About Oak Park South

Oak Park South is the public center school providing the most restrictive services to ESE students living in the southern part of Sarasota County.

Academically, Oak Park South adheres to district curriculum and the Sunshine State Standards.  Oak Park South students are eligible for numerous curricular modifications which are determined by their Individual Educational Programs.

Oak Park South provides for the educational, emotional and physical needs of public school students who benefit from a positive, structured educational environment.  The individual needs of each student are taken into consideration as their personal program is designed.

    Trained Staff

1 - Florida certified behavior analyst.

2 - Nationally certified associate behavior analysts.

4 - Teachers holding masters degrees.

All teachers certified in exceptional student education.

    Areas of Excellence

Students are recognized after each grading period for outstanding achievements:

•     Honor Roll

•     Perfect Attendance

•     A.C.E. (Academics, Citizenship, Effort) awards

        Program Goals

• To assist students in making school a positive and productive experience enabling them to transfer knowledge, behavior and attitudes to their everyday lives.

• To provide a supportive, structured learning environment where the educational and emotional climate is one of growth.

• To educate students with the knowledge, behavior and attitudes required for success.

    Diversity

Oak Park South fosters respect and understanding among all cultures and individuals who learn and work in our school community.

Oak Park South will:

•         Create a safe and positive environment.

•         Empower all people to reach his/her full potential.

•         Remove barriers of bigotry and prejudice that infringe upon individual freedom, respect and progress.

        Special Programs

Oak Park South incorporates special programs to enhance curriculum.

•  K-9 Hugs is a program partnering students with therapy dogs through the Suncoast Humane Society.  Students are selected to work one-on-one  with the dogs developing a relationship with a nonjudgmental partner.

• How Does Your Garden Grow? Oak Park South is privileged to be the only school in Sarasota County to partner with the University of Florida "School Gardening Project" where the students develop a garden, plant the seeds, care for the plants and harvest the produce.  Since its inception, our garden has grown to include a butterfly garden and planting around our front office.

• Recycling aluminum cans provides classes the opportunity to learn ecology, economy and working as a team while raising funds for the school.

• CBI (Community Based Instruction) offers students the opportunity to go beyond the classroom adding another level of instructional enrichment.  Students learn acceptable behavior in public while giving them a sense of belonging to the community in which they live.

• / are part of a nation-wide program offering funds and equipment to schools that collect special box tops and Campbell® labels.  Oak Park South participates in both programs.  You can get more information from the hyperlinks above.

    Prevention

This nine lesson curriculum is taught by the school resource officer:

•     Bullying prevention

•     Conflict resolution

•     Gang prevention

•     Theft/vandalism prevention

•     Drugs/alcohol prevention

•     Sexual harassment

•     Student personal safety