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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 School (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 studentsMiddle School Class Size Average: 22:1 High School Class Size Average: 25:1Hours: Middle School - 9:45a.m. To 4:40p.m.High School - 8:10-2:55pmCurriculum 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 IField 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 ServicesOur 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.
UniformsClick 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 MSAParent/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.