Jewett School of the Arts

- 2250 8th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881

For families across Polk County, Florida, the Jewett School of the Arts (JSA) in Winter Haven offers a unique and comprehensive public education experience. Established as a Magnet School, JSA serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade, providing a vital pathway for young Floridians to engage with a rigorous academic curriculum infused with extensive Fine Arts and cutting-edge STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programming.

The moment one arrives at the school, the atmosphere is described as welcoming and expressive of the arts and STEAM focus. The school's vision is centered on cultivating a well-rounded education, fostering cultural awareness, and developing an appreciation for diversity and the arts. JSA’s core strength lies in its dedicated, talented teaching staff who consistently challenge students academically and artistically. These teachers are the backbone of the school, delivering high-quality instruction across both academic and arts disciplines.

As a key institution within the Polk County Public Schools system, Jewett School of the Arts aims to prepare students not just academically, but also with a crucial sense of creativity and cultural understanding. However, as noted in the feedback from local parents, the school's day-to-day operations and administrative execution—particularly concerning large events, organization, and communication—have historically been a source of frustration, with calls for improved planning and parental engagement strategies. Despite these reported administrative challenges, the consistent praise for the "great teachers" and the unique, diverse program offerings confirm JSA's value as an important educational option for Florida families.

Location and Accessibility

Jewett School of the Arts is conveniently located in the city of Winter Haven, Florida, providing access for families across the central Polk County area. The school's address is 2250 8th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA.

The school is committed to ensuring a safe and accessible environment for all students and visitors, a feature essential for any modern Florida public institution:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Ensuring smooth and unimpeded access into the facility for students, staff, and parents with mobility needs.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Providing designated and properly equipped parking spaces for easy access to the campus.

Beyond physical accessibility, the school has adapted to modern educational needs, offering flexible learning options, which are highly valued by Florida families with varying schedules and needs.

Services Offered

As a specialized Magnet School, Jewett School of the Arts offers a dual-focus curriculum that integrates academic rigor with a rich selection of Fine Arts and STEAM programs for students in grades Pre-K through 8. The comprehensive educational approach is designed to cultivate intellectual and creative growth.

Core services and program areas include:

• Full Academic Curriculum (Pre-K to 8th Grade): Providing core instruction in subjects required by the Florida Department of Education, challenging students to achieve high proficiency in reading and mathematics.
• Fine Arts Programs: In-depth instruction and exposure to various artistic disciplines:
  • Theatre (including a TV production program known as JAMTV)
  • Visual Arts (Art 2D & 3D, Digital Art)
  • Dance
  • Music (Chorus, Orchestra, Band, Guitar, Drumline, Rock band)
• STEAM/STEM Integration: A robust focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, which is a key component of the Magnet School identity. This includes a unique Fabrication Lab and a Robotics Club.
• Academic and Enrichment Clubs: Offering diverse extracurricular activities, such as Builders Club and Junior National Honor Society (NJHS).
• Extramural Sports: Providing opportunities for physical fitness and teamwork through four distinct sports teams.
• Flexible Learning Options: The school offers Online classes, providing additional flexibility and access to the curriculum for the local Florida community.

Features / Highlights

Jewett School of the Arts has cultivated a distinct set of features that appeal to Florida families seeking a specialized educational environment. The combination of arts and academics is its most compelling asset.

Key features and highlights include:

• Magnet School Status (Pre-K to 8): Providing a specialized, themed education focused on the Fine Arts and STEAM, a powerful combination for developing well-rounded students.
• Highly Praised Teachers: Customer feedback consistently and strongly highlights the presence of "great teachers" who are dedicated to their students and effective in challenging them academically and artistically.
• Diverse Arts Offerings: A notably broad selection of fine arts classes (Theatre, Orchestra, Band, Dance, Visual Arts) that provides every student with significant exposure and opportunity for artistic expression.
• STEAM Focus: The intentional infusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into the curriculum, including unique features like the Fabrication Lab, prepares students for future challenges.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: The school embraces cultural awareness and acceptance of diversity, reflected in its history and student demographics.
• Award Recognition: The school has been recognized with the Golden School Award for volunteer hours and has achieved a 5 Star rating by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in the past, highlighting periods of high performance.
• Family Accessibility: Providing essential amenities such as Wheelchair accessible entrance and parking, and offering Online classes to cater to various family needs.

Contact Information

Florida residents interested in the curriculum, admissions process, or specific programs at Jewett School of the Arts should use the following contact information:

• Physical Address: 2250 8th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA
• Phone Number (Main Office): (863) 291-5373
• Mobile Phone: +1 863-291-5373
• Inquiry Tip: Given the specialized nature of a Magnet School and the need for clarity on event organization and administration, prospective parents are encouraged to contact the school directly to schedule a visit or seek specific information about enrollment procedures and event planning protocols.

What Is Worth Choosing

Jewett School of the Arts is worth choosing for Florida families in the Winter Haven area who prioritize a deep, integrated education in both the arts and sciences. The sheer quality and dedication of the teaching staff are consistently praised as the strongest asset, providing students with genuine skill development and mentorship. For a public school, the opportunity for a student to engage in a Fabrication Lab, a Rock Band, Orchestra, and Theatre all within the same curriculum is an unparalleled advantage in Polk County.

The structured focus on the Fine Arts and STEAM provides students from Pre-K through 8th grade with a unique, well-rounded foundation that fosters creativity and critical thinking. While some historical administrative and organizational issues have been reported by parents—a problem that the school is reportedly making "great strides" to address—the core educational experience delivered by the teaching staff remains exceptional. Choosing JSA means choosing a dedicated faculty, a rich arts curriculum, essential STEAM integration, and a commitment to diversity, all of which are vital components for successful student development in Central Florida.

Jewett School of the Arts

2250 8th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA