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Sarasota Military Academy presents renewal update, highlights leadership and graduation gains
Summary
Sarasota Military Academy presented its renewal materials to the school board, described leadership-based disciplinary structure and recent academic initiatives, and received district staff feedback that the school has no major compliance issues but acceleration remains an area for collaboration.
Sarasota Military Academy leaders told the school board on Jan. 7 that the two-campus military-themed public charter continues to focus on leadership, structure and programs that support graduation and postsecondary pathways.
Colonel Christina Bowman, head of the high school campus, and Dr. Cheryl Corwin, head of the middle-school PREP campus, presented the school’s enrollment and demographic profile, academic initiatives and extracurricular offerings as part of the charter-renewal process. SMA reported a historically high graduation rate (96% for the prior cohort) and awarding of scholarship dollars to graduates; the school also cited acceleration efforts including expanded career-technical education courses and required ASVAB testing for juniors.
SMA leaders described a “Leader in Me” advisory and character program and said they have implemented targeted professional development, literacy initiatives and interventions focused on the district’s lowest-performing quartile. The school emphasized hands-on CTE and STEM offerings — including a newly funded amateur-radio program and industry certifications — that feed both acceleration and career pathways.
District staff told the board that the Charter Review Committee’s preliminary review raised few compliance concerns. Staff noted minimal ESOL-file issues that appear fixable, clean financial audits and a strong governing board. At the same time staff reiterated that acceleration points (credit-earning opportunities that affect district and school accountability scores) remain an area where district/charter coordination can increase students’ access to advanced courses.
Board members asked about support for the lowest-performing students, mental-health and counseling services, program-level attendance improvements, and the school’s relationship with district project teams. SMA leaders described contracted or in-house psychologists, a Swiss (student support) team, coaching and extra counseling, and said small school size helps staff identify and support students in need.
SMA’s renewal application will continue to the Charter Review Committee for a recommendation and return to the board for a future vote.
