Sarasota's first tuition-free classical school is slated to open in fall 2026. Meet our new Founding Principal!

SARASOTA, FL – Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy has hired Sara Geary, Ed.D. as its founding principal. The only tuition-free classical academy in Sarasota, Sarasota Classical Academy is slated to open in the fall of 2026 and will ultimately serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Enrollment for grades K through six is now open. Applications are accepted on the school's website: www.sarasotaclassical.org [u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net].  The school will be located at 8743 Fruitville Road in Sarasota [u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net]. 

What is Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy?

Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy will employ an educational philosophy rooted in the liberal arts, character development and the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.  While incorporating the traditional classical Trivium – Grammar (knowledge), Logic (understanding), and Rhetoric (wisdom), CSUSA's Classical Model uses modern instructional strategies and approaches that align with each student's cognitive development stage. This approach provides students with exposure to the classical curriculum and an innovative, purposeful technology, personalized pathway that fosters a lifelong love and appreciation of learning. 

The school is a single-story 45,623-square-foot building designed to accommodate approximately 900 students at full enrollment.  It will feature modern classrooms, flexible learning environments and an outdoor amphitheater to support student performances, arts programs, and school-wide events.  A 55,000-square-foot multipurpose sports field with artificial turf will serve both the school and community recreation programs. 

"Our goal at Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy is to develop strong minds and good hearts in our students, educators, and support staff by nurturing intellectual excellence and moral virtue," said Geary, "By offering this unique integrated educational option totally tuition-free, we are making access to a quality classical education more readily available to children in grades K-eight across Sarasota."

Meet Dr. Sara Geary

Geary is a seasoned educator with more than 30 years of academic experience. She began her career in the classroom and has held numerous leadership positions in Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Texas. She joined CSUSA as the founding principal of two high-performing schools: Waterset Charter School in Apollo Beach and Innovation Preparatory Academy. She went on to become deputy director of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Manatee Counties, where she successfully opened several schools.  She most recently served as Head of Schools at Lakewood Preparatory Academy in Tampa.  

She earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from University of Central Florida and her Master of Education in leadership from University of South Florida.  She went on to earn her Doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Liberty University.  

Enrollment for Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy is now open. Those interested may apply online at www.sarasotaclassical.org.

Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy is part of the nationally recognized CSUSA family of schools which operates 63 schools in Florida and more than 150 in the United States. The school is governed by the Florida Charter Educational Foundation, Inc. Board, a local group of talented educators and business leaders. Founded in 1997, CSUSA is a pioneer in the charter movement and one of the fastest-growing education management organizations in the United States.  CSUSA is the first in the nation to earn corporation-wide accreditation through Cognia, which means every school it opens is automatically accredited in its first year.  Its mission is a relentless commitment to student greatness in school and in life and its promise is Strong Minds, Good Hearts.™