In a world where budget cuts and standardized tests rule, art and music classes often are among the first excluded from an already crowded curriculum.
A new school opening in Clay County this fall provides parents and students with a school choice where arts in education is the primary emphasis.
Rev. Dr. Alesia Ford-Burse is a local arts education advocate and the driving force behind Clay’s first charter school, Orange Park Performing Arts Academy, which serves grades K-5 beginning Aug. 12.
The Florida Department of Education defines charter schools as “… public schools that operate under a performance contract (charter) which frees them from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results.”
For years, arts education advocates have cited studies suggesting that exposure to the arts leads to improved performance in academics. More recently, this idea was refined by those who believe learning about art, while beneficial, is not as academically potent as actively learning to play an instrument, creating visual art pieces, reading music or learning to dance.
“Observation and research indicate children who are actively involved in the arts have higher self-esteem and self-value,” Ford-Burse said. “This can lead to increased confidence and motivation to develop talents and skills in other areas, as well.
“OPPAA will provide students with a common interest environment. Children with similar interests will have the opportunity to interact and encourage each other, increasing their potential for success in areas related to arts, academics and life skills in general.”
OPPAA’s charter school application was approved in May 2013. After that, the challenge was to complete renovations to the school building at 1324 Kingsley Ave. and get it ready for the first day of school and the nearly 300 students who have applied for admission. Students from all five counties in the Jacksonville region can attend OPPAA but most who have applied are from the greater Orange Park area.
“We can accommodate 275 students and we have waiting lists for some of the lower grade levels,” said school principal Trisha Leitem. “The renovations are nearly complete and the faculty and staff are ready for classes to start.”
The faculty will offer OPPAA students diversity both in terms of background and experience.
“Approximately 75 percent of the teachers are from this area,” Leitem said. “The remaining 25 percent are from other parts of Florida and from as far away as Wyoming. Many are educators with years of experience and some bring a fresh perspective as newer teachers.”
The instrumental music teacher, Gail Henley, taught in Duval County at Stanton College Preparatory, James Weldon Johnson Middle and Fishweir Elementary.
“For the past few years, I have been teaching two instrumental music groups in Clay County,” Henley said. “I am excited about the level of arts immersion OPPAA will bring to the area and its students.”
After-school and Saturday classes also will be available. Saturday classes, which are not mandatory, allow students an additional two hours of tutoring help or instruction.
Leitem said the Saturday classes will be taught by teachers other than those who teach at the school during the week.
“We are preparing students for arts programs at middle- and high-school levels,” she said. “We are working with the district and hope to add sixth grade next year. Eventually our goal is to add middle school, as well.”
According to Diane Kornegay, assistant superintendent for instruction for Clay’s school district, additional educational choices are important.
“All Clay County elementary schools offer resource classes in one or more areas of the arts,” Kornegay said. “Many elementary schools offer before or after school opportunities to participate in chorus and other music or art clubs and programs. Secondary schools offer elective courses in multiple areas of the performing arts.”
In addition, the district is expanding the current high school level career academies with the Academies of Clay beginning this year.
“This will allow more opportunities for students to learn within a field of interest such as the performing arts, art and design, construction and interior design to name a few,” Kornegay said.
“The opening of OPPAA will bring parents and students of Clay County another educational choice which is important when considering the differing needs and interests of our students.”
James Brynildsen, a Clay resident and parent of a 7-year-old, attended a recent OPPAA open house. He was impressed by the staff and faculty he met.
“I am encouraged by the enthusiasm for the arts evident here and the potential this school represents,” Brynildsen said. “As an artist and musician, I want the arts equally represented in my child’s education along with math, science and language arts.
“The existence of this type of arts-focused elementary school in the area is good for the community in general and the local arts community in particular.”
OPPAA may be paving the way for additional charter schools in Clay County.
Kornegay said the district currently is reviewing another charter school application submitted by the Florida Charter Educational Foundation, Inc., which is interested in starting the Clay Charter Academy beginning in August 2015.
