New World School of the Arts

The New World School of the Arts (NWSA) is a public magnet high school and college located in Downtown Miami, Florida. It offers special programs where students can study both in high school and college at the same time, focusing on arts.

Students can choose from four main areas of study: visual arts, dance, theatre (which includes theater and musical theatre), and music (with options in instrumental music and vocal music).

The school is run together by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and the University of Florida. Students can earn an Associate in Arts degree from Miami Dade College, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Florida, and a high school diploma from Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

This unique setup helps young artists develop their talents while also getting a head start on college education.

History

The New World School of the Arts began as an idea by Kendell Bently-Baker. He wanted to create a school where students could take regular high school classes in the morning and then attend art or performing arts classes in the afternoon at Miami Dade College.

In 1982, students started these special art programs at two different college campuses. By 1983, the first students finished these classes. In 1984, plans began for a new school. After studying other famous art schools like LaGuardia High School, Juilliard, and the North Carolina School of the Arts, leaders worked with the state government to create the New World School of the Arts. The school opened in 1987, and its first high school graduates earned their diplomas in 1988. The school also began offering college classes, with its first college graduates in 1992.

Administration

The New World School of the Arts has special leaders for each art group. Daniel Lewis started the dance program when the school began and led it for 24 years. After he retired, Mary Lisa Burns took over.

John de Lancie was the first leader of the music program. After he left, several people led the program until Daniel Andai, a former student of the school, became the leader in 2014.

Richard Paul Janaro helped start the theater program. Jorge Guerra Castro later became the leader, and then Patrice Bailey took over. After Bailey’s passing in 2022, Alan Patrick Kenny became the new leader.

Campus

The New World School of the Arts is located at 25 NE 2nd Street in Miami. It also uses classrooms at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. When the school first opened, classes were held in different buildings around downtown Miami, including the main building of the MDC Wolfson campus and a church where drawing classes took place.

Today, the main building (called the 5000 Building) is used for most high school classes, plus dance studios, theaters, and art studios. Science classes are held in the MDC Wolfson Science building (the 2000 Building). Music classes happen in the Music Building (the 4000 Building) across the street.

High school admissions and enrollment

Getting into New World School of the Arts is very special. Students must show their skills through a performance or a portfolio review. This makes it different from other schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), which may use a mix of rules and luck to decide who gets in. New World does not have a rule that gives priority if a student’s sibling already attends the school.

In 2011, many students wanted to join—1,268 applied for only 140 spots. This made it one of Miami’s toughest public high schools to get into, with just an 11% chance of being accepted. In the school year 2009–10, about 35% of students were male and 65% were female. The students came from many backgrounds: 42% were Hispanic, 36% were White non-Hispanic, 19% were Black, 3% were Asian, and less than 1% were of other races.

Notable alumni

The New World School of the Arts has helped many talented people become successful in their careers. Some famous graduates include Mollye Asher, who won an Academy Award for producing the film Nomadland, and Michael Aronov, a Tony Award-winning actor known for his role in Oslo. Other notable alumni are Hernan Bas, an artist, and Robert Battle, the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The school has also produced actors, singers, dancers, and filmmakers who have achieved recognition in their fields.