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 VPK.
"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 heading into VPK, 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 very first days through VPK.
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. In our small, close-knit classrooms, 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 →Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School is a welcoming, Christ-centered family, dedicated to sharing our love and faith.
“Good Shepherd Lutheran School nurtures the whole child through play while encouraging Christian values and lifelong learning in a dynamic world.”
We envision a nurturing, faith-filled environment where every child grows strong in heart, mind, and spirit. Grounded in the love of Christ and guided by research-based curriculum and partnership with families, we seek to nurture children who are deeply rooted in character and prepared for a lifetime of learning and service. With dedicated educators, supportive Christian community, and whole-child approach, we plant seeds of faith, confidence, and compassion—believing the early years are the soil in which our future is cultivated.
We provide a play-based curriculum that encourages curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery. Our six foundational “roots”—problem solving, responsibility, independence, manners, empathy, and self-control—are woven into daily experiences, helping children develop academic, social-emotional, and spiritual tools needed to thrive.
Our six foundational "roots" shape how we approach social and emotional learning — woven into every classroom, every day, at every age.
Teaching children to think through challenges and find solutions with confidence and creativity.
Encouraging children to take ownership of their actions, belongings, and role in the community.
Building the skills and confidence to try new things and grow into capable, self-reliant individuals.
Cultivating respect and kindness in how children engage with teachers, classmates, and the world.
Nurturing the ability to understand and share the feelings of others — a cornerstone of lasting friendship.
Helping children recognize their emotions and make thoughtful choices, even when it's hard.
From our youngest infants through VPK, 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 fun, faith-filled summer program for VPK graduates through 5th graders — keeping kids engaged, active, and growing all summer long.
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 has been part of the Good Shepherd family since she was 4 years old. 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 VPK — 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."
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.
Summer camp runs June 1st through July 24th — a fun, faith-filled summer for VPK graduates through 5th grade.
Help us stock local food pantries — donations accepted at the school office.
Join us for our Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 9am. Come tour the campus and meet our staff!
Welcome back! Doors open for the 2026–2027 school year.
Our signature fundraiser supporting school programs and students. Join us on the green!
The best way to understand Good Shepherd is to hear from the families who already call it home.
We are so grateful for Good Shepherd Lutheran School, where our children have been nurtured since they were just 4 months old — it’s a truly happy, loving, and safe environment that we wholeheartedly recommend to any family looking for exceptional early childhood care.
My 3 children all went to Good Shepherd and I can’t say enough great things about it. We are sad to leave, but I feel they all left very well prepared for kindergarten and made so many great friends and special memories there. The VPK program at this school is excellent!
We love Good Shepherd preschool! Our son is in the 2s class and he absolutely loves it. He is genuinely so happy there, the teachers are warm and embracing. We feel loved and safe and are so excited about how much he’s learning.
Good Shepherd is building a brand-new school facility to serve even more Sarasota families. Every gift — large or small — helps plant seeds for the next generation of children in our community.
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.