Sarasota Middle School

I am a Middle School teacher, I bounce around Sarasota County School district working at various schools as a relief teacher. Sarasota Middle School has the least amount of bulling, it has the best grades, a great sports, music and IT program. If I had to say what school is the best in the county for your child I would not hesitate to recommend Sarasota Middle School. Some of the others are good, but really do not compare, the school is like a family, it’s a happy place, this seems to works as the students get higher grades and go onto to better things.

I think that Sarasota middle school is perfectly fine and they do a great job with everything! People have been complaining of drug use and fights but why blame the school!!!! If the students do anything wrong on school grounds they should be punished the school she have no part in that except punishing the kids and doing what's necessary. DO NOT BLAME THE SCHOOL!

I have had a great experience there with both my son finished 6-8 and my daughter now in 7th. 6th grade was somewhat hard for both socially, but by 7th it all worked out and they loved it. They are both very well prepared. Son went to Pineview, no problem with transition. They were both PGA. My only complaint would be no field trips in a 4 year cumulative. Planned twice for fossil dig in different years but flooding interfered...not their fault! The teachers have been fabulous, including those on electives which are not part of PGA. My daughter loves it and enjoys every moment of the day. They have developed relationships with the teachers, and will cherish them throughout their life....that is a plus to the PGA system, which has a team approach. I think a team approach is a win-win!

I've heard about the fights and pupils being expelled but my daughter is really enjoying this school. She is now in her second year {7th grade and loves every minute of the day. She looks forward to going to school, has made lots of friends and gets good grades. She does her homework every evening and never complains. I'm very happy with the teachers. They are very professional. My daughter loves them!

As a student who will be graduating in a few weeks, I can say that I had a fantastic time at this school, however it does have some notable flaws. With the exception of one teacher who I won't give the name of, every teacher I have had was absolutely amazing, and I have forged some great connections and friendships with them. When my science teacher had to leave last year, I was legitamentally heartbroken over his absence, that's the level of connection I've been able to feel with my teachers here. I've had numerous academic opportunities and experiences that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. And the band, OOH the band. I can not think of a more tight knit group of individuals, and a more fun class. Same with the teachers, I have grown a greater connection through individuals at this school, through the many opportunities it provided. There are some flaws with this school, currently at the very least. This year they decided to take about five minutes from each period to create a block of time where we do iReady. Despite what some people say below, no one really "worships" iReady. All I hear from teachers is contempt and anger over it. It is the single greatest waste of my time, a waste of the teachers time, and a waste of money. It is the one notable glaring flaw with this school. The school doesn't expel students randomly and without reason. Said expulsions were over death threats. But the school isn't too sensitive, I was able to wear a shirt of Kirby smoking that dank coosh weed for the uninitiated, and almost none of the teachers commented on it. The staff is very understanding, if a tad strict at times. It's a very rigid system, which leads to a few annoyances. Once I went to the office for an ice pack, but I didn't have a pass so I had to walk all the way back to class to get one. However none of it is to such a degree where I feel like I'm being treated inhumanly. Condescended to at points, sure, but isn't that all middle schools. In conclusion, send your child to this school if possible. It is an amazing experience, which has prepared me to move onto high school and onward properly. It was rated the best school in 2017 for a reason guys.

I agree that Sarasota Middle can be a great experience if you are on the PGA Gifted teams. If not your child will be treated like a second class citizen. They are segregated from the Gifted Students, Do not participate in Field Trips that the Gifted Students do. Do not participate in appreciation days that the PGA students do. Have assigned tables at lunch not of their choosing while PGA students have complete freedom including the opportunity to sit outside. It is a terrible experience for your child unless they are in the PGA gifted program. The sad part is any student can be labeled "Gifted" if they pay a private psychiatrist to say they are. This is socioeconomic discrimination in our schools.

I am a former student with many friends that have and do attend Sarasota Middle School. I've heard many things such as sexual assault occurring and nothing being done and excessive drug abuse. Although Sarasota Middle School comes off as one of Sarasota County's number 1 middle school, the school has unfair punishment and is completely out of hand. Rumored Heroin incidents, students being expelled and sent to alternative schools like its no big deal, and completely unfair ruling. In the school year of 2014-2015, there have been multiple explosions for drug related incidents and in the past couple years or so there's more than I can count on my toes and fingers. If you're looking for your child to stay out of trouble and not get involved with illegal things such as drugs and experiences like fights happen right in front of their eyes, Sarasota Middle School is not for your child. Good luck.

I've been going to SMS since 6th grade I'm now finishing 8th grade and I've really enjoyed the teachers, the students, and my experience there. If you pick friends who are actually good people you will probable also have a great experience.

This school is complete trash. I am now graduating from this school and I am so excited to finally leave this school. I started having depression because of this school and my teachers constantly discouraging me. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL! If you do, good luck.

I do not like this school. I go there and fortunately it's my last year there. I'm in 8th grade and I've been going there since I was in 6th. If you are not in the gifted program, don't bother going there. One of the worst schools ever.