Manatee School for the Arts

We have had our problems at MSA. Things have been very rocky over the years, but I'm proud to be a graduating 2012 student! The teachers are what keep us all together. They are always there to help when we need it, and I love the fact that everyone gets involved here with various activities. It might have alot of administration problems, but WE as a student population overall are doing GREAT! Dont let "blank walls" or "bad administration" stop you from coming to this school. Its about the education, and the students. Overall, Ive done alot better here than Lakewood if you ask me.. much better choice if your a performer!!! Sometimes you just have to see it during school hours to see it. We might not be like what you see in Fame, but we're MSA! People have been leaving during the years for various reasons, but I've been here to stay for 3 years. I wouldn't change anything for the world because I've learned so much, and have taken it all in. If your a bright, good kid, you'll never have to worry about administration, and/or problems.

this school is a complete joke to parents i mean the teachers are put downs to are kids and they really dont keep the parents in the loop. i should of thought twice about this school. im puting my child in lakewood ranch high that a better school for him and it a A rated school so make sure if your a parnet like me make sure you actually look into the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attends MSA and we couldn't be happier with the teachers, administrative staff, and quality of the programs. Their "ridiculously strict uniform policy" means that the students have to wear a embroidered polo shirt (bought through the school) and the middle school students have to wear Khaki pants or shorts. The color selection does vary based on whether the student is in middle or high school. As parents my wife and I love it and based on what I see students in other school wearing it is much preferred to dressing to "express themselves creatively." My son is in the music program and has no shortage of options when it comes to electives. In fact, next year three of his four electives are within the music program. Certainly far more options and variety than offered in most public schools. This school is not for every student, but my son loves it and my daughter can't wait to get there. And if "a lot of students are planning to leave this year" it sure doesn't show in enrollment numbers for the coming academic year.
--Submitted by a parent

School for the arts? I recommend that you tour this school. There is no singing echoing down the halls, no art displayed - nothing like what you would expect of a school for the arts. Blank walls in a school for the arts? Also, they have a ridiculously strict uniform policy. Think about that? This should be a place where students are encouraged to express themselves creatively. I am the parent of a student who attends this school and is leaving at the end of the school year. There are not enough music classes for him so he's going back to public school. He's an easy going kid who doesn't complain much and gets along with everyone - he says the admin staff is extremely disrespectful to the students. That they talk down to them. I didn't like that at all. And, from what I hear, a lot of students are planning to leave this year.
--Submitted by a parent

msa was the best school your children would ever go to i went there for two years i took choreography and modern dance the teachers there are great and they work hands on with us i wish i stayed at msa i would reccomend starting your students at 6th grade here to take dance awareness to acess if your student would like to take for dance if any we have some great dancers at msa and great performers i give it a 10/5.

I went to MSA from 6th through 12th grade! I love it, and always will! I had so many things to write on my resume right out of high school! I am now working as a web designer for a local company, and the only reason they hired me was because I went to MSA and I was able to show them a portfolio of all the work that I did. When they compared the work that I did there, to college students right out of graduation, I knew more about the programs, and better ways to do things then they did, and I learned it all from MSA! Yes, it doesn't have football, or baseball, or soccer, or track, or any of the other sports, but the education and experience you gain just from going to that school will stick with you forever, whatever you decide to do! I would definitely recommend this school to any parent or student!!

I went to MSA for sixth through eighth grade and I am returning this year as a senior in high school. At first, I attended MSA as an alternative to Johnson Middle School (now an IB school; we are now districted for Harllee Middle School) and had no interest in the arts whatsoever. However, by having the opportunity to explore who I was and take different electives not offered at any other school, I learned to LOVE MSA! The teachers are always willing to work with the students and don't shower students with homework every night. MSA is more project-oriented and a great choice for anyone interested in visual and/or performing arts!

teachers need better care of there students be careful who they talk bad about because i am a parent of a student and i am not happy with teachers at that school...
--Submitted by a parent

I have never seen a school that teachers have such passion for what they teach. Awesome School!
--Submitted by Wendy Marx, a parent

I love how I can take all the advanced, honor, and AP classes that I need here, and still get 4 electives. I just wish that this school had a gifted program. All of the programs are very good though.
--Submitted by a student