Sarasota Schools Welcome New Principals While Celebrating Graduation Success

News Summary

Sarasota County Schools is experiencing significant changes with new principals stepping in at various schools. Alongside fresh leadership, the district celebrates a remarkable graduation rate of 92.5% for the 2023-2024 school year, marking an improvement and showcasing the dedication of students and educators. Notable achievements include schools like Pine View and Sarasota High School reaching impressive graduation statistics, indicative of a community focused on excellence in education.

Exciting Changes in Sarasota Schools: New Principals and Record Graduation Rates!

Hey there, Sarasota! We have some thrilling updates coming your way from our beloved schools. This year, the Sarasota County Schools district is not only welcoming new leadership with open arms but is also celebrating a record graduation rate that has everyone buzzing with pride!

New Faces at the Helm

First up, let’s welcome Ms. Keatrun Stroughter, the new principal of Gocio Elementary School. Effective July 1, 2025, she’s ready to bring her wealth of experience to the school community. Stroughter has been the heart and soul as the Assistant Principal at Emma E. Booker Elementary since July 2022. Before that, she made waves at Sarasota High School, leading the English Language Arts and Intensive Language Arts departments. Her journey has also taken her through various schools in Orlando, making her a great addition to the Gocio community.

Next, we have Allison Foster, who recently stepped up from her role as interim superintendent to become the principal of Southside Elementary School starting June 3, 2025. Foster brings a trio of degrees to the table, including a bachelor’s in Business, and she is keen on making a difference for our younger learners.

Another significant shift is Kirk Hutchinson, who once served as the principal of Venice Elementary. He’s now taking on a new challenge as the chief of student services for Sarasota County Schools, effective June 3, 2025. Meanwhile, Cindy Thro will be stepping into the role of executive director of elementary schools after her stint as principal of Atwater Elementary.

Exciting news for the new K-8 school at Skye Ranch! Jamie Hannon will take the reins as principal starting June 3, 2025, promising to create a vibrant learning atmosphere for students. Over at Oak Park School, Sean Donovan steps in on July 8, 2025, transitioning from his previous role as the assistant principal of Exceptional Student Education at Sarasota High School.

The winds of change are blowing at Emma E. Booker Elementary, where Marya Annicelli, the current assistant principal of Gocio Elementary, will become the principal on July 1, 2025. Michelle Giddens is also ready to lead Lakeview Elementary starting June 24, 2025, while Jessica Fuesy will step into the principal role at Laurel Nokomis School on July 1, 2025. Lastly, Raymond Wilson is set to guide Venice Elementary starting June 3, 2025, after serving at Laurel Nokomis School, while Jamie Lowicz is moving to Atwater Elementary School as its new principal starting July 1, 2025.

A Celebration of Success: Record Graduation Rates!

92.5% for the 2023-2024 school year! Can you believe it? This marks a 2 percentage point increase from the previous year, catapulting our district from 19th to a remarkable 13th place in state rankings. It’s a victory that showcases the hard work and dedication of students and educators alike!

It gets even more exciting! Several schools achieved a stellar 100% graduation rate, including Pine View School, Suncoast Polytechnical High School, and Sarasota Virtual School. Traditional public schools in Sarasota reached or exceeded a 90% graduation rate for the first time, which is simply mind-blowing! Sarasota High School, in particular, shone with a graduation rate of 93.2%, the highest in five years, and an impressive 6.7% increase from last year.

We should also highlight the strides made with our English language learners, whose graduation rates jumped by an astonishing 16 percentage points compared to the previous year. This accomplishment showcases the commitment to inclusive education and support for all students!

Superintendent Terry Connor emphasized the district’s unwavering commitment to reaching a 100% graduation rate in the future. With ongoing initiatives such as mentorship programs and on-campus testing preparations, it’s clear that Sarasota Schools are focused on enhancing these great outcomes for our students!

As we can see, Sarasota County Schools is heading in an inspiring direction with fresh leadership and impressive graduation rates! Here’s to many more successful years ahead for our schools and the bright futures of our students!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Sarasota Schools Achieve Top Grades in Florida

Additional Resources

• Herald Tribune: Charter Schools in Sarasota County
• SRQ Magazine: New Principal of Gocio Elementary School
• Herald Tribune: Sarasota Schools Leadership Changes
• ABC Action News: Sarasota Middle School Incident
• Wikipedia: Education in Florida