Bak Middle School of the Arts Designated An Arts Achieve! Model School
The Florida Alliance for Arts Education (FAAE) recently renewed Bak Middle School of the Arts as an Arts Achieve! Model School. The recognition will be presented at FAAE’s annual Leadership Summit on June 17 in Lakeland, FL.
The Arts Achieve! Model Schools program recognizes exemplary schools in Florida that have done an outstanding job making the arts an essential part of their education curriculum. The purpose of the award is to identify, recognize and promote statewide K-12 fine arts programs that balance diversity, high performance standards and instructional quality in visual and performing arts education. Schools retain their Arts Achieve! designation for three years. Bak Middle School of the Arts was first recognized in 2007 and applied for renewal in 2010 which will continue through 2013.
“We are proud that Bak Middle School of the Arts has been recognized for its continued commitment to arts education and the high quality and diversity of the arts offered at the school,” said Susan Burke, executive director of FAAE.
Bak under the leadership of Principal Elizabeth Kennedy serves grades 6-8. The school undertook a comprehensive self-evaluation as part of their renewal. The resulting report was reviewed and a site visit conducted by an arts educator to confirm the strength and quality of programs in the school.
About ARTS Achieve! Model School Program
The Florida Alliance for Arts Education (FAAE) evaluates and approves schools based on criteria development by FAAE in corporation with Florida’s fine arts associations for dance, music, theater and visual art. Schools that meet this criteria are committed for a three-year period to assist FAAE, school officials, teachers and other interested persons in observing quality fine arts programs and make suggestions for program improvement. The selected schools receive public recognition at the annual FAAE Leadership Summit.
Arts Achieve! Schools offer exemplary arts programs, exemplary arts integration programs, exemplary instructional settings, outstanding community connections, or other factors that make them worth attention and visiting. These schools have agreed to open their doors to visitors who wish to enhance and/or affirm their arts education practices. Schools provide informational updates on an annual basis.
About FAAE
Since 1989, Florida Alliance for Arts Education (FAAE) has united educators, artists, community leaders, concerned citizens, arts education organizations, arts institutions and corporate partners to ensure Florida’s students a complete education that includes the arts. Through the arts, the quality of life for all Floridians is improved and enhanced. Programs and opportunities of Florida Alliance for Arts Education reach all corners of the state and touch thousands of lives each year as they bring schools and communities together to improve, enhance and promote arts education. For more information please call 407-488-8868 or go to www.faae.org.
