent Campus Updates
Construction for a performing arts center began in 2008. It opened at the Uihlein Campus in 2009. Renovations also started on the Siesta Key campus in 2008. New sports facilities were built at that time too. A new Middle School Campus was finished in 2020. This added over 13,500 square feet of learning space. It includes a STEM lab, an augmented reality lab, and an art studio.
What Students Learn
The Out-of-Door Academy offers a wide range of subjects. This is called a liberal arts program. It helps students learn about many different topics.
Core Subjects
Students study mathematics, English, and science. They also learn social studies. Foreign languages are an important part of the curriculum. Students can choose from Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese. Music and visual and performing arts are also offered. For students who want a challenge, Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses are available.
STEM Science Programs
On September 2, 2014, the school started two new facilities. These were the Dick Vitale Family Student Center and the Dart Foundation STEM Center.
Student Center
The Dick Vitale Family Student Center was designed to be like a college center. Students can meet there to study, work together, and socialize. It's a place for them to connect outside of class.
STEM Center
The Dart Foundation STEM Center focuses on project-based learning. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This center helps students learn these subjects in a hands-on way. They work on projects that combine these different areas.
School Athletics
The Out-of-Door Academy's sports teams are called the Thunder. They compete against other schools. The school has a strong history of winning championships.
Team Achievements
The 2021 Baseball Team won the FHSAA Class 2A state title. The 2018 Boys Tennis Team also earned the FHSAA Class 1A state title. The ODA Football team won the 2023 SSAA 4A State Championship. The school holds 12 state champion titles in individual sports. These include tennis, golf, and track & field.
Sports Offered
The Thunder teams compete in many sports. These include baseball, basketball, and cheerleading. Students can also join cross country, football, and golf. Other sports are lacrosse, sailing, and soccer. Softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball are also available.
Student Activities
Students at The Out-of-Door Academy can join many clubs and activities. These help them explore their interests.
Clubs and Groups
Some popular groups include the art club and drama club. There is a community service club. Students can also join the newspaper or yearbook staff. Other groups are the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honors Society. The Key Club and student council are also available. Upper school students must complete 100 hours of community service to graduate.
School Awards
The Out-of-Door Academy has received several awards. These recognize the school's quality and achievements.
Notable Recognitions
In 2006, the school was recognized as a Cum Laude Society School. This honor is given to schools with excellent academic programs. Sarasota magazine voted The Out-of-Door Academy "Best Private School." This happened in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
