Preparing Your Student

All Out-of-Door students will be issued ID cards with their photo on them. This card is used for a variety of items, and students are required to have it at all times while on campus. 

• Provide an electronic copy of your child’s current school photo or take a headshot similar to a passport photo. Because this photo will be used for your child’s student ID, please send a high-resolution file in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format. 
   
• In the email to Caylyn Wells (Lower School) or Dana Calo (Middle & Upper School), please include your child’s full name and grade level for the 2026-27 school year in the subject line.

The Out-of-Door Academy is required to maintain complete academic and student records for your child.

• If your child is entering grades 1-5, please complete this form
• If your child is entering grades 6-12, please complete this form

Please deliver both the form and the accompanying letter to your child’s current school (Registrar, Guidance Counselor, or Principal).

Please submit all requested records by the initial deadline of Friday, July 31, 2026. Families who join the school after this date will still be able to complete the records process after enrollment. Delays in submitting this information could impact their start date at ODA. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition for your child, and we appreciate your attention to this important step.

Please note: For students currently enrolled in Manatee County Public Schools, records/transcripts are centrally located and not housed in specific schools. Parents must request the final records directly through this link.

At The Out-of-Door Academy, the health and safety of our students is a top priority. To ensure a smooth start to the school year, we want to make sure you have all the information you need regarding Florida’s immunization and school physical requirements.

Please take a moment to carefully review the Health Forms Overview document. These forms are mandatory for school attendance, and some may take additional time to complete—especially if your records are from out of state or out of the country.

Per Florida law, all students attending school in Florida for the first time must submit a complete school physical and a certified DH680 immunization form from the Department of Health before the first day of school.

• Students entering Pre-K through Grade 5 must submit the Florida School Entry Form.
• Students entering Grades 6 through 12 must submit the FHSAA Preparticipation Physical Evaluation.

Please also note: the Consent for Health Care Services electronic form is required. Without this on file, students will not be allowed to visit the nurse for routine care or participate in counseling services, athletics, or field trips (as outlined in the Student and Family Handbook).

If you have questions or need support, our campus nurses are here to help:

• Nurse Teri McPadden – Siesta Key Campus
• Nurse Bonnie Bechtel – Clark Road Campus
• Nurse Michelle Barber – Uihlein Campus

Beginning Saturday, June 6, you’ll be able to access your Magnus Health SMR account through the Resource Board in your myODA Parent Portal. Please complete and submit all required health forms in Magnus no later than Friday, July 31.

If you run into any issues using Magnus—whether entering data, downloading forms, or navigating the system—please contact Magnus Health support:

• Phone: (919) 502-7689
• Email: [email protected]

Students in the Lower School are expected to come to school dressed in uniform and ready to learn. All uniform shirts and dresses must be ordered through Lands’ End. Please read the Lower School Dress Code & Uniforms information carefully to ensure you have purchased ODA-approved items.

Lands’ End is offering their biggest summer promotion: 35% off select school styles from June 27–July 3. Use code: SHARPDRESSED35

Students in the Middle School are expected to come to school dressed in uniform and ready to learn. All uniform shirts and dresses must be ordered through Lands’ End. Please read the Middle School Dress Code & Uniforms information carefully to ensure you have purchased ODA-approved items.

Lands’ End is offering their biggest summer promotion: 35% off select school styles from June 27–July 3. Use code: SHARPDRESSED35

One of the many exciting opportunities in our Lower School is the Immersion Program for our fourth and fifth grade students. We are committed to making this experience meaningful and enriching for every student at The Out-of-Door Academy.

As you sit down with your child to explore the available options, we ask that you complete this form by Friday, June 5, so we can plan accordingly for the upcoming school year. Families who join the school after this date will still be able to complete the records process after enrollment.

Students will be asked to indicate their first, second, and third choices. While we can’t guarantee everyone will receive their top choice, we will do our best to honor preferences, especially for those with prior experience. Once placements are finalized, students will be expected to remain in their selected discipline for the full year.

Please note that families are responsible for providing any instruments required. If you have any questions or need support during this process, feel free to reach out to Erick Crow, our Director of Fine & Performing Arts. He will be happy to help!

It is time for all of our new 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to select their elective courses for the year.  Please review the information with your child and contact Marc Roberts, Assistant Head of Middle School, if you have any questions. Please note that core course selection — English, math, science, and history — will be managed and completed by Mr. Roberts in the coming weeks.

• 6th Grade Art Electives
• 7th Grade Art Electives
• 7th and 8th Grade Language Electives
• 8th Grade Electives

Our Upper School team is excited to help you with course selection and any necessary placement exams. These meetings can be held in person or via Zoom.

• Incoming ninth grade families, please contact Aimee Murphy, Assistant Head of Upper School.
• Incoming 10-12th grade families, please contact Mary Ann Mullen, College Counseling Administrative Assistant.

Please schedule your appointment by Friday, June 5. Families who join the school after this date will still be able to complete the records process after enrollment.