FAQ

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. 

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. 

Grades: 6-12    Enrollment: 1900 students      
Middle School Class Size Average: 22:1 High School Class Size Average: 25:1
Hours: Middle School – 9:45a.m. To 4:35 p.m.
High School – 8:10-2:55 p.m.

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.

Highlights of School 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	High School Classes for Middle School students	Exceptional Student Education
Computer based math programs	Dual Enrollment College Courses starting in 9th Grade with the option of students taking classes at the SCF Campus starting in 11th grade.	AP Courses offered starting in 11th Grade
Computer Graphics programs, starting using Adobe Illustrator in 6th Grade	Rigorous Pre-AP and AP Courses of Study starting in 7th Grade	Earn your Associate’s Degree from SCF BEFORE you graduate high school.
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.	7th and 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. daily, and is supervised by MSA Staff for a nominal charge. Our food service department provides a balanced meal for any student interested.

Transportation to and from Manatee School For the Arts

MSA provides transportation to and from school from most parts of Manatee County. 

• Manatee School For the Arts (MSA) is excited to announce our new bus program for 2021-2022.
• Our new state of ART “Super” buses are rolling onto campus this July owned, and operated by MSA. We will begin providing transportation to and from school for most areas of Manatee County. Among the many new improvements are safer anti-collision technology, online apps to view bus location in real time, SMS notifications when students enter and leave the bus and even student WIFI.

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 in their account so they don’t have to bring money each day, and can bring their own lunch if they wish. 

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

Uniforms

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

Uniform shirts are sold at the  MSA Uniform Shop located at the school or can be purchased online through Manatee Apparel Graphics.

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.