Local Schools Near Moorings, Sarasota, 34231

The Moorings is a community located in Sarasota, Florida, with the ZIP code 34231. This area is part of Sarasota County, which is served by the Sarasota County School District. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near the Moorings community, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a firsthand impression.

I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable proximity to the 34231 ZIP code, generally within a 5-10 mile radius, as this covers most schools that families in the Moorings community might consider. Schools are categorized by level (elementary, middle, high), and I’ll include both public and private options where applicable.

Elementary Schools Near Moorings, Sarasota, FL (34231)

1. Gulf Gate Elementary School

   • Address: 6500 S Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from the Moorings community
   • Type: Public
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Gulf Gate Elementary is known for its strong academic programs and community involvement. It has a diverse student body and offers various extracurricular activities. The school consistently performs above the state average in reading and math proficiency.
   • Enrollment: Around 700 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 14:1

2. Wilkinson Elementary School

   • Address: 3400 Wilkinson Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Public
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Wilkinson Elementary focuses on personalized learning and has programs to support student growth in core subjects. It also offers before- and after-school care. Test scores are near the state average.
   • Enrollment: Around 500 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 13:1

3. Sarasota Lutheran School

   • Address: 5651 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34233 (near 34231)
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Private (Religious - Lutheran)
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools; parent reviews on Niche are generally positive (around 4/5)
   • Details: This private school offers a faith-based education with a focus on academic excellence and character development. Class sizes are smaller compared to public schools.
   • Enrollment: Around 150 students
   • Tuition: Contact the school for current rates (typically $5,000-$8,000/year for elementary grades)

   Middle Schools Near Moorings, Sarasota, FL (34231)

4. Brookside Middle School

   • Address: 3636 S Shade Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239 (close to 34231)
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Public
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Brookside Middle School offers a variety of academic and elective courses, including advanced placement options. It has a focus on STEM education and extracurriculars like sports and arts. Test scores are slightly above the state average.
   • Enrollment: Around 800 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 16:1

5. Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences

   • Address: 645 Central Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236 (slightly further but accessible)
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Public Charter
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This charter school emphasizes arts and sciences alongside core academics. It’s a smaller school with a focus on individualized learning. Admission may require an application or lottery.
   • Enrollment: Around 300 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 14:1

6. Sarasota Lutheran School (as mentioned above)

   • Covers middle school grades (6-8) with a private, faith-based curriculum.

   High Schools Near Moorings, Sarasota, FL (34231)

7. Riverview High School

   • Address: 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Public
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Riverview High School is one of the larger high schools in Sarasota County and offers a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. It has strong athletic programs and extracurriculars. Graduation rates are above the state average at around 90%.
   • Enrollment: Around 2,500 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 18:1

8. Sarasota High School

   • Address: 2155 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34239
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Public
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Sarasota High offers a variety of academic tracks, including career and technical education programs. It’s known for its performing arts programs and has a diverse student population.
   • Enrollment: Around 2,000 students
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 17:1

9. Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School

   • Address: 4171 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Moorings
   • Type: Private (Religious - Catholic)
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools; Niche gives it an A- overall based on parent and student reviews
   • Details: This private Catholic school emphasizes college preparatory education with a faith-based foundation. It offers AP courses, sports, and extracurriculars.
   • Enrollment: Around 500 students
   • Tuition: Approximately $12,000-$15,000/year (contact school for exact figures)

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Sources: Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org, which uses a 1-10 scale based on test scores, equity, and college readiness. Niche.com provides letter grades (A-F) and incorporates user reviews. Always cross-check with the Florida Department of Education for official school report cards.
   • School Boundaries: Public school assignments depend on zoning, which can be confirmed via the Sarasota County Schools website (www.sarasotacountyschools.net) using your specific address in the Moorings community.
   • Charter and Private Options: Sarasota has several charter schools (like Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences) and private schools (like Cardinal Mooney) that may require applications, entrance exams, or tuition. These can be great alternatives if public schools don’t meet your needs.
   • Special Programs: Many schools in the area offer magnet programs, IB, AP, or career-focused tracks. For example, Riverview High School’s IB program is highly regarded.

   How to Research Further

   • Visit Schools: Schedule tours or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment and meet staff.
   • Check Sarasota County Schools Website: Use the school locator tool to confirm zoning for your address.
   • Parent Reviews: Websites like Niche.com and GreatSchools.org include parent and student feedback.
   • Florida School Grades: The Florida Department of Education assigns letter grades (A-F) to schools annually based on performance metrics (available at www.fldoe.org).

   If you have a specific address within the Moorings community or are looking for schools with particular programs (e.g., special needs, gifted education, or sports focus), let me know, and I can refine the search further. Additionally, if you’d like information on preschools, daycare options, or after-school programs, I can include those as well.