News

ODA Students learn about the life cycle with a hands-on approach: watching caterpillars become butterflies. Click for a video of the butterfly release celebration.

Convocation is an Out-of-Door tradition that began in 2002 as a way to acknowledge the responsibilities of the senior class as the leaders of the school community. In 2004, Convocation became an all-school event where each class participated in the ceremony. This year, students in grades 6-12 gathered to honor these student body leaders. For photos from Convocation, visit our Facebook photo album. Meet the Class of 2022 as they process in this short clip from the ceremony.

The Out-of-Door Academy College Counseling Office is pleased to announce that senior Connor Lea has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. In addition, Megan Dowdell ’22 and Samantha Malcolm ’22 have been recognized as Commended Scholars, and Andres Espinel ’22 was named a National Merit Hispanic Scholar.

Guest speakers Zi Burns ’22 and Mrs. Vicki Druehl shared their personal experiences with ovarian cancer at a special assembly for Upper School students, faculty, and staff.

Katya Sommers ’26 and Hays Wilson ’26 earned an Honorable Mention award in NPR’s nationwide contest, earning a top spot out of 2,600 entries. Listen to their podcast here.

Now in its third decade, the Eighth Grade Leadership Retreat is a capstone experience for Out-of-Door’s middle schoolers. Click to see photos.

ODA’s Thunder Cup is a fun-filled, yearlong tournament between the four grades in the Upper School. Now considered one of the school’s most exciting traditions, the concept for the class competition was created in 2006 by Mr. Tim Brewer, ODA’s Upper School Director of Student Activities, in an effort to increase school spirit, help connect students to the school and bond with classmates, and inject an element of fun into the school day.

As we begin the 2021-2022 school year with a record high student body, we are excited to introduce the new faculty and staff members who have joined the Out-of-Door community.

Saraiah Walkes '21 signs with EMU

Samantha Malcolm '22 is a high-school student at The Out-of-Door Academy and Patrice Cohen is a former corporate executive.

Thunder junior Logan Tribble and Coach Mike Matthews received honors from Florida Dairy Farmers.

It was a historic year for area athletes.

Inaugural participants say they experienced many benefits from the Brain Health Scholar program.

Taylor Emmons Scholarship recipient headed to Harvard after ODA career.

The past 17 years at Out-of-Door under Mr. David Mahler’s strong leadership have been truly transformational. With a student body of 750 students, an innovative and comprehensive Pre-K-12 educational program, college preparatory curriculum, more than 200 employees, and two thriving campuses covering more than 90 acres, ODA’s growth since the early 2000s has been nothing short of impressive.

Thunder get home runs from Aidan Marino and Nolan Lewellen and perfect relief from Tyler Colditz in 5-3 victory over St. Johns Country Day.

Ella Hildoer, a student at the Out-of-Door Academy, dazzled the crowd with her jazz solo May 15 at the Lakewood Ranch school.

Heading into the Class 2A State Championship Tournament on a seven-game winning streak and a 23-3 record, ODA's Varsity Baseball team knew they were walking into uncharted territory. As the first Thunder baseball team to advance to state final four, every player knew there was the potential to make school history. Click here to view photos from the game. Click here to watch SNN's coverage of the game.

The Thunder used big hits and steady pitching to beat St. Johns Country Day 5-3 in Fort Myers.

16-year-old Out-of-Door student commits to earning all 137. And does it.

Seventh graders dug deep to demonstrate their understanding of award-winning novel “Refugee.”

The Thunder scored four runs in the seventh inning to beat Trinity Chrisitan Academy.

ODA brings a 22-3 record into state semifinals under first-year coach Mike Matthews.

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball program finds themselves two wins away from the programs first ever state title. The way the Thunder arrived in the Class 2A final four was no easy task. Watch the video on SNN

Thunder will battle Lake Worth Trinity Christian Academy at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Fort Myers

During the 2020-2021 school year, ODA competed in a dozen sports, with Middle and Upper School students participating on 20 varsity teams, filling 559 roster spots. Click for the Virtual Athletic End-of-Year Celebration.

The Emmons Family and The Out-of-Door Academy are honored to announce Benjamin “Ben” Garcia as the eleventh recipient of the prestigious Taylor Emmons Scholarship.

Sponsors and golfers were eager to participate in the 2021 Out-of-Door Academy Golf Tournament.

This week, 11 members of the Class of 2021 were recognized for their dedication to their sports and their commitment to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level including three seniors that will compete at the Division One level at Eastern Michigan University, Princeton University, and Temple University. These outstanding student-athletes were surrounded by proud parents, siblings, coaches, faculty, and staff as they took the next step toward furthering their education.

ODA upperclassmen explore the importance of mangrove tunnels for humans, as well as a myriad of marine organisms, on Lido Key. Click here for photos from the trip.

Over the last four years, Lower School teachers have worked alongside our Lower School Literacy Specialist, Mrs. Brittany Mann, to develop an individualized reading assessment that is unique to Out-of-Door. ODA students have shown an impressive average increase in reading comprehension of one full year over just a five-month period, reflecting the quality and strength of our early childhood literacy program.  

Although this year’s Spirit Day looked a little bit different than prior years, the level of enthusiasm and excitement was as strong as ever. This year students competed by division on the Siesta Key and Uihlein Campuses. One of Out-of-Door's oldest school traditions, the day was filled with games, camaraderie, and friendly competition for every student from pre-K to our soon-to-graduate senior Class of 2021. Click here to view photos from the event.

The ODA pole vaulter talks his start in the sport and his goals for the season.

The Out-of-Door Academy is in the top tier of K-12 schools nationwide.

A dedicated cast and crew of 29 Middle and Upper School students worked under the direction of Ms. Thayer Greenberg to produce a magnificent performance of “The Children of Eden” for a closed audience of family members. Click for photos.

People who complain that baseball is too slow have never watched The Out-of-Door Academy play.

Greek pottery is easily identifiable in the modern day–people largely tend to recognize this style of Greek art when they see it. This quarter, sixth graders worked on a cross-curricular project uniting the history and artwork of Greek pottery, becoming artisan storytellers.

Student performers brought their A-game to this year’s Jazz Under the Stars open air concert including solos, improvisation, and student-led ensembles. Click for photos from the performance.

Former Stanford University player played with Chargers, Eagles and in XFL

The Class of 2026 created a new tradition this spring as the first Out-of-Door students to participate in the NPR Student Podcast Challenge. The exciting nationwide competition is open to middle school students in grades 5-8, and requires a combination of creativity, academic skills, and technological prowess.

Longtime administrator/teacher Sean Ball is named the Out-of-Door Academy's new Head of Upper School in Lakewood Ranch.

Service–one of the five core values at Out-of-Door–is integral to the foundation of our School’s commitment to community. This month, ODA partnered with the national nonprofit organization Blankets of Hope (BoH) in a schoolwide service learning initiative to demonstrate kindness, empathy, and hope to the homeless population in Sarasota through the donation of 875 blankets to our local community.

Ball began his tenure at Out-of-Door in 1992, teaching Latin, English and history.

The Out-of-Door Academy students raise money to donate blankets to shelters in Sarasota as part of the Blankets of Hope project.

• 1300 class average on the SAT including a perfect score of 1600
• Highest number of Early Decision Acceptances in School History
• 10 Committed NCAA Student-Athletes

In January, Head of School David Mahler recognized two members of the ODA faculty and staff for their service and commitment to Out-of-Door. This week features our second honoree, Mrs. Renee Pitts, marking her amazing 30 years of service!

Out-of-Door's Felipe Baffico Balharry is named to the 2020-21 Herald Tribune All-Area Boys Swim Team.

ODA senior shows her school spirit by painting her parking spot with her soon-to-be college colors.

Middle School orchestra, band, and chorus members performed an open-air concert for their parents at the Wood Family Amphitheater on the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch this week. Check out the "What Makes You Beautiful," "Dragon Slayer," and "Minka's Sleigh Ride" videos from the event. Click here for photos of the concert.

At the beginning of the new year, Head of School David Mahler recognized two members of the ODA community for their outstanding service and commitment to Out-of-Door. This week features Michael Salmon’s 10-year anniversary at ODA.

ODA student-athletes Grady Paxton '22 and Abbey Burwood '24 hold two of the coveted spots on the list.

Eighth graders develop their knowledge of physics through a design thinking project utilizing linear motion robotics.

High school seniors make the most of their final school year despite pandemic.