dramatica

Neither teacher, nor counselor. Parent of Dreyfoos theater major. In academia for over 20 years with older visual art child who chose IB with higher level art over Dreyfoos several years ago.

What Dreyfoos has had is an incredibly, stauch group of parents who have gone out and raised private funding against incredible odds. Were it not for the Foundation (School of the Arts Foundation) and additional AP funding from the District, the school would not be able to do many of the things it does in support of these gifted kids. Sadly with the state of the economy in Florida and silly constitutional amendments, next year Dreyfoos may lose a lot of the funding it has had.

The pre-college scholarships you refer to I believe that are mostly financial need based. You are correct that some of the county is affluent, but there is extreme and widespread poverty too and the majority of children attending Dreyfoos are not wealthy.

I personally know of several kids who have attended RISD's pre-college summer program on scholarships. Schools like RISD, Cooper, Parsons, etc are familiar with the strength of curriculum at Dreyfoos and know that these are students who have what it takes to succeed. I imagine that it does not hurt them in the whole admission process that they how know to put a portfolio together and have received an education that is equally strong with respect to academics. Last year and this year the valedictorians have been visual arts students. Both chose to attend Brown because of its relationship with RISD.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that the talent and academic achievement in all the art areas is just as strong as in visual. The GPA difference between the valedictorians and top 10% of the class is really, really small. Middle of the class students have GPA's higher than 3.5 and not due to grade inflation. These are students who compete regionally, nationally and internationally and receive recognition in whatever area they choose to pursue. This year there are at least two dancers who will be going to Julliard and a large number of students who were accepted to Ivies and the most selective LAC'S because they racked up honors not just in their art areas but academically too.

What is Florida doing different? Probably nothing. In fact, education in the non-magnet public schools in Florida is dismal. What we have at Dreyfoos is a "school culture" of parental involvement and dedication that has been passed on from graduating class to graduating class and which started for the most part back in middle school at the Middle School of the Arts. We also have a very good student body and dedicated teachers who can spend time teaching without having to break fights.

I have to run now but will gladly continue to answer or comment if you feel it will help you.