• General Information

    Manatee School For the Arts is tuition free, arts infused, public charter middle and high school, which strives for academic and artistic excellence in a safe, student-centered environment. We are fully accredited at the high school and middle school levels by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and are the only accredited public middle school in Manatee County. We are also one of five Gold Seal of Excellence Charter Schools in the state of Florida and has been recognized by the Department of Education as a High Performing Charter School!!
     
    Please explore our website for more information about MSA!
     

     Enrollment and Hours

    Students are accepted from Manatee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough Counties. Middle School students are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, and subject to class size limits and ESE parameters required by the student, yet within the MSA Charter guidelines.  Space is limited. High School applicants are chosen through an interview/audition with our staff. Students at the High School level must demonstrate a desire for higher level studies in one of the arts, Visual Art, Graphic Art, Theatre, Music, or Dance. Click here for more information about our application process as well as a downloadable application.
     
    Grades: 6-12    Enrollment: 2000 students       
    Middle School Class Size Average: 22:1 High School Class Size Average: 25:1
    Hours: Middle School - 9:45a.m. To 4:40p.m. 
    High School - 8:10-2:55pm
     

    Curriculum and Special Programs

    MSA’s curricula includes a program of studies based on the Florida Sunshine State Standards, with a focus on an arts-infused approach reaching student's individual needs by using multiple intelligence strategies in all classes.

     

    Service Learning

     

    Habitat for Humanity

    Adopt a Highway Program

    Take Stock in Children Run

    Shoe Donation Program

    Relay for LIfe

    Southeastern Guide Dogs

    Great American Cleanup

     

    Key Club

     

     

    Special Programs

    Academic focus at all levels at all grade levels – Basic–Regular -Advanced

    Gifted (6-12) and High School level courses starting in 7th grade.

    Comprehensive 6th Grade Program which introduces student to all the areas of the arts – Visual Art, Graphic Art, Theatre, Music and Dance

    Music Program includes all Orchestral and Band instruments, Keyboard, Guitar and Choral
    7th or 8th Grades – Algebra I, French I and  Spanish I, English I                            

    Field trips to area attractions – EPCOT, ASOLO Theatre, Ringling Art Museum

    Computer based math programs

    8th Grade – Geometry, Spanish II, French II, Biology, English II

    Exceptional Student Education

    Computer Graphics programs, starting using Adobe Illustrator in 6th Grade

    Dual Enrollment College Courses starting in 9th Grade with the option of students taking classes at the SCF Campus starting in 11th grade.

    Rigirous Pre-AP and AP Courses of Study starting in 7th Grade

    6th Grade Greek Olympics and Meso-American Festival

    Students can graduate MSA  30 or more college credits from The State College of Florida and/or USF Sarasota-Manatee.

    8th grade End of Year activities

    6th Grade Etiquette Dance

    HOSA

    Senior Grad Trip

    National Honor Society

    National Junior Honor Society

    Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society

    National Dance Honor Society

    School Dances (6th and 7th Grade during the school day)

    Key Club

    MSA Heat, JV Heat, Inferno and Strikers Dance Teams

     Chamber Choir

    Jazz Band

     

    Before School Care

    Before School Care is a service offered at 7a.m., and is supervised by MSA Staff for a nominal charge. Our food service department provides a balanced meal for any student interested. Click here for more information.
     

    Transportation to and from Manatee School For the Arts

    MSA provides transportation to and from school from any part of Manatee County. Students are transported our bus partners, A&S Transportation. Click Here for more information.

     

    Sampling of a few of the after school activities offered throughout the year at MSA.

    National Junior Honor Society

    Anime Club

    National Honor Society

    MS and HS Thespians

    Robotics Club

    Spanish Club

    French Club

    Competitive Dance (Strikers & HEAT)

    Key Club

    Movie Club
     
     Food Services

    Our food services staff provides more choices for breakfast and lunch than any Manatee County School.  From our standard lunch fair to a wide variety of salads and sandwiches, as well as pizza and a la carte menu items for lunch daily, we are confident there is something for everyone.  Our breakfast program provides a nutritional menu to choose from each morning. Students can put money on their account so they don’t have to being money each day, and can bring their own lunch if they wish. 

    Applications are available for the free and reduced lunch program are available through our Food Service Manager. Click here for more information.

     
     Uniforms

    Click here for full description of our strictly enforced dress code policy.

    Uniforms shirts are sold at the  MSA Uniform Shop located at the school.

    Uniform bottoms for Middle School Students may be purchased at many fine retailers such as Target, Walmart, JC Penney or many others.  Please carefully read the uniform description at the link above. 
     

    Communication and Parent Involvement

    Parent / Student Contracts – Required standards of excellence for communication, behavior, and work ethics.

    School website – contains upcoming events, electronic copies of Parent Updates and School Newsletters, schedules, the school calendar, and links to many other useful resources within and outside the school.

    Parent E-mail Updates– is a bi-weekly e-mail update sent to parents for whom we have current e-mail addresses for.  Items in this update will include school events ongoing, reminders, and other important information about the school. 
              Facebook - Please make use to like us on Facebook - if you use this social media tool, it can be a good way to keep up with what is going on at MSA
     

    Parent/Teacher Organization/Department Boosters – Regular meetings are held throughout the year to support the school.  The boosters coordinate events such as supervision during performances, help with fundraisers, and other student centered activities. 

    Gradebook Portal– is an online service for parents and students to track their progress. (Activation codes are supplied to each family at the beginning of the year).

    Every parent/guardian is expected to complete at least 10 hours of service to the school annually.  Please look for opportunities to support your child.
Last Modified on May 17, 2021