Best Catholic: St. Martha's K-8 and then Cardinal Mooney for high school (they are close by to one another).

Best Public Trek: Southside Elementary, Pine View (2-12 for the gifted), Ashton Elementary, Philippi Shores Elementary, Sarasota Middle, Riverview HS, Sarasota High.

Lakewood Ranch has great schools, but they are overcrowded. Many charter schools going in as backup options. Most of the families who have never lived in the area opt for Lakewood Ranch because of all the transplants, near the mall, friendlier vibe for newcomers.

Best neighborhoods under $1 million:
Sarasota: Palmer Ranch, Colonial Oaks, Laurel Oak,

St Martha’s is a k-8 that is quite reputable, but I have no personal experience.

For public - parents rave about southside elementary. The buzz does seem to be around Tatum ridge, a public k-8 opening this August. Both are in two different geographical areas though so it depends where you want to land.

I don’t have experience with either elementary as my kids are older and entering HS. I initially didn’t choose public, but have been relatively happy with the public offerings. Not perfect, but good enough considering the state and its reputation for education.

OP here--thank you for the responses! We'd ideally like to do public schools, but if there are any montessori or Catholic schools with great reputations, please LMK. I appreciate the responses!

I would suggest living as close to the key as possible. It provides a great environment for kids growing up, being able to bike to the beach or the village. West of trail or as close as possible.

On the other hand you could look way out at Lakewood Ranch. Great communities with lots of ammenities and good schools but further from the beach. Still within your 30-45 min to downtown.

If you want a newer house for the price you'll have to move further out. If you don't mind a smaller, older house but in a better location you can move west of trail.

Everything in between (Lakewood Ranch and west of trail) is just, ok. Fine but ok.

Riverview and Sarasota are both great high schools. When I say west of trail, look at Southside Elementary and the surrounding area that is "west of Tamiami Trail." Also known as 41.

Same poster as before / Palmer ranch and areas south of Clark have a good school pyramid (Sarasota middle and Riverview).

I do also like the lakes community by Bahia vista but the school zones aren’t great. You would probably be better from an insurance getting a newer house but I like that every house looks kinda different.

Skye ranch may be an option. It’s a bit more remote in terms of location and will give you a longer commute to downtown but the latest buzz is their k-8 school that is opening in the fall which is walkable. However, I am not sure where the HS zone is in that neighborhood.

Arbor lakes does in deed have kids. I do not personally live there but it was suggested to me when we moved here with our kids.

Please also look into school choice for the following academic year as you can apply (though it’s hard) to get in to another schools magnet program.

Many families with younger kids will live in LWR but getting into a community under 1m will take you to manatee county which has lower rated schools than Sarasota and give you a much longer commute to downtown during peak season (Jan-March.

Any suggestions? We are fairly unfamiliar with Sarasota—know Tampa and St Pete better but may have a job offer coming through.

Ideally 30-45 mins max to downtown Sarasota. Priority is good schools and kid-friendly neighborhood. We have been told good things about Arbor Lakes.