By Michelle De Leon
Staff Writer

Some students likely dreaded going back to school, but for Osceola County School of the Arts students, they’re proud to say their school is cool.

Scholastic Parent & Child magazine has named The Osceola County School for the Arts in its list of the “2012 Coolest Schools In America” in its August/September issue.  

Only 25 schools total were recognized across the nation for their innovative programs that bring educators, community leaders, students, and families together to take learning out of the classroom and make school more relevant and challenging. The Osceola County School for the Arts was selected for the attention given to both rigorous academic and artistic studies.  

Florida Virtual School for online learning was the only other school in Florida to be named.

While students are enrolled in regular academic classes, they also take two classes a day in their arts major, which can be band, creative writing, dance, drama, orchestra, technical theater, visual arts, or vocal performance.

According to an Osceola County School District press release, judges for the “Coolest School” were impressed that students at The Osceola County School for the Arts “routinely arrive early to jam in the courtyard or stay late to practice their ensembles. And it’s not uncommon to see high-schoolers mentoring younger kids. Many of the older kids came in as 6th graders. They understand the value of mentorship in achieving excellent performance — both on and off the stage.” Osceola County School For The Arts has been recognized as a grade-A school eight years in a row, plus numerous prestigious awards it accumulated with great honor, such as Best High School, Gold Medal Status, Best American School Status and more. But this time, the staff was surprised when it was called “The Cool School.”

This month, the school is celebrating its 10th year.

“It seems like yesterday when this was just a vision.” said Shelley Justice, sixth-grade teacher.

Principal Mytron Lisby said that the school was never after any recognition. Administrators and teachers just do what they think is best for the students’ interests and want them to achieve the highest level of excellence whether through arts or academics.

“That vision 10 years ago is what made our school consistent and solid, the vision of having a place where students can enjoy and learn at the same time,”Lisby said.

The school’s mission is to provide a community that nourishes and nurtures personal integrity and creative expression in the students’ pursuit of artistic and academic excellence.

OCSA admits students by auditions and less than 40 percent of 578 kids who applied in 2012 were accepted.

“We are looking for the potential and the spark there, the kids don’t have to be a straight A’s student, but the potential has to be there, we want kids that wants to be here and is passionate,” said Sheila Steirer, literacy coach.

Lisa Testa, the choral director, said that when students audition, school officials measure their potential through their performance and decide whether or not they are OCSA material.

Aside from teaching arts, academics also is key. Assistant Principal Maria Carroll monitors the students’ performance. As much as they want the students to enjoy and embrace their talents, school officials stress to the students how important their academics are. The students learn to manage their time and learn the importance of discipline, respect and excellence.

“The Osceola County School for the Arts is very deserving of their most recent recognition as one of the Coolest Schools in America, it is a place where students can reach their highest potential academically, artistically and creatively” said Debbie Fahmie, fine and performing arts resource teacher.