Good Shepherd Lutheran School is Sarasota's trusted Christ-centered community — where small class sizes, devoted teachers, and a warm faith-filled atmosphere help children flourish from their very first days through elementary school.
"Dedicated to sharing our love and faith."
For decades, Good Shepherd Lutheran School has been a cornerstone of the Sarasota community. We are a place where children are known by name, families feel genuinely at home, and faith and learning grow side by side.
Whether your child is joining us as an infant or entering elementary school, they will be met with warmth, high expectations, and the kind of personal attention that only a close-knit school can offer. Our teachers don't just teach — they invest.
Get in TouchWe bring together rigorous academics, genuine faith, and deep personal care — from your child's first day all the way through graduation.
A Christ-centered curriculum that challenges every student to grow — academically, spiritually, and as a person. High expectations, delivered with patience and encouragement.
Our programs →Our teachers know your child by name — their strengths, their quirks, their potential. With a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, no child falls through the cracks here.
Meet the staff →Grounded in Lutheran Christian values, we nurture the whole child — heart, mind, and spirit. Faith isn't an add-on here. It's woven into everything we do.
Our mission →From our youngest infants to our elementary students, every age group has a dedicated classroom, a dedicated teacher, and a program built around how children learn best at that stage.
A safe, nurturing environment where our youngest learners receive attentive one-on-one care from experienced, loving teachers.
Play-based discovery, language development, and social beginnings — in a warm classroom built just for curious toddlers.
Creative exploration through art, music, sensory play, and early literacy — where little personalities really start to shine.
Florida's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program delivered with the warmth and faith focus that sets Good Shepherd apart.
A full academic program grounded in Christian values, small class sizes, and teachers who know and champion every student.
We believe the best schools are places where children feel safe enough to take risks, encouraged enough to work hard, and loved enough to know it doesn't all rest on a test score. That's the Good Shepherd difference.
No website captures what it feels like to walk through our doors — the warmth, the energy of kids learning, the teachers who greet you by name before you've even enrolled. Come see it in person.
Fill out the form and we'll reach out within one business day to schedule your personal campus tour at a time that works for your family.
You can get a head start by filling out our full enrollment application online — save time and come to your tour ready to talk details.
Apply OnlineComplete the enrollment application here and save time before your visit — no paper forms when you arrive.
Our dedicated staff bring warmth, experience, and faith to every classroom and office at Good Shepherd. They're not just teachers — they're invested in your child.
Ms. Jenn is in her 3rd year as Director and her 9th year at Good Shepherd. Before becoming director she spent 16 years in the classroom. She holds her Director's Credential, an Associate's and Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education, and is excited to break ground on the new building this year.
Katy has spent 20+ years in early childhood education and three years at GSLS. She holds her Associate's, Director's Credential, and VPK Credential, and is working toward her Bachelor's in ECE. You'll most often find her in the infant and toddler rooms.
Jess has been part of the Good Shepherd family since she was 4 years old — she attended here from Pre-K through 8th grade. Now in her 13th year on staff, she leads the Chickadees VPK class and became Assistant Director in 2023. She holds her National CDA, Director's Credential, and First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
Starting her 23rd year as Office Manager, Marlene first came to GSLS as a parent in 1995. She and her husband Jerry are Navy veterans; both of their children graduated from GSLS. Her beloved mini-dachshund Daisy wins hearts in the office every day.
Miss Amber has been teaching on and off for 11 years, working with ages 6 weeks through grade school. She's a GSLS alum — she attended school here from age 3 through elementary — and has worked at Good Shepherd a total of about five and a half years. "I love seeing our littlest friends learn and develop new skills!"
Nicole joined GSLS in June 2022 and brings 8 years of childcare experience with ages 6 weeks–4 years. A Sarasota local by way of New York, she has a huge passion for early childhood development and loves watching every baby grow.
New to Good Shepherd this year, Berkley brings 11 years of childcare experience with infants through middle schoolers. She believes every student has a different learning style and each deserves the chance to learn the way they need to.
Ms. Alexis has been part of the Good Shepherd family for almost three years, working with 1-year-olds, floating classrooms, and now leading the 8–14 month room. A new mom herself, she brings a whole new level of love to her teaching. "My goal is to help each child feel safe, loved, and encouraged."
In her 3rd year at Good Shepherd and 6th year of teaching overall, Ms. Adrianna holds her Florida Child Care Professional Credential. She comes from a big family and pours that love into her classroom every day.
Miss Patty is in her third year at Good Shepherd as Ms. Adrianna's aide. What makes her school day even more special: her daughter Ms. Katy and oldest granddaughter Ms. Alexis are also teachers here. "Good Shepherd truly feels like family."
This is Ms. Shylah's 4th year teaching at Good Shepherd. Mom to four kids, she loves magnatiles, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, play doh, process art, and science experiments. "In my classroom we love to explore and get creative."
In her 7th year of teaching and 3rd at Good Shepherd, Ms. Ashley is all about making learning fun through play-based activities and sensory adventures — squishing, building, dancing, and imagining. "There's always something exciting going on in our classroom!"
Riley has been at Good Shepherd for about 4 years and serves as Ms. Ashley's aide while completing online classes at SCF. "I'm so excited to be working here again this year."
Kim has worked at Good Shepherd for about 9 years across every age group, from infants to VPK. Mom of three daughters and newly a grandmother (Mimi!), she's a devoted Tampa Bay sports fan and Disney devotee.
A Sarasota native and Riverview High School graduate, Amy brings nearly 8 years of childcare experience to GSLS. Her son Marcelo is also a student here. "I feel my role is to create a nurturing, positive environment where children feel safe to explore and learn."
Originally from New Jersey, Ms. Dee moved to Florida in 2020 and studied Early Childhood Education at Kean University. A proud mom of four, she has been supporting Good Shepherd's preschool classrooms for nine months. "It's a joy to be part of their early learning journey."
New to GSLS this year, Sara Beth brings a background in a hospital setting and customer service, plus a love for music, singing, and gaming. "I love seeing the kids' personalities shine as they grow and get more comfortable in their environment."
Ms. Heidi is in her 21st year teaching at Good Shepherd and has been part of the GSLS family since 1998. Both of her children attended here; her daughter Ms. Jess now teaches right next door. A passionate early literacy advocate, she loves letting children explore and discover through play.
Chelly holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from East Carolina University and has worked at GSLS since January 2019. This is her 6th year with Ms. Heidi. Married 34 years, she has two grown children and one granddaughter entering third grade.
Ms. Shannon is honored to start her 6th year as Ms. Jess's aide. Over 7 years at GSLS she has helped in several classrooms. Mom to a daughter Peyton and son Maddox (a 1st-degree black belt!), she volunteers with her daughter's prison ministry and loves college football and baking.
In her 3rd year of VPK and 6th year at GSLS, Ms. J is a 2nd-generation Sarasota native raising her own 3rd generation here. She's big on play learning, sensory exploration, emotional and social skills, and personal responsibility. "Our classroom is a family."
A Sarasota native in her 4th year at GSLS and 5th year in VPK, Ms. Annette is a proud mom to a 10-year-old daughter and golden doodle Lady. Working toward her Bachelor's in Education, she believes children learn best through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences.
From open houses and fundraisers to back-to-school nights and community service — there's always something going on at Good Shepherd.
Our signature fundraiser supporting school programs and students.
Tour the campus, meet our teachers, and find the right program for your child.
A fun-filled week of activities, learning, and friendship for kids of all ages.
Help us stock local food pantries — donations accepted all week at the school office.
Meet your teachers and classmates before the first day of school.
Welcome back! Doors open for the 2026–2027 school year.
The best way to understand Good Shepherd is to hear from the families who already call it home.
The teachers know my kids by name and truly care about who they're becoming — not just their grades. We feel like part of a family here, not just a number on a roster.
My daughter has been at Good Shepherd since she was an infant. Watching her grow up here — and seeing how much the staff truly love these kids — has been one of the great gifts of our family's life.
Booking a tour online and filling out the application ahead of time made everything so easy. By the time we visited in person, we already felt at home. Enrollment was seamless.
Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are open. We'd love to meet you and your child — come take a look around.
Planning a tour or have a question? Reach out — we're glad you're here and happy to help.