Award Year: 2017
Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
401 Northwest Martin Luther King Junior Avenue
Ocala, FL, 34475-5873
Mrs. Kendra Hamby, Principal at time of Nomination
Mr. Ryan Bennett, Current Principal
Magnet School
Marion County Schools
The stakeholders work together to provide a quality learning environment that ensures success through the integration of the arts, academics, technology, and foreign language.
- Black/African American: 17%
- White: 60%
- Hispanic: 9%
- Asian: 5%
- Native American: 1%
- Two or more races: 8%
- Economically Disadvantaged: 39%
Engaging performances combine drama, technology, dance, music, and visual arts.
Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (MSA) is a magnet elementary school located in Ocala, Florida. All students receive enrichment opportunities in dance, theater, technology, music, and visual arts before, during, and after school. MSA nurtures lifelong learners who display an appreciation for the arts through their civic involvement; students often share their talents throughout the community.
With students spending increased time in arts study during the school day, core teachers must be strategic with their differentiated instruction. They routinely collaborate for data analysis, standards-based planning, and professional development in order to maximize the instructional time. A variety of strategies are used to engage students in being responsible for their own learning. The teachers work diligently to integrate content and infuse the arts into their instruction through meaningful projects and high quality literature. The academic application of the Florida Standards and artistic talent through project-based assignments are evidenced throughout Madison Street Academy.
Kendra Hamby, the former principal, says that it is essential for students and staff to "DIG Learning" since Deliberate Instruction is key to having all students make learning Gains. MSA is truly a group of student and teacher learners who work together to achieve more as a collective body. The integration of the arts curriculum, superior academic instruction, and parental support help create a high achieving student body. Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts has earned its "A" status, as identified by the State of Florida, for the past 15 years.