- SARASOTA SCHOOL OF ARTS/SCIENCES — 1.6 mi · Grades 6–8 · 747 students
- SARASOTA MILITARY ACADEMY — 1.8 mi · Grades 6–12 · 997 students
- SARASOTA HIGH SCHOOL — 2.1 mi · Grades 9–12 · 2,359 students
- SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 2.1 mi · Grades K–5 · 696 students
- SUNCOAST SCHOOL FOR INNOVATIVE STUDIES — 2.1 mi · Grades K–5 · 96 students
- CHILDREN FIRST — 2.3 mi · Grades PK–PK · 24 students
- ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 2.5 mi · Grades PK–5 · 453 students
- BAY HAVEN SCHOOL OF BASICS PLUS — 2.5 mi · Grades K–5 · 547 students
| Metric | Sarasota County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 45,077 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 62 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,458/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 12% below avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 74 rated districts in FL → 87th percentile → 9/10.
Source: Florida Dept. of Education FAST ELA & Mathematics, 2024. Full methodology →
About Sarasota County School District
Sarasota County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 34236 in Sarasota, Florida. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 34236. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
Sarasota County School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 9/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Florida’s FAST ELA & Mathematics assessments (2024 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Florida is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Sarasota County School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Florida on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 34236 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 34236
Children in zip code 34236 are assigned to Sarasota County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 34236, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Sarasota County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Florida districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Sarasota
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Sarasota County School District serves zip code 34236, homes in and around zip code 34236 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Florida, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Sarasota County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 34236.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Sarasota County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 34236 data.