5321 Rio Vista St
Sarasota, FL 34232

Had a brain injury a year before my freshman year. they knew about this and were sent all of my medical records and my 504 plan. i wasn't accommodated. i required an elevator key because of my balance issues and I didn't get one until October. School started in August. During those months without a key I fell down the stairs MULTIPLE TIMES. i was supposed to have flexibility with my attendance as i was in intensive rehab multiple times a week, they weren't flexible with it at all. I was also supposed to be leaving my classes 5 minutes early so i could have the hallways to myself because of my balance issues. Every single teacher gave me a problem. One even said "im not letting you leave 5 minutes early but i'll let you leave 3 minutes." what?! it got to the point where it was physically unsafe for me to be there. i was stuck being knocked around in the crowded hallways and falling down stairs. i couldn't keep up with the work because none of the teachers would slow it down or explain it to me when i asked them to. i was supposed to have extended time on assignments, but no. i was constantly leaving school because i was overstimulated from the lack of support from the teachers and staff.i decided to just stop showing up halfway through the year because i was sick of being hurt and ignored. i could barely last an entire school day from the lack of support from anyone. the staff acted as if i took a vacation in the middle of the year. it was unsafe for me to be at the school, so i stopped going.i just ask that schools require more knowledge on TBIs and brain injuries. they're disabilities and i dont want to be ignored when im being wronged in this system.

I subbed for several years at this school, working almost every day. I got to be in all the classrooms many times over. This school is one of the best schools I have ever been in. I worked as a teacher for over 40 years in Special Education, in several states and several positions and can honestly say, that I loved working so much at Fruitville, I stopped subbing at other schools in the district and worked exclusively at Fruitville. There are many positives to say about Fruitville. All of the staff works very hard at making children feel valued and helping them to learn. The entire school participates developing a positive learning climate thru teams and special activities. The special education department of the school works to ensure kids can be assimilated into regular classrooms as much as possible to benefit special needs kids and to help "regular" children be more accepting of students with learning differences. The school climate is warm and nurturing. The school counselor is very involved with helping all students develop strong social and emotional coping skills. The staff makes volunteers and substitutes feel welcome and appreciated. While I worked there, it was like working with a big, extended family. I loved that school! If I had young children and I wanted them to go to a good school, I would pick Fruitville in a heartbeat!

Middle school are the toughest years of school. McIntosh Middle School staff do their best to help students successfully navigate the middle school years. In addition to the core classes of math, science, social studies and language arts, MMS offers band, chorus, orchestra, drama, robotics, aerospace, physical education, agriscience, Spanish, computer coding, computer applications, and 2D and 3D art. They offer before and after school tutoring. The media center is the best in the district. Call the school today for a tour.