News

Eighth graders in pastel poodle skirts and bobby socks, rolled up 501s and black leather jackets took the dance floor Monday to show off moves they’ve been learning at the culminating event of their cross-curricular 1950s unit.

Each year, fifth grade students participate in the World Peace Game. This hands-on political simulation gives young students the opportunity to explore the global landscape by considering the impact of economic, social, and environmental crises and the threat of war.

As the sun set behind ODA’s Uihlein Campus, soothing melodies filled the air for a picturesque Jazz Under the Stars. This annual tradition features a variety of genres performed by our talented musicians in a unique and memorable showcase.

A Scholarship Can Change a Life.

Lexi Myers was one of five Thunder players with a hat trick as Out-of-Door Academy rolled past Lakewood Ranch 21-5 on Monday in a girls’ lacrosse game at the Mustang Ranch.

Out-of-Door Academy bests Bradenton Christian in single run game.

The Out-of-Door community came out in its finest to the Ritz Carlton on Saturday, March 9, 2019 for its annual Banyan Ball—an elegant evening of festivity and fundraising. The unforgettable evening themed “World Traveler” began with an exclusive VIP event.

In ODA’s first Technology Student Association (TSA) State Competition, sophomores Kaylen Rivers ‘21 and Reece Whatmore ‘21 created an interactive, tactile, assistive technology storybook for students with physical and intellectual impairment. Their second place finish in the category advances them to the National Competition in June.

The Out-of-Door Academy has had a strong representation on the Sarasota Youth Orchestra (SYO), Symphonic Winds, and Youth Opera Programs for many years. The SYO’s program has been hailed as one of the most exemplary youth programs in the Southeast. Each year, ODA students are encouraged to take advantage of amazing opportunities with these programs -located in the heart of our city.

During their annual Art Under the Banyan exhibition this morning, third and fourth graders presented the beautiful artwork they have created in Ms. Gabrici’s art classes in the Kozel Amphitheater.

ODA’s ACLU Club organized a “Know Your Rights” school assembly during last week’s Ovation. The assembly was conducted in a Town Hall style, allowing the Upper School students to stand up and ask panelists questions on the spot.

The covered pavilion behind the Petrik Family Commons was filled with laughing, smiling students and faculty during the annual SPECTRUM Heritage Festival last week. Participants set up their tables with regional treats and delicacies, sweet and savory, from Israel, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, and more, prepared to share not only their foods, but information about their background with the festival’s attendees.

Last weekend’s Middle and Upper School Broadway Matinee featured a selection of well-loved songs from the classic Broadway musicals "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Phantom of the Opera," and "Jekyll and Hyde."

During the 2019 Forte International Music Competition finals in New York City on February 2, The Out-of-Door Academy’s Arthur Wang ‘21, competed as one of two finalists in the 16 to 18 year old “Seniors” age group. Standing on the legendary stage in world-renowned Carnegie Hall, Arthur played “Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor,” Jean-Baptiste Accolay.

At the start of the 2018-2019 school year, students in 3rd-5th grade applied and were selected to be part of the ODA STEM Fair team. From this group, students decided whether they wanted to complete an engineering project or an experimental project, and were grouped according to interest. Students worked through the engineering design process or scientific method, defining the problem, asking questions, researching, experimenting and prototyping, analyzing the results, and finally presenting their findings.

ODA students had a spectacular showing at the Florida Junior Classical League Regional Forum this year. The 40 students, along with faculty chaperones Ms. Nicole Fafalios, Ms. Anya Grady, Ms. Alyssa Mandel, and Mr. Paul LeBras, traveled to Plant City for the day-long competition in multiple categories. ODA students took home a total of 44 awards/trophies.

Out-of-Door’s traditional Grandfriends Day was held on the Historic Siesta Key Campus on February 8, 2019. The annual event is an opportunity for students to invite their grandparents or special friends to visit ODA to experience the musical and theatrical talents of our students, participate in campus activities, and spend time together sharing what they are learning in classrooms.

The Out-of-Door Middle and Upper School community attended a special presentation of the inspiring play “Letters From Anne & Martin,” in the Petrik Thunderdome this week.

Mira Khazanchi '20 and Paige Crittenden '20 have been selected as award recipients from a pool of 350,000 student submissions received by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Mira received two Silver Keys and one Gold Key for her photography submission “Festivities,” and Paige received a Gold Key for her mixed media drawing “Through Someone Else’s Eyes.”

Students in Mrs. Daniela Rozanes’ AP Spanish Literature and AP Spanish Language & Culture classes, and Mr. Marc Robert’s Spanish V class collaborated on an intensive project to produce a Spanish-language digital magazine, El rincón del trueno (Thunder Corner).

The ODA guard talks work ethic and her basketball origins

Tigers, bears, and monkeys have filled the Black Box Theater for this week’s Middle School production of “The Jungle Book KIDS.” The ensemble cast showcases a range of characters as they lead us through the familiar story of a young boy raised by wild animals.

Fox Field House gives Thunder teams more space to operate

Shortly after returning from ODA’s Winter Break, our fifth graders departed campus for a leadership retreat to Circle F Dude Ranch in Lake Wales.

Orchestra Director Nicole Young, Dr. Linda Vasilaki, eighth grade violinist Natalie Carrión, and senior violist Christian Ramos attended the 75th anniversary of the Florida Music Educators Association Conference “Artistry, Teaching and Performing” in Tampa, Florida January 9-12. These two talented students were selected to represent Out-of-Door in the Middle School and High School All-State Orchestra Programs.

Cougars end up in a tie for fourth straight match; Thunder now 7-1-1

Learn how to do you laundry. Develop good relationships with your professors. Appreciate what you have here at Out-of-Door! These are just some of the nuggets of advice members of the Class of 2018 had for the senior class when they returned to campus in December to meet with seniors in their Issues in Contemporary Society classes.

The entire Uihlein Campus student body, faculty, parents, and trustees assembled on the first day of classes in 2019 to cut the ribbon on the new Fox Field House. Everyone in attendance was wowed by the expansive 12,300 square foot addition to our Thunder Athletic Complex. Click here for photo gallery. Click here for an article from The Observer. Click here for Video.

Sixth graders embarked on an exploration of Ancient Egyptian mummification during a creative cross-curricular project last quarter.