Sarasota Academy of the Arts

Sarasota Academy of the Arts (SAA) is a public charter school authorized by the Sarasota County School Board to provide a free public education for students in grades kindergarten through eight. SAA had an enrollment of 202 students at the end of its first year, and now serves 176 students. As a public school, SAA follows the calendar of the traditional public schools, 180 days of instruction for eight hours per day. The niche provided by SAA is that of a performing and visual arts school, open to all students within commuting distance. The students in the past have participated in onstage musical performances including Broadway Our Way and Disney Our Way musicals, and many community service activities. The middle school music program completed performances with our National Beta Team in Nashville. These activities are directly related to the Mission Statement in that we wish to develop students who are well-rounded with self-confidence in themselves.Throughout the year the students participated in several community service activities ranging from raising funds for the families hurt by the Hurricane and food campaigns. Students attend SAA for an extended day 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM. This allows each student to participate in the core academic classes expected in any school day. It also allows for classes in physical education, Spanish, art, technology, and music. Students needing extra help, have access to services provided in ESOL, exceptional education, gifted classes as well as intensive math and reading.