Lower & Middle/Upper School Campuses

The Out-of-Door Academy's goal is to prepare students for the challenges of college and life, through a process that focuses on the development of responsible, self-confident, intellectually curious young people who are prepared and willing to become leaders. The Out-of-Door Academy Middle and Upper School experience includes a core college preparatory curriculum, electives in the performing arts, fine arts, sciences, and humanities, as well as the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic, extracurricular, and community service activities.

Lower School Siesta Key Campus
The Out-of-Door Lower School strives for academic excellence in a warm, responsive atmosphere that challenges each student to explore and enrich their academic and creative talents. Embracing the mission to develop the "whole child" intellectually, socially, and physically, programs and activities reflect an ambitious age appropriate curriculum, while still maintaining a focus on nurturing and mentoring each individual. We believe the key to future personal and academic success is the early establishment of self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and an enjoyment of learning. It is with these goals in mind that Out-of-Door's caring professionals present a balanced program of academic, artistic, and athletic activities. The quality of the faculty and curriculum are the key factors necessary for the positive, motivating, educational experience that is so essential during these years.

The Out-of-Door Lower School campus on Siesta Key has been cited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools for its "wonderful ambience as it fuses old and new," and it continues to evolve as an outstanding educational facility. Portions of the school date back to 1924 when the school was founded. Modern facilities include newly expanded classrooms, a 17,000+-volume library, music room, art studios, technology labs and mobile labtop carts, science labs, and a studio for the student-run campus TV station, WODA.

The standard curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, richly balanced with special classes in Spanish, art, music, library, technology, and physical education classes. After-school programs for the Lower School students include an intramural sports program for grades 2-6 and the Encore Arts Program, which offers students a variety of classes in the visual and performing arts.

Middle/Upper School Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch
Opened in 1996, The Out-of-Door Academy Uihlein Campus at Lakewood Ranch Campus houses the Middle and Upper School programs. The collegiate, modern facility incorporates the library and media center, science labs, a computer lab, wireless network laptops, art studios, music rooms, an impressive gymnasium and playing fields, as well as modern classrooms and public areas.

The maturity and self-reliance of Out-of-Door students creates many unique opportunities in the Middle and Upper School. A Summer Leadership Camp is offered to all incoming eighth grade students to encourage teamwork, self-esteem, self-confidence, and leadership. Out-of-Door seniors participate in a Senior Seminar, a full-year course modeled on the college seminar, which provides an intro into ethical thinking and inquiry through the lenses of spirituality, social justice, and the arts. Second semester seniors also complete a major research and an off-campus internship.

The Upper School campus graduated its first class in 1999, and has already begun to establish a strong record of college admissions. 100% of the 46-member Class of 2009 was admitted to at least one Phi Beta Kappa institution, earning merit based scholarship and Bright Futures awards totaling $3,370,586. This represents an average four-year award of approximately $81,910 for the 91% of the senior class that earned academic scholarships with 80% of the senior class qualifying for the Florida Bright Futures awards.