Arts Achieve! School Profiles

Students served: The Center for the Arts at Cypress Lake High School is a part of a comprehensive high school. The ESE population of the overall school is 318 students. Of this population, the Center for the Arts program has 430 students and 120 of these students are designated ESE. In the area of free and reduced lunch, the overall high school has 25% students receiving this service and the Center for the Arts has 17%. Because of the combination of the comprehensive high school and the specialized Center, Cypress is able to offer services to a wide range of students. From gifted, advanced placement and dual enrollment classes, to intensive reading, ESE pullout and inclusion classes, students are able to access the arts and receive individualized attention to their needs. Students participate in the program with accommodations to meet their IEP (Individual Educational Plan), whether they are physical, mental, or emotional challenges. Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts provides creative outlets for students to express themselves as well as alternative avenues through which students may understand others’ feelings and ideas. Students have access to all programs, and special funding is provided for those who cannot afford additional programs such as field trips and supplies. Attention to diversity in each discipline is considered to be one of the foremost strengths in the arts program at the Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts. Cypress is known by reputation as one of the most welcoming and congenial high schools in our area.

For more school information, please visit: www.cypresslakehigh.com.

The Arts at Cypress Lake High School
Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts provides the best possible arts education for students who would like to pursue a more concentrated study in the disciplines of Dance, Media, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. The Center stresses the development of the students’ individual and/or ensemble skills and talents to their fullest potential while fostering a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Expanded arts opportunities are now offered for all students at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts. All disciplines have a major track, minor track, and some electives classes to accommodate many levels and interests in the arts.

MAJOR TRACK
Students must audition to be awarded major track status. Those students who are accepted will follow the specific major track of classes for their department. Students who complete the program will graduate with a total of 9.5 or more credits in the Arts. Students who are privileged to study in the major track must be committed to developing their talents and gaining the most experiences from the program. Majors at the Center for the Arts have access to performance opportunities, master classes, fieldtrips, conferences, and other enrichment opportunities that maintain a rigorous standard of learning in the arts.

MINOR TRACK
Students must also audition to be a part of the minor track. The minor track provides students with the opportunity to increase skill levels in order to audition again for the major track and/or the chance to study the arts at a more focused level. The minor track program includes 6-8 credits that must be completed in a specific order and time frame over the four-year period.

Our Arts Teaching Team includes:

Dance: 2 teachers
Digital Media & Broadcast Communication: 2 teachers
Music: Band – 1 teacher Orchestra – 1 teacher Vocal – 1 teacher
Theatre: 1 teacher
Visual Arts: 3 teachers

For more information, our teachers will be happy to answer your calls or emails. Contact us!

Dance:
Patty Gair - PattyAG@leeschools.net
Nancy Petro – NancySP@leeschools.net

Digital Media:
Gordon Gair – GordonGA@leeschools.net
Micki Woodford – MickiCW@leeschools.net

Music:
Band: Joshua Blair – JoshuaDB@leeschools.net

Orchestra:
Michael Simpson – MichaelASi@leeschools.net

Vocal:
Gary Stroh – GaryRS@leeschools.net

Theatre:
Jason Loete – JasonDLoe@leeschools.net

Visual Arts:
Ava Roeder – AvaRo@leeschools.net
Tim Smith – TimJS@leeschools.net

Our Schedule:
We offer a seven period day, 7:15 – 1:45pm. We offer block scheduling for higher level arts classes when possible.

Our Pride:
Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts is proud of its commitment to provide a comprehensive educational opportunity. Since the fall of 1994, students have dazzled audiences with their creativity, talent and passion for the arts. They are committed to excellence because of high expectations, a dedicated staff with clear goals, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. The faculty strives to create, model and sustain a student centered learning environment that supports and helps maintain Cypress as one of the finest high school arts institutions in Florida. (Joan Stickles/Media Specialist)

A Visit to Our School:
The campus of the Center for the Arts includes five buildings, each housing a division of the arts program. These buildings are centered on a courtyard, providing a small conservatory atmosphere. It is the only dedicated arts campus in the School District of Lee County.

Teachers at the Center for the Arts are highly qualified in their field, with numerous additional degrees, meeting the needs of the Cypress High student population. All works created under the direction of Center for the Arts teachers are professional, unique and considered some of the finest in Florida, extremely competitive with other arts schools throughout the nation.

Students graduating with a certificate for the Center for the Arts at Cypress Lake High School take with them an unparalleled appreciation for life and the arts, filled with critical thinking skills as well as problem-solving techniques.
This truly is the BEST PLACE TO BE!

Our Special Arts Programs:
An exciting opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of the arts, Cypress High offers intensive programs of study in dance, digital media and broadcast communication, as well as vocal, orchestra, band, theatre arts, and visual arts. Cypress is the ideal setting for the serious young artist to work with the most dedicated arts instructors. The arts program encourages student individuality by meeting the various needs and aspirations of each student. At all levels, students have the opportunity to pursue their goals under the finest instruction in a highly challenging but supportive environment. Admission to the Center is through the audition process held in spring of the upcoming fall school year. It is a great way for students to evaluate their commitment and aptitude for their chosen art form.