Academy of Arts & Minds

Parents should know that the US News ranking is based on data from the 2010-2011 school year when there was an experienced principal who had recruited a great teacher staff. They are all gone now!! In 2011 parents started asking questions about the lack of both resources and transparency at the school which resulted in an investigation by MDCPS of the people running it thru the "nonprofit" that holds the charter. Take a look at the audit report that cited many concerns. Read the articles in the Miami herald. And understand that all of the academic teachers in the 2010-2011 year that was used for the USNews ranking left the school within a year bc of the many concerns raised. Thus the ranking is about the school that was, This charter school is not operated for the kids. Don't trust any of the hype. If you care about your kids don't send them here!
—Submitted by a parent

Congratulations to the Academy of Arts & Minds Charter High School (A&M) in Coconut Grove, Florida, for Ranking #18 Top High School in Florida, #2 Top Miami Dade Charter Schools and #6 Top Miami Dade High School by US News & World Report According to the US News & World Report, there are many Florida schools ranked among the U.S. News Best High Schools, including 31 with gold medals, 58 with silver medals and 30 with bronze medals. This is a tremendous achievement for high schools across the country. To be eligible for a state ranking, a school must be awarded a national gold or silver medal. Academy of Arts & Minds Charter High School is among the best charter schools in Florida.
—Submitted by a parent

Congratulations to that the Academy of Arts & Minds Charter High School (A&M) for being ranked #18 Top High School in Florida, ranked #2 Top Miami Dade Charter Schools and ranked #6 Top Miami Dade High School by US News & World Report . What a tremendous achievement for A&M .to be among the best high schools in Florida. Job well done !!!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am currently a sophomore at this school and have been attending A&M since last year. If you're a student currently interested in auditioning/applying for A&M or a parent reading this right now, you should be prepared for the administration. Last year, while I was a freshman, we nearly flew through almost three principles and now that we finally have one set, the office is still a total and complete mess. HOWEVER though this school is very unorganized, they treat each and every student like a person. It really is just like a big family here, helping eachother out through ups and downs. Bullying most definetly does NOT exist here at all. If you are the parent of a child or is currently a kid unhappy and feeling mistreated at your current school, A&M is an option. Your child will not only acheive academically but also socially and emotionally. ALSO the art programs are absolutely fantastic in this school, there is such a passion here and we all unite together with similar minds at The Academy of Arts & Minds! -Sabrina
—Submitted by a student

Great program, love the energy of the space and the commitment to artist development and creative freedoms. I ran into a comment yesterday that seemed more like a sabotage than an a actual review of likes and dislikes. Yes the school has had some changes in the past months that might have seem a bit unorthodox. But as a result, the new staff recruited as part of the faculty with excellent resumes and impeccable reputations have demonstrated by putting the extra work and overtime hours, that believing in something this valuable and important is more than just a job. Its part of being a good leader and educator. As an art school graduate and artist, I don't have enough characters in this box to explain the importance of having a creative environment and space in which to grow, develop, experiment and fit our different ways of being. On that note i extend my thanks to the hard working group of teachers, directors, composers, musicians, actors, dancers, painters and future artist that's the Academy of arts and mind for continue to believe, fight, change, evolve and support the importance of artist education and craft foundation development. Good luck! keep counting heads.

!!!It is the best school of art that exists in Florida!!! ***** !!!Exelentes teachers!!! !!!High Ratings Administration!!! !!!This is a great school rated A+!!! !!!Bravoooooooooooooo A & M!!! Long life to Academy of ARTS & MINDS.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school.......the best and friendliest students attend this school. Check out the students' performances on www.aandm.net Highly recommend this school to all performing arts students and parents stop by -see for yourselves.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent satisfied with the Academy of Arts & Minds and the governance of the school. My 11 grader has been at the school since 9th grade. I ve not gotten involved in the mudslinging by a very small group of former parents who can t seem to let go but it has gotten so degrading that I need to say something. A&M is a great school that provides a special environment for students looking for an education steeped in the arts. The negative comments from the few angry parents that tried but failed to take over the school s governance last year should not deter students interested in a solid arts based education from considering this school. The other 950 parents -who like the school s administration- blocked those looking only at their personal agenda and not the best interests of the students. Fortunately they took their kids out and are no longer part of the school. The fact is that the administration has delivered an A+ school in the past 2 years, and B grades the two years before, is designated a High Performing Charter School by the Department of Education and provides a great learning environment for its students. That! speaks for itself.
—Submitted by a parent

Sad case. Very poor administration, lack of books, lack of consistency in the classroom. The kids deserve better. The arts programs do not adequately address the different levels of the kids and the ones that are more advanced do not get the training they need. The ones that are "dabbling" have a good time but drag the rest down. I'm all for introduction to the arts but in a school that bills itself as an academy for both arts and minds one would expect more. Instead both are poorly addressed.
—Submitted by a parent

Great Atmosphere for High School Students. It's hard to find a High School in South Florida that holds only up to 500 students with free tuition. Very intimate and small niche place, they treat students more like a person at A&M and not like a number. Students are 1 of 500, not 1 of 2,000 or even 3,000 students.

This school is a joke!!! The fact that they have had 3 principals in 1 year and a high turnover in teachers and students from last years should scare you off. The academics are very poor and the administration has no consideration for the kids when they continue to fire good teachers throughout the school year. Do not let the A rating fool you, it is based on last years report when there was good teachers and dedicated students. This year the majority of the students from last year have left the school due to its unstable status. They continue to let any child in regardless of their interest in the Arts, just so they can have a higher head count for their monthly paycheck for each child. The school count is down to about 350 students, that should tell you it is not at capacity because of its decline due to the management's dysfunction in running the school properly. If you care about the future of your child - DO NOT SEND THEM TO THIS SCHOOL!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I was part of the second graduating class at A&M and although many people talk badly about the school, I can say with 100% accuracy that the schools infant years were magical, engaging and generally ridiculous. The student body was unique, the teachers were free to do basically whatever they wanted and that freedom led to a lot of interesting, fulfilling educational opportunities. This school saved my life, I would have been a different person if it wasnt for A&M. Even if at the time all of us "hated" it and talked smack, it was the most fun school you could have gone to... A&M in its early years was like woodstock, itll never happen again, and those that were lucky enough to experience it will remember it forever.
—Submitted by a student

I WAS a student at A&M and I will admit, I did not enjoy my stay too much. The arts isn't for everyone and this school tried to shove music down my throat. The classes are a joke, not challenging at all and the discipline is terrible. I have never been in a more talkative music class in my entire life. Most of the kids have a very "I don't want to do anything" attitude and this school has gone through so many teachers and staff that it's hard to just get used to the environment. Theres also no special activities, within my two years there I didn't go on not 1 field trip, very uninvolved school and 7 periods a day is exhausting, and they couldn't chose a worse dismissal time, 3:15 when rush hour begins. Also the school is incredibly crowded with WAYYYYY too many students. I am happy that I left this school.

Well, i just recently Left this school, and i can not honestly say it was great, i hated it to be honest, the students, where not that bad, but had many issues, but anyways, the teachers never showed me much respect, especially one no names given, but i would not recommend this school for anyone, im into arts, but this school isnt the place for arts, new world school of the arts is a better place
—Submitted by a student

alot of kids whant to leave the school just because theres no sports, or missing friends. those are not good reason because those aspects of highschool are not what get you into a good college. No matter what the school if you show academic excellence your future is bright. being in such a small school im pretty much guarenteed a spot in the top 1% of the school you know what that is? its amazing, i work hard and i know im going to go somewhere in life. The teachers are understanding, the counselor is caring, the students are kind were like a big family :)
—Submitted by a student

I am a senior at the Academy of Arts and Minds. I am thankful every day that I decided to attend this school. Even through all the positive evolution I've seen over my four years, A&M remains a hidden gem. I have had unbelievably stellar teachers, teachers who I can truly label intellectuals. The atmosphere is an inclusive one, without the traditional "clique" system which pervades adolescence. The tradition has been in place since my freshman year there. At 14 I was shocked that the seniors were actually being...human with me. Friendships know none of the traditional boundaries found elsewhere. Teachers and administration are important for any institution, but there's no way to describe the spirit of A&M. An inclusive, positive, intellectual atmosphere like ours would make for better performance at even the worst school. My teachers have been brilliant, and my friends have been unbelievably diverse, talented, bright, and down to earth. I believe the environment I have been afforded has allowed me to be more than ready for whatever University I elect to attend.
—Submitted by a student

My son attended this school last year. He did have some good teachers, but with great inconsistencies and voids in the approach. He no longer attends there, and my opinion may not be as valuable as others on this thread. I was concerned that much was missing when compared to my son's friends' experiences in similar courses at other schools. The school's administration was not always responsive. And there has been a big teacher turnover rate in some of the arts programs that have taken their toll on quality. I would not say the school is catastrophic, but there are other great alternatives that I feel benefit kids better.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from A&M in 2010 and I can honestly say I loved my school! What most impressed me about A&M was the dedication of the teachers and the similarities between a school and a family. The teachers at A&M, particularly my senior year, were willing to stay after school countless times to prepare us for our AP exam. More so, if you had a problem at home, school, or personally, you could always count on being able to converse with one of your teachers and receive heartfelt counseling from them. The closeness between teachers and students, in my opinion, is unique to the A&M environment. A&M truly was like a family to me. There literally are no fights in this school. There are disagreements, as there is in any family, but never fights. All I can say is TRY IT! If you're anything like me, you'll love it!
—Submitted by a student

As a A&M grad, my opinion of this school might be somewhat biased. However, one cannot deny the caliber of the school's educatiobal prowess. The enviroment (Coconut Grove) lends itself to the students' interests and allows anyone to feel as if this school is truly unique, especially with the galleries and colorful enviroment surrounding the school. The staff takes care of the students' artistic talents and the value their art has in society and their self-discovery, at the same time, encourages them to be an educated individual with the demanding school work. Is it hard work for the student to juggle both the extra curricular and the academic? Yes, but we as students understand that that is what is asked of us in the school and in a competitive world. We understand that it takes a great deal of creativity to shine in this school,

I graduated this year (class of 2010! 'ole!') and couldn't be more proud to have graduated from the Academy of Arts and Minds. I entered the school my Junior year, in 2008, the year revamping, big changes and risky transitions were being made and can honestly the institution as well as the faculty and student body itself have grown and continue to grow rapidly. I had always wanted to attend an art school for high school but my parents were skeptical of anything that wasn't the traditional high school education. Arts and Minds's size and location is what initially appealed to me. In my senior class there were only 56 students so the individual attention from teachers and kin-like relationships I formed will stay with me my entire life. Transfering from my ex-private school to Arts and Minds is not a decision I took lightly, but one I will never regret.
—Submitted by a student