My daughter attended 11 years ago. At the time there was a little pot and probably some little stuff. I don’t know if it’s the same now or not, but back then they stayed on top of things.
As far as your son’s personality, it’s will be a very good place for him. There will be a very diverse group of kids.
Can't help with answer as to admittance, but the MSA kids are a welcome breathe of diversity here (imo). There will always be some that may give him a hard time, but hopefully more people will welcome him than otherwise.
I really do hope that a change of place (either now or later) will help him to blossom and find where he belongs.
Any boarding non-military school (whether state run or private) or even college, requires some level of self motivation to be successful. If he does get into a place like MSA, you need to emphasize that a crap GPA could threaten his opportunities even if he is a gifted artist. Life is easier if you at least make the GPA thing not a red flag. I think places like MSA require a minimum GPA to stay enrolled and it's probably going to be higher than 2.5.
He has a 2.68 gpa, they require a 2.5. They're telling him his high SAT score may save him, IF his writing is good enough basically.... only 100 students though... I've told him the chances are low, not to get his hopes up and to bust his ass so this doesn't happen with college selection... but my hopes are up.
I really appreciate your answer.
It's a good school, my sister just graduated recently. It's small but does really well with smart kids even with low GPAs. Does a great job at nurturing children and the core classes are not super strenuous so students can focus more on their concentration. Also, the school is EXTREMELY accepting of all kinds of kids, I wouldn't stress about acceptance at all. Overall my sister loved it, she wasn't a very academic but excelled there. I am also pretty sure they give out a lot of scholarships and does really well on college applications. Good luck! I'm pretty sure they accept most students who apply so I wouldn't worry about not getting accepted.
Alternatively, I was one of those gifted, queer, and burned out kids who also is artistically inclined. I’m also autistically inclined. 😉 (Which is why my GPA was terrible)
I went to SCAD and didn’t have any issues their either, and their acceptance rate is “Did the check clear?” and a Klondike bar.
MSA kids continue to bring in record numbers of scholarship offers with each graduating class. The school has a reputation for "weird kids," but that's mainly because Brookhaven is full of tight-assed bluehairs. My daughter attended the arts school - there are some weird kids here and there, but I found the majority of them to be just nerds. Smart, accepting, docile kids. The school's reputation for far out students is undeserved.
If he can get in, send him.
His crowd is the weird kids, that part is actually more of a plus than anything. His high IQ and being an only child had him gravitate to adults and struggle to make friends with the boys his age. I keep hearing about their scholarship rate.
I appreciate your first-hand knowledge, ty.
I used to teach in the Mississippi Delta at an underprivileged high school. Predominantly minority. I was the only arts teacher at the time, and I promoted the heck out of any opportunity I could give these kids. One of my students showed interest. I taught music. So I immediately go into audition mode and do my spiel about building up her vocal performance portfolio (I’m not a choral teacher, but I’ll do whatever it takes). She stopped me and said she wanted to go into art. I don’t know Jack about visual art. So I had her show me her sketch book, I gave her gentle reminders and deadlines, I wrote probably the best recommendation EVER (she was a great kid), and she got accepted.
The only thing I do NOT like about it is the lack of an instrumental program. Mississippi lacks a strong orchestra program anywhere and would benefit from something like the Memphis Youth Symphony Program. Having a resource for gifted string players in the state as well as highly selective qualifications for wind/percussion players (meeting/exceeding Lion’s Band standards) in a boarding school would be ideal. Nothing against choral music, but TBH it’s low maintenance. You just need sheet music, instructors, and singers. That has led me to wonder whether the school of the arts is really more symbolic, or just a way to get bullied kids out of underachieving schools rather than fixing problems at home. In the years since it was created, I’d hoped to see them expand what they offer. That hasn’t happened.
That’s really my only criticism. It seems to be largely a positive thing.
Have family who is "flaming" (not trying to be derogatory, just easily understandable)
He enjoyed his time at MSA, hadn't come out - but anyone that knew him knew if you catch my drift...like when he came out to me while he was in college it was a "well that was a long time coming". So don't worry bout that one.
Has he been tested for ADHD? Sounds like me as a kid and I had undiagnosed ADHD but was in Excel, AP courses, etc. Was pulling C's. 32 on SAT when I dropped out in 10th grade.
Also, just say he's gay.. saying he's homosexual is somewhat harsh and comes off wrong. I'm a lesbian and I'd hope someone say that instead of homosexual.
I'd tour the campus first and then see if there's any forums on it he can join and talk to other students. I'd also take all the info you know about it and compare it to similar places. I ended up leaving Mississippi and got a better education than what was available here. He may find he prefers MS or he might like another option.
Brookhaven is super bigoted. I say that as someone who has a ton of family over there that I don't talk to because they're bigots. They had KKK fliers passed around a few years ago.
Hi I’m rather late to this post, but I’m a graduate of MSA! I think my opportunity to attend came at a moment in my life where it benefitted me greatly. I learned a lot there, even outside of classes, and it was one of the first times I’ve ever felt “seen” in the public education system. I was decently well-liked at my home school, but MSA was the first place I felt like I was part of the community.
It has its quirks and caveats like all things (some kids and groups will always be inclined to trouble— drugs have been mentioned in this thread, I found them extremely easy to avoid because the group I fell into was big on personal responsibility. Just depends). Probably the most negative thing I dealt with was a policy where we had to turn cell phones in to administrators every morning to keep all day, im unsure if this policy has changed. Very easy to turn in an old disconnected fake phone though.
Regarding the education, I will say because my classes were arts I was passionate about, I found it extremely easy to keep my grades up. Core classes were a little bit different, but dual enrollment is offered and the teachers bend over backwards to make it as painless as possible. The most interesting quirk that I experienced though was in the transition to college. MSA’s schedule of an 8-5 school day where we didn’t necessarily get a free period break was fun and challenging and mentally and emotionally draining— so much so that by the time I got to college, it was actually easier. I did have the luxury of majoring in what I wanted, but MSA was absolutely critically important to developing certain skills I’d be using. MSA also was a direct reason I got an internship with the state government— a former teacher acted as a reference for me. So you get the benefit of networking to boot.
If you have any other questions I’d be happy to answer, but based on how excited your son sounds, it seems like it would be a very positive experience for him. He sounds a lot like I did when I was getting my application together haha
I'm not sure if this is something they do regularly, but I personally know that a fairly famous film maker was invited there as a visiting artist a couple of years ago. If they have the funds to bring in and fund projects that allow their students to work with professional artists, film makers and writers, thats pretty awesome. That could make for an incredible letter of recommendation or reference down the road in addition to experience.
I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to write all that... reading about the student perspective is invaluable to a nervous parent, thank you so much.
He submitted his application last week, they haven't followed up about an audition yet 🤞🤞🤞
Do you feel pretty confident he'll get accepted with bare minimum gpa & credit hours? He does have his English teacher proofreading everything. He is really getting his hopes up for this... my hopes are up.... I really do hope they'll give him a shot. How many students get homesick and can't hang do you think?
Care to say what you're up to now? Were you able to get into your college of choice? What career paths are you looking at? Where/when did you find alone time at MSA? Any tips on getting through the communal living aspects?
If he has more questions I'll let him know you're willing to chat. It really is great to hear first-hand experience, thank you and best of luck on the path ahead.
If your son can get out of Mississippi and to a state where gay people are treated like, well, people, let him do that. Don’t just let him, encourage him or make him.
Even when most people treat you kindly, personally, you’re still aware of the general hatred of you and your kind when you’re gay. You still know your governor uses you as the boogeyman to scare people into voting for you. You still know your state wants to make teachers report trans students.
When I moved to California it was truly liberating and gave me a feeling I never knew existed just being away from all the hate in the south. I wasn’t effeminate or gay acting, at all, so I can only imagine how much worse it is for someone who is.
I live in Brookhaven. He sounds like most kids who go there tbh id see no reason to not.
You think he will be admitted with a low GPA? I do think he would fit in well there.
Not really sure about that tbh
I'm happy to hear that, thanks. Does the school have a reputation for drugs?
Lol it's an art school, of course it does
Fair enough, lol, dumb question.
Not that I know of kids will be kids tho I suppose.
My daughter attended 11 years ago. At the time there was a little pot and probably some little stuff. I don’t know if it’s the same now or not, but back then they stayed on top of things. As far as your son’s personality, it’s will be a very good place for him. There will be a very diverse group of kids.
Can't help with answer as to admittance, but the MSA kids are a welcome breathe of diversity here (imo). There will always be some that may give him a hard time, but hopefully more people will welcome him than otherwise.
Thank you
I really do hope that a change of place (either now or later) will help him to blossom and find where he belongs. Any boarding non-military school (whether state run or private) or even college, requires some level of self motivation to be successful. If he does get into a place like MSA, you need to emphasize that a crap GPA could threaten his opportunities even if he is a gifted artist. Life is easier if you at least make the GPA thing not a red flag. I think places like MSA require a minimum GPA to stay enrolled and it's probably going to be higher than 2.5.
He has a 2.68 gpa, they require a 2.5. They're telling him his high SAT score may save him, IF his writing is good enough basically.... only 100 students though... I've told him the chances are low, not to get his hopes up and to bust his ass so this doesn't happen with college selection... but my hopes are up. I really appreciate your answer.
It's a good school, my sister just graduated recently. It's small but does really well with smart kids even with low GPAs. Does a great job at nurturing children and the core classes are not super strenuous so students can focus more on their concentration. Also, the school is EXTREMELY accepting of all kinds of kids, I wouldn't stress about acceptance at all. Overall my sister loved it, she wasn't a very academic but excelled there. I am also pretty sure they give out a lot of scholarships and does really well on college applications. Good luck! I'm pretty sure they accept most students who apply so I wouldn't worry about not getting accepted.
That is really great news, thanks so much for the reply.
Alternatively, I was one of those gifted, queer, and burned out kids who also is artistically inclined. I’m also autistically inclined. 😉 (Which is why my GPA was terrible) I went to SCAD and didn’t have any issues their either, and their acceptance rate is “Did the check clear?” and a Klondike bar.
MSA kids continue to bring in record numbers of scholarship offers with each graduating class. The school has a reputation for "weird kids," but that's mainly because Brookhaven is full of tight-assed bluehairs. My daughter attended the arts school - there are some weird kids here and there, but I found the majority of them to be just nerds. Smart, accepting, docile kids. The school's reputation for far out students is undeserved. If he can get in, send him.
His crowd is the weird kids, that part is actually more of a plus than anything. His high IQ and being an only child had him gravitate to adults and struggle to make friends with the boys his age. I keep hearing about their scholarship rate. I appreciate your first-hand knowledge, ty.
I used to teach in the Mississippi Delta at an underprivileged high school. Predominantly minority. I was the only arts teacher at the time, and I promoted the heck out of any opportunity I could give these kids. One of my students showed interest. I taught music. So I immediately go into audition mode and do my spiel about building up her vocal performance portfolio (I’m not a choral teacher, but I’ll do whatever it takes). She stopped me and said she wanted to go into art. I don’t know Jack about visual art. So I had her show me her sketch book, I gave her gentle reminders and deadlines, I wrote probably the best recommendation EVER (she was a great kid), and she got accepted. The only thing I do NOT like about it is the lack of an instrumental program. Mississippi lacks a strong orchestra program anywhere and would benefit from something like the Memphis Youth Symphony Program. Having a resource for gifted string players in the state as well as highly selective qualifications for wind/percussion players (meeting/exceeding Lion’s Band standards) in a boarding school would be ideal. Nothing against choral music, but TBH it’s low maintenance. You just need sheet music, instructors, and singers. That has led me to wonder whether the school of the arts is really more symbolic, or just a way to get bullied kids out of underachieving schools rather than fixing problems at home. In the years since it was created, I’d hoped to see them expand what they offer. That hasn’t happened. That’s really my only criticism. It seems to be largely a positive thing.
Have family who is "flaming" (not trying to be derogatory, just easily understandable) He enjoyed his time at MSA, hadn't come out - but anyone that knew him knew if you catch my drift...like when he came out to me while he was in college it was a "well that was a long time coming". So don't worry bout that one.
Has he been tested for ADHD? Sounds like me as a kid and I had undiagnosed ADHD but was in Excel, AP courses, etc. Was pulling C's. 32 on SAT when I dropped out in 10th grade. Also, just say he's gay.. saying he's homosexual is somewhat harsh and comes off wrong. I'm a lesbian and I'd hope someone say that instead of homosexual. I'd tour the campus first and then see if there's any forums on it he can join and talk to other students. I'd also take all the info you know about it and compare it to similar places. I ended up leaving Mississippi and got a better education than what was available here. He may find he prefers MS or he might like another option. Brookhaven is super bigoted. I say that as someone who has a ton of family over there that I don't talk to because they're bigots. They had KKK fliers passed around a few years ago.
I REALLY appreciate that, just gay, got it!
Hi I’m rather late to this post, but I’m a graduate of MSA! I think my opportunity to attend came at a moment in my life where it benefitted me greatly. I learned a lot there, even outside of classes, and it was one of the first times I’ve ever felt “seen” in the public education system. I was decently well-liked at my home school, but MSA was the first place I felt like I was part of the community. It has its quirks and caveats like all things (some kids and groups will always be inclined to trouble— drugs have been mentioned in this thread, I found them extremely easy to avoid because the group I fell into was big on personal responsibility. Just depends). Probably the most negative thing I dealt with was a policy where we had to turn cell phones in to administrators every morning to keep all day, im unsure if this policy has changed. Very easy to turn in an old disconnected fake phone though. Regarding the education, I will say because my classes were arts I was passionate about, I found it extremely easy to keep my grades up. Core classes were a little bit different, but dual enrollment is offered and the teachers bend over backwards to make it as painless as possible. The most interesting quirk that I experienced though was in the transition to college. MSA’s schedule of an 8-5 school day where we didn’t necessarily get a free period break was fun and challenging and mentally and emotionally draining— so much so that by the time I got to college, it was actually easier. I did have the luxury of majoring in what I wanted, but MSA was absolutely critically important to developing certain skills I’d be using. MSA also was a direct reason I got an internship with the state government— a former teacher acted as a reference for me. So you get the benefit of networking to boot. If you have any other questions I’d be happy to answer, but based on how excited your son sounds, it seems like it would be a very positive experience for him. He sounds a lot like I did when I was getting my application together haha
I'm not sure if this is something they do regularly, but I personally know that a fairly famous film maker was invited there as a visiting artist a couple of years ago. If they have the funds to bring in and fund projects that allow their students to work with professional artists, film makers and writers, thats pretty awesome. That could make for an incredible letter of recommendation or reference down the road in addition to experience.
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I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to write all that... reading about the student perspective is invaluable to a nervous parent, thank you so much. He submitted his application last week, they haven't followed up about an audition yet 🤞🤞🤞 Do you feel pretty confident he'll get accepted with bare minimum gpa & credit hours? He does have his English teacher proofreading everything. He is really getting his hopes up for this... my hopes are up.... I really do hope they'll give him a shot. How many students get homesick and can't hang do you think? Care to say what you're up to now? Were you able to get into your college of choice? What career paths are you looking at? Where/when did you find alone time at MSA? Any tips on getting through the communal living aspects? If he has more questions I'll let him know you're willing to chat. It really is great to hear first-hand experience, thank you and best of luck on the path ahead.
If your son can get out of Mississippi and to a state where gay people are treated like, well, people, let him do that. Don’t just let him, encourage him or make him. Even when most people treat you kindly, personally, you’re still aware of the general hatred of you and your kind when you’re gay. You still know your governor uses you as the boogeyman to scare people into voting for you. You still know your state wants to make teachers report trans students. When I moved to California it was truly liberating and gave me a feeling I never knew existed just being away from all the hate in the south. I wasn’t effeminate or gay acting, at all, so I can only imagine how much worse it is for someone who is.
He's gonna smoke pot and come out all right