Lakewood Ranch High busy even before students return

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Manatee County students return to school Monday, but Bradenton’s Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) was a busy place this week.

The school served as a staging area for Florida National Guard and Division of Emergency Management personnel and equipment helping local residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby.

“Lakewood Ranch is proud to extend our hospitality to the Guard,” said LRHS Principal Dustin Dahlquist. “It’s a chance to help people in our community who may be struggling with property damage or other issues related to the storm.”

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Meanwhile, LRHS hosted the annual new student orientations Wednesday to welcome students into the 2024-2025 school year.

The orientations consisted of presentations to around 1200 people by LRHS Principal Dustin Dahlquist and administrators. They covered first day procedures, graduation requirements, school policies, athletics, and clubs.

LRHS Athletics Director Kent Ringquist also amused the crowd in an LRHS athletics trivia contest.

Dahlquist ended the presentation by sharing some of LRHS’s successes, including the new athletic field, the opening of the $20 million dollar Building 8, a new roof, and new Promethean presentation boards in every classroom.

Additionally, LRHS recently celebrated its sixth year being an A-grade school and had a 97% graduation rate with around 1000 Advanced Placement (AP) tests passed.

Incoming students and parents also had the chance to interact with different LRHS clubs on display around campus.

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Many parents and incoming students found the orientation to be a helpful way to get to know what LRHS was all about.

Michelle Silliman, mother of an incoming freshman, shared that as a new LRHS parent she found that the orientation was well-organized and informative.

“It has been motivating to hear of all the opportunities and clubs LRHS has to offer,” Silliman added.

Adria Jensen, a mother of incoming freshmen and incoming senior at LRHS, also had a positive experience.

“Despite having another student enrolled here, I think the orientation is still helpful in reminding me of the important aspects of LRHS,” said Jensen.

Incoming freshman Dylan Jensen said, “I am excited for new opportunities to make friends and join clubs.”

Dahlquist urged all students to get involved at LRHS.

“The school is what you make of it, you are going to be ready to do what you want to do when you leave here,” he said.