Julie Rohr Academy

This is a fantastic private school in Sarasota. My 5-year-old daughter began attending for Pre-K and is now in Kindergarten. She has been on stage numerous times already - performing with her class, as a dancer (dance lessons on campus), and in the big year-end production at the Sarasota Opera House. She's now taking violin lessons and having an amazing academic experience. We love the idea of this privately-owned performing arts school. My wife and I highly recommend it!
--Submitted by a parent

The entire staff and families care about each student and it is more a second home than a school.
--Submitted by a parent

I love JRA. I have four children in preschool through 5th grade who are flourishing because of the family atmosphere. I receive daily reports about all of their daily activities. I talk to each teacher who comes in contact with them at least three times a week. Teachers are always ready and willing to talk about my kids days. I never feel like I can't ask questions or be involved. I love their arts program. Each grade actually takes PE, art, music and computers on a daily basis. I don't believe that any other school can offer those programs with such high quality. My children are confident and have wonderful friends at JRA. The teachers are roll models and teach respect and social skills as well a academics.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent with a 9 year old boy who just completed 4th grade at Julie Rohr Academy. My son is very bright and a leader. At JRA he has received the attention, including enrichment classes, and the education that has kept him at the top of the yearly standardized FL testing results. I know he is receiving the education he deserves and the teachers all go out of their way to make learning fun and exciting. He cant wait to learn about what he has heard about in the 5th grade SS class, and he is also excited about science, writing, art, daily PE, and even math. This will be his 5th year of Spanish and Computer and he has already created a PowerPoint presentation and built a website! He still thinks recess it the best part of the day but He is Excited about School! His involvement with the plays and the big productions at the Sarasota Opera House and at Van Weizel have created a feeling in him that he can achieve and do anything he sets his mind to. He feels like a winner because he is, and he is because of the support and the quality of teaching he has received over the past 4 years. We hope we are able to stay at JRA until he is in 9th grade! I believe that would be the greatest gift we could provide for our son. The buildings are older and there are some parents who would not be happy if everyday of their life was perfect; however, if you want a warm and caring environment where the principle tells you she wants to hear from you every week- good and bad- then JRA may be the place for you. The school has a reading garden where older children read to younger ones and there is a school community volunteer program where the children have 'grandparent buddies' that they connect with at the beginning of the year and go to visit a few times, putting on shows and taking hand made gifts. There are so many positive things to say you just need to go there and see for your self. It is a nice, safe place for your child to learn.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has many opportunities for students to grow academically and socially. I read a review stating that students do not receive extra help if needed and was shocked. Not only does every teacher in 1st through 8th grade have scheduled times 5 days a week to assist students that need extra help, but there is also a full-time resource teacher to assist even further if needed. Also, the average standardized test scores of their students, rank in the top quarter nationwide.

This school has a very high quality in how the students are treated both by the faculty and other students. I did a classroom observation and was impressed by the teacher's manner and treatment. I was even more impressed with how much respect other student had for each other. When one child was doing a presentation all the students listened with interest.

My 2 children used to attend JRA. From Nursery through 3rd I was very pleased. It is a safe school and the children are well taken care of. However, I was warned that academics fall apart after that. They were correct. Too much emphasis placed on acting - they offer absolutely no help if your child needs a little extra help in reading or math even though we pay tuition. It seems to me that this school is all about the money. My kids are now in another private school...both honor students. Also, I was told they would move to a new building and they never did. I saw some issues with cleanliness and safety that shocked me. Trust me....look around at the other schools to see your options. I did and am so happy with switching. You owe it to yourself and your child.
--Submitted by a parent

The school definitely needs renovation, maybe just scrap the existing buildings and start from scratch. Parking is very limited. The school is small so you get to know everyone, which is a great thing. My son feels very comfortable with the small classes.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that while my child was in middle school at Julie Rohr Academy the school did not focus enough on academics. For the last few months of every school year academics were put on the back burner and the kids were to put all their focus on the end of the year musical.
--Submitted by a parent

Great academic program, great parental involvement. School property needs renovation. Parking is an issue.
--Submitted by a parent