The Out-of-Door Academy

Private K-12 Educationoda.edu

The Out-of-Door Academy is a private, nonprofit, coeducational K-12 day school founded in 1924 in Sarasota, Florida, serving over 750 students across three campuses with a college-preparatory curriculum, arts, athletics, and summer programs funded primarily by tuition and philanthropy.

Company typePrivate
Founded1924
HeadquartersSarasota, United States
Headcount251–500
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What The Out-of-Door Academy does

The Out-of-Door Academy (ODA) is a private, independent, coeducational day school founded in 1924 in Sarasota, Florida, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The school serves over 750 students from pre-K through grade 12 across three campuses spanning 195 acres: the Historic Siesta Key Campus (Lower School), the Clark Road Lower School Campus, and the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch (Middle and Upper Schools). Its core product is a college-preparatory curriculum organized into Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions, augmented by fine and performing arts (music, theater, visual arts), competitive athletics branded as Thunder Nation, college counseling, learning support services, before/after-school care, and a Summer Academy of camps and courses for ages 5-17. Character development is centered on RISER values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Responsibility), with Upper School students logging nearly 30,000 community service hours in 2024-2025.

ODA's revenue model rests primarily on recurring tuition paid by enrolled families, supplemented by philanthropic contributions through the ODA Annual Fund, the Founders Fund (a restricted financial aid endowment established in 2020 by Tally and Chris Harris), the Corporate Champions corporate sponsorship program, the 1924 Leadership Society and Riser Society giving circles, ancillary campus dining revenue from Flik Independent School Dining and Fresh Flamingo meal plans, and Summer Academy fees. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; financial assistance is administered using the NAIS Schools and Student Service (SSS) methodology. The go-to-market motion is sales-led in the traditional private-school sense — inquiry forms, campus tours, applications, and enrollment — supported by a website (oda.edu), The Banyan Weekly newsletter, Instagram (@ODA and @outofdooralumni), parent volunteer networks, and admissions events.

ODA's technology stack is conventional for an independent school: the myODA family portal (hosted on myschoolapp.com) for schedules, class information, directories, and announcements; student ID card systems; Magnus Health SMR for student health records; and learning management capabilities. The school has no AI/ML capabilities, proprietary models, or data flywheel disclosed. Management is led by division heads (Dr. Kelly Rose at Clark Road, Jessica Banks at Siesta Key, Jay Mahn for Middle School, Sean Ball for Upper School) and functional directors across enrollment, admissions, fine and performing arts, athletics, and dining; the school is governed by its own Board of Trustees with no parent company, venture capital, or private equity backing.

The Out-of-Door Academy firmographics

Firmographics

Name: The Out-of-Door Academy
Legal name: The Out-of-Door Academy
Website: https://oda.edu
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1924
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 251–500 employees
Short description: The Out-of-Door Academy is a private, nonprofit, coeducational K-12 day school founded in 1924 in Sarasota, Florida, serving over 750 students across three campuses with a college-preparatory curriculum, arts, athletics, and summer programs funded primarily by tuition and philanthropy.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

The Out-of-Door Academy industry classification

Industry

Product category: Private K-12 Education
NAICS: Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro primary industry: Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

Keywords

Private K-12 education
College preparatory
Independent day school
Fine arts education
Student athletics programs

Where The Out-of-Door Academy is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Sarasota
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

The Out-of-Door Academy business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition charged to families for K-12 education. School operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Annual Fund Donations: Unrestricted charitable contributions from families, alumni, and supporters that bridge the gap between tuition and actual cost of education. Supports educators, technology, arts, athletics, and student programs.
Founders Fund: Restricted charitable fund established in 2020 by Tally and Chris Harris to provide financial assistance covering technology, textbooks, transportation, uniforms, meals, art equipment, school trips, and test preparation for high-need students.
Corporate Champions Program: Corporate sponsorship program where businesses partner with the school and receive publicity through ODA's various channels.
Campus Dining Services: Meal plans and daily food service provided through partners Flik Independent School Dining and Fresh Flamingo, generating revenue through annual/semester meal plans and per-meal payments.
Summer Academy Programs: Summer camps and academic courses for children ages 5-17, including sports camps, academic courses, specialty camps, and day camps at various price points.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

The Out-of-Door Academy product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The Out-of-Door Academy provides independent, college-preparatory day school education for students from pre-K through grade 12 across three Sarasota, Florida campuses. Its core offering is the academic program (Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions) augmented by fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, college counseling, and character education grounded in the RISER values framework. The school also operates a Summer Academy of camps and academic courses, before- and after-school care, and a community service program.

Product overview

The Out-of-Door Academy is an independent pre-K through grade 12 private school operating across three campuses in Sarasota, Florida. The institution offers a unified educational program structured by division (Lower School, Middle School, Upper School), supplemented by comprehensive arts programs (Music, Theater, Visual Arts), athletics, college counseling, after-school programs, and Summer Academy camps. The myODA digital portal serves as the central technology platform connecting families with academic resources, schedules, and communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Thunder Athletic Club: Parent volunteer organization that fosters a positive environment for all ODA student-athletes, coaches, and parents, enhancing the overall athletic experience.
Arts Alliance
The Banyan Weekly
myODA
1924 Leadership Society
Riser Society

Products and services

Lower School Independent pre-K through grade 5 educational program offered across two campuses (Historic Siesta Key Campus and Clark Road Campus) for Sarasota-area families seeking private elementary education.
Middle School Grades 6-8 educational program at the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch offering academic rigor, elective courses, and preparation for Upper School advancement.
Upper School Grades 9-12 college-preparatory program at the Uihlein Campus featuring advanced academics, college counseling, and leadership opportunities.
Summer Academy Summer program offering academic courses, sports camps, STEM camps, arts camps, specialty camps, and day camps for children ages 5-17 across all three campuses; open to ODA families and the broader community.
Music Program Instrumental and vocal arts education including Band (with Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble), Choir, and Orchestra programs from pre-K through grade 12.
Theater Program Theater education and productions for Lower School (after-school Prime Time), Middle School (curriculum and productions), and Upper School (classes, technical theater, and annual plays/musicals in Black Box Theater).
Visual Arts Program Visual arts education across all divisions using traditional and digital media, with offerings including studio art, sculpture, 3D, film studies, graphic design, and photography.
Athletics Program Competitive athletics for grades 6-12 including football, cheerleading, soccer, track and field, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and tennis, supported by facilities such as Thunder Stadium, Petrik Thunderdome, and Malisoff Family Tennis Center.
College Counseling Guidance and support services for Upper School students and families to navigate college applications, selection processes, and placement exams.
Lower School After School Programs After-school enrichment including Prime Time programs, After Care, and Intramural Sports for 4th and 5th graders at the Historic Siesta Key Campus.
myODA Portal Central digital hub for families providing student schedules, class information, school forms, directory, announcements, and resource boards, accessible via web and mobile application.
ODA Annual Fund Unrestricted charitable giving program supporting educators, technology, arts, athletics, and student programs at ODA.
Founders Fund Restricted charitable fund established in 2020 by Tally and Chris Harris to provide financial assistance covering technology, textbooks, transportation, uniforms, meals, art equipment, school trips, and test preparation for high-need students.
Corporate Champions Program Corporate sponsorship program where businesses partner with ODA and receive publicity through the school's various communications channels and events.
Campus Dining Services Meal plans and daily food service provided at all three campuses through partners Flik Independent School Dining (Siesta Key and Uihlein) and Fresh Flamingo (Clark Road), generating revenue through annual/semester meal plans and per-meal payments.
Community Service Program Service learning opportunities across all grade levels, including the annual Founders Day of Service, with Upper School students dedicating nearly 30,000 hours of service annually during the 2024-2025 school year.

Quantifiable outcome

Nearly 30,000 hours of community service contributed by Upper School students in 2024-2025 school year
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use The Out-of-Door Academy

Customer profile

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

The Out-of-Door Academy technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

The Out-of-Door Academy partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Flik Independent School DiningcoreOthersPremier provider of food service for over 165 private and independent schools, partnering with ODA to provide healthy food options for students at Siesta Key and Uihlein Campuses. Offers rotating menus with soups, entrées, vegetarian items, deli selections, and a bountiful salad bar.
Fresh FlamingocoreOthersFresh Flamingo offers freshly prepared, nutritious meals delivered daily to the Clark Road Lower School campus. Parents can conveniently order online.
AAP AirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Affordable Closets IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Animal Health CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
APC PediatricsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Boat Guys of SarasotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Buddy's BagelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Card My Yard Lakewood RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Dr. Quintal & Associates CounselingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Flanders Gas, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Florida Design WorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Freeman OrthodonticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
The Goddard SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Heritage Golf GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Jeff's Bagel RunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Kirkplan Kitchen and BathminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Lakewood Ranch and Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Merrill Lynch, Thomas MeyersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
PDQ BradentonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports MedicineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
SmileWorks Kids DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Tori Turner, RealtorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Tsunami SarasotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
US Tent RentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Vertical | Design+BuildminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
The Wellness SpaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Zarghami GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Champion partner for 2025-26 school year
Soccer Shots SuncoastminorOthersSummer Academy partner providing soccer camp instruction for PK-Grade 3 at Clark Road campus
VAC EnrichmentminorOthersThird-party enrichment provider for summer programs including Hogwarts Express camp
Pure Imagination StudiosminorOthersThird-party provider for Art & Eats summer camp combining art and cooking programs
Little Medical School SuncoastminorOthersThird-party provider for Little Vet School and Med School Mash-Up summer camps
Bits, Bytes & BotsminorOthersThird-party provider for Coding with Minecraft summer camp using Minecraft Education app
STEManiaminorOthersThird-party provider for BioQuest biology-focused summer camp
Over a dozen nonprofits (Founders Day of Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partner organizations where ODA students complete service projects during Founders Day of Service
Siesta Key AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Siesta Key STEM Day of Service including storm drain decal installation project
Sarasota County NEST ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for environmental conservation service projects on Siesta Key
Lakewood Ranch Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization recognizing ODA students for Junior Humanitarian Awards

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

The Out-of-Door Academy competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

IMG Academy: Bradenton, FL K-12 boarding and day school with a national brand built on athletics and college placement. Overlaps with ODA on Tampa Bay geography and college-prep mission, but scales as a broader, more commercial incumbent.

Direct peers

Palmer Trinity School: Miami, FL independent day school serving grades 6-12. Comparable in size, mission, college-prep curriculum, and emphasis on character/leadership development.
The Bolles School: Jacksonville, FL independent day and boarding college-preparatory school serving pre-K-12. Comparable in mission, scope of programming, athletics prominence, and college-prep focus.
Berkeley Preparatory School: Tampa, FL independent pre-K-12 college-preparatory day school with a similar whole-child academic/arts/athletics profile. Closest peer by geography, mission, and student demographic in the Tampa Bay region.
Saint Stephen's Episcopal School: Bradenton, FL independent pre-K-12 day school in the same Tampa Bay/Sarasota market; comparable tuition positioning, college-prep curriculum, and arts/athletics offerings.
Shorecrest Preparatory School: St. Petersburg, FL independent pre-K-12 day school with a comparable whole-child educational model and college-preparatory focus in the same regional market.
Canterbury School of Florida: St. Petersburg, FL Episcopal independent day school serving pre-K-12; directly overlaps with ODA in mission, religious-affiliated independent schooling, and Tampa Bay regional market.
Ransom Everglades School: Miami, FL independent college-preparatory day school serving grades 6-12. Comparable in mission, college-prep curriculum, and whole-child programming, though larger and in a different Florida region.

Others

NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools): Industry association of which ODA is a member (referenced via NAIS SSS methodology for financial aid). Comparable in the sense that NAIS benchmarking, accreditation, and peer data inform ODA's positioning relative to other member schools.

Regional players

Pine View School: Public gifted school in Osprey, FL (Sarasota County). Competes with ODA for academically advanced students in the same regional market but operates on a public-financing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

The Out-of-Door Academy financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

The Out-of-Door Academy leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

The Out-of-Door Academy funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

The Out-of-Door Academy M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Out-of-Door Academy

What does The Out-of-Door Academy do?

Is The Out-of-Door Academy a public or private company?

The Out-of-Door Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was The Out-of-Door Academy founded?

The Out-of-Door Academy was founded in 1924. It employs 251 to 500 people.

Where is The Out-of-Door Academy based?

The Out-of-Door Academy is headquartered in Sarasota, United States, in the North America region.

How does The Out-of-Door Academy make money?

Six revenue lines are on record. Tuition is the primary driver. The others are annual Fund Donations, founders Fund, corporate Champions Program, campus Dining Services and summer Academy Programs.

Who are The Out-of-Door Academy's main competitors?

IMG Academy is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Palmer Trinity School, The Bolles School, Berkeley Preparatory School, Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Canterbury School of Florida and Ransom Everglades School. NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) is listed as an others. Pine View School is listed as a regional player.

Does The Out-of-Door Academy have an API?

No public API is recorded for The Out-of-Door Academy.

What industry is The Out-of-Door Academy in?

The Out-of-Door Academy's product category is Private K-12 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.