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ODA’s Re-Imagined Middle School Campus Unveiled

Eighth graders eagerly explored their new high-tech, solar-powered building after the official ribbon cutting ceremony on the Middle School Quad. Watch the video recap of the event here.
Head of School Mr. David Mahler and Board Chair Ms. Ashley Kozel officially opened the doors to the new Middle School building on The Out-of-Door Academy's Uihlein Campus this week. The state-of-the-art, 14,000 square foot building was designed to support project-based, student-centered learning for grades six through eight, and keeping in line with ODA's commitment to sustainability, is completely powered by solar energy!

Each advisory group toured the new space, excited to see the new two-story structure which houses a virtual reality lab, MakerSpace, humanities and science classrooms, a STEM lab, an airy student commons, and an art studio drenched in natural light.

Izabella DeToma was the first ODA eighth grader to enter and experience the new building. "I think that it's much more accessible and it will give us more room to learn and grow as students," she said. 

After each group had the opportunity to walk through the building, they reassembled outside on their new quad for an address from Head of Middle School Mrs. Julie Bianchi. She spoke about the wonderful opportunity the eighth graders have as the first students to occupy the new building, and the responsibility they have as leaders of their division. Mrs. Bianchi shared a favorite quote from Helen Keller as inspiration to the senior students of the Middle School. "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much," she said. “We are a community that cares and looks out for each other. Let’s be sure to let that guide us in our actions and thoughts this year.”
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The Out-of-Door Academy

LOWER SCHOOL |  Historic Siesta Key Campus  |  Pre-K – Grade 5
444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-349-8133

LOWER SCHOOL |  Lower School Campus on Clark Road  |  Pre-K – Grade 1
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MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS
  |  Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch  |  Grades 6 – 8 |  Grades 9 – 12
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