I guess someone forgot to tell us that we couldn't do it. Manatee School For the Arts is a charter school in Palmetto, FL. Like all charter schools in Florida, we are a public school. Our funding is similar to other public schools except that we do not get nearly as much capital outlay. We have been infusing the arts into the curriculum and teaching elective arts classes for 12 years now. We have nearly 1300 students in grades 6 through 12. We own our own facilities.
We are a total choice school. 48% of our students are on free and reduced lunch. We are not a Title One school. We bus students from all over Manatee County. We have an approved national lunch and breakfast program. 8 full time dance faculty teach ballet, modern, tap, jazz, ethnic, choregraphy, hip hop and ballroom in 5 (soon to be 6) dance studios. (Ballroom is the most popular!) Band, orchestra, chorus, piano and classical guitar are all offered. All sixth graders are required to read music. Theatre, stagecraft, traditional art and computer generated art all have extensive offerings. Academics? Oh yeah, we're an "A" school here in Florida. Our academic electives are also extensive and one of our largest high school programs is Dual Enrollment with our local college. We are accredited by SACS-CASI. Our faculty are the most well paid in our county and our benefits package is first class. What's the secret? Commitment to the arts, dedication and hard work. I invite you to come visit. We are happy to share. Bill Jones, Ph.D., Principal, Manatee School For the Arts, 700 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, Florida 34221 bjones@msfta.org. Visit our webpage at www.msfta.org There is a promotional video available on the website.
Art, music programs struggle to survive
I guess someone forgot to tell us that we couldn't do it. Manatee School For the Arts is a charter school in Palmetto, FL. Like all charter schools in Florida, we are a public school. Our funding is similar to other public schools except that we do not get nearly as much capital outlay. We have been infusing the arts into the curriculum and teaching elective arts classes for 12 years now. We have nearly 1300 students in grades 6 through 12. We own our own facilities. We are a total choice school. 48% of our students are on free and reduced lunch. We are not a Title One school. We bus students from all over Manatee County. We have an approved national lunch and breakfast program. 8 full time dance faculty teach ballet, modern, tap, jazz, ethnic, choregraphy, hip hop and ballroom in 5 (soon to be 6) dance studios. (Ballroom is the most popular!) Band, orchestra, chorus, piano and classical guitar are all offered. All sixth graders are required to read music. Theatre, stagecraft, traditional art and computer generated art all have extensive offerings. Academics? Oh yeah, we're an "A" school here in Florida. Our academic electives are also extensive and one of our largest high school programs is Dual Enrollment with our local college. We are accredited by SACS-CASI. Our faculty are the most well paid in our county and our benefits package is first class. What's the secret? Commitment to the arts, dedication and hard work. I invite you to come visit. We are happy to share. Bill Jones, Ph.D., Principal, Manatee School For the Arts, 700 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, Florida 34221 bjones@msfta.org. Visit our webpage at www.msfta.org There is a promotional video available on the website.