Oak Park School

7285 Hand Road

School District

Sarasota
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:5
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 13, 2018

The ultimate Best school for our child and those like her! It’s the best kept secret in Sarasota. Amazing staff, students, and parents all working together in the best interest of the children.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2016

Oak park is like being a part of a big family,we all care about the kids. The kids ,the staff and all the parents. When we came to Oak Park we where home, a place to be accepted,not judge.It felt good to know we fit in. Thank you to the outstanding staff for taken care of our kids, and getting them ready for the future and what it holds ahead for them. Thank you Oak Park School! A Happy parent
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2016

To see that Oak Park School would be rated anything but excellent and a 10 is disappointing, and not a true representation of students and staff. What heart! After living in another county in Florida with a failing school system, which in turn hurts all special needs programs and education, we toured Oak Park, because my friend's son went there and was very happy. It seemed like a dream. We knew it was a no-brainer and actually moved across the State to enroll our daughter at Oak Park. What I see is my non verbal child is very happy to attend school. All the supports are in place so she can have her physical needs met. The staff is knowledgeable of adapting their education plans for the betterment of the students. IEP's, normally a nightmare, are a breeze at Oak Park. The staff is there because they want to be. They want to do the best they can to bring out the best in your child! As we just completed our first year, we already have a communication plan for school and home written in my daughter's IEP. This is something I have always wanted that I was fighting for. Having a team that works with you takes those stresses completely away and turns frustration into positivity because we actively work together to pave the road to success for my child. I feel the staff at Oak Park deserve recognition for being excellent role models, teachers, care givers and volunteers. I am one happy mom and a Panther for life!! -Autumn McLeod
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

My son has been attending this school for 2 years. It has been nothing short of a miracle.. This was the first school that actually gets my son and his illness... He went from D and F to Honor Role these past 2 years.. The teachers, aids and support staff are nothing short of amazing.They use positive reinforcement in a way that all children are successful based on their individual abilities...My son loves school for the first time!!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2012

We recently enrolled our special needs daughter who is 11 and a half into this school. While there are certainly positive people and programs at this school our personal experience with her classroom setting, teacher and follow up meetings with the ESE liason and school psychologist have proven to be very disappointing. I can't speak for all the teachers there but her teacher seems only interested in taking the path of least resistance and catering to our daughter's demands and wishes instead of providing the structured learning environment she needs. Our daughter not only has special needs but also some significant behavioral issues as well. Her teacher continuously underminds the efforts we have taken to address her behavior as well as her academics. We have our daughter on a special diet which her teacher has also not respected and continued to "reward" her with food and snacks after being directed not to. Instead of a feeling that our daughter is in the right environment to learn and grow we question our decision to have her at Oak Park daily. It's too bad because there seem to be people who genuine care and put forth effort at this school, however our teacher is not one.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2011

You cannot beat this school and how it meets the needs of it's students! I searched around for the best school for my son's disability and couldn't not find a better school (public or private). Having a child with special needs is extremely difficult and sometimes parents are not happy with the disability and blam the school for not being able to 'cure' the child so they ask the imposible. Those parrents will search and try out other schools and they will realize that Oak Park surpasses them all. We are so bless to have this school and ALL the staff that runs it..
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2010

Because my special needs child can have individualized attention, academics, plus opportunities for socialization and the chance to experience a wide variety of activities.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2010

My son has attended this school since 2nd grade.The teachers and staff are priceless. They help the kids so much.They can leave this school being very productive citizens. My son has come so far since he attends Oak Park. If you or anyone you know have kids they are considered as special needs this school is the place for them. I love Oak Park School!
Submitted by teacher on December 22, 2008

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