Dreams of Yesterday
The Dreyfoos School of the Arts is a public magnet high school that serves a culturally diverse community of artistically talented Palm Beach County students.
Tradition of Education,
Arts and Diversity Impact
Private funds are generously donated from individuals, foundations and community business leaders. The past 30 years of unconditional support, collaboration, and kindness of our partners has enabled us to yield unimaginable social returns for Dreyfoos School of the Arts and the greater Palm Beach County community.
our history
1990
The Palm Beach County School of the Arts opened with 250 students in grades 7-9, specializing in five art areas—communications, visual arts, music, dance and theatre.
1997
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. made the largest private contribution ever made to a public school in Florida. He pledged $1,000,000 to support the Palm Beach County’s public arts magnet high school and its name changed to Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts.
2009
The Foundation received its second gift of $1,000,000 from the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund. The Davis’ son, Alan, made the endowment gift in memory of his parents to support the supply needs of the school’s art areas.
2023
For over 30 years, the foundation supports over 1,450 creative, dedicated students as they travel daily to the school’s campus in West Palm Beach from as far away as Tequesta, Pahokee and Boca Raton to participate in six arts disciplines: Communication arts, dance, music, theatre, digital media and visual arts.
1993
Community leaders established the School of the Arts Foundation to raise funds to enhance the arts and academic programs at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The Foundation funds the needs and opportunities that the School District cannot fund.
1998
The high school moved to its new campus in 1998. Its presence helped ignite the rebirth of downtown West Palm Beach, transforming the then blighted area into an emerging cultural destination
2011
Beverly Taubert, a retired educator, left her estate of $1,200,000 to the Foundation to establish the Beverly A. and William E. Taubert Scholarship Endowment Fund to support the college dreams of Dreyfoos students with demonstrated financial need.
dreams of today
Diversity
Advanced diversity, equity & inclusion in all of its forms
Resources
Campus renovations to department-specific equipment
Experiences
Bring world-class leaders into the classroom to share talents
Access
Grant access to education, arts & opportunities beyond graduation
Magic
Share learnings, talents & gifts with the world
World-class Art & Academic Opportunities
Dreyfoos School of the Arts is a local internationally recognized public magnet high school. Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation enhances curriculum, scholarships, material and critical student support which the School District cannot fund.
Artists in Residence across 51 classes each week
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Ranked High School out of 18,000 in the Nation
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Magnet High School out of 900 in the Nation
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Economically Disadvantaged Students Served
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U.S. Presidential Scholars (2022)
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Graduation
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World-Class Curriculum
Committed to world-class art and academic opportunities, the curriculum is centered on the combination of excellence and equity to empower each student to reach their highest potential. The community of creators is designed to help students discover their own identity and voice within a safe, accepting, and uplifting environment.
World-Class Curriculum
Committed to world-class art and academic opportunities, the curriculum is centered on the combination of excellence and equity to empower each student to reach their highest potential. The community of creators is designed to help students discover their own identity and voice within a safe, accepting, and uplifting environment.
Communication Arts
Speech & Debate / Print & Broadcast Journalism / Creative Writing / Film & TV Production
Dance
Technique / Modern / Jazz / Ballet
Digital Media
Photography / Animation / Graphic Design / Film
Music
Band / Piano / Orchestra / Vocal
Theatre
Acting / Musical Theatre / Design / Technical Production
Visual Arts
Painting / Drawing / Printmaking / Sculpture / Architecture / Photography
Communication Arts
Speech & Debate / Print & Broadcast Journalism / Creative Writing / Film & TV Production
Visual Arts
Painting / Drawing / Printmaking / Sculpture / Architecture / Photography
Events
Alumnus
The Dreamers
Liz Sinn
Music, Class of 2020, Berklee College of Music
Liz Sinn, a Dreyfoos 2020 graduate and Pathfinder winner, knew that she wanted to pursue music from a very young age. She began playing the piano 14 years ago and began playing jazz her sophomore year in 2018. Sinn said, “I ended up by chance getting into jazz, which I didn’t actually intend to do. For most of my life, I thought that I was going to do classical piano. I knew I… wanted to do music, but I felt like I was either playing the wrong instrument, or the wrong style. So, when I ended up getting into jazz band, it was really just more my thing.”
Manuel Alex Ramírez
Music, Class of 2014, Berklee College of Music
Dreyfoos alumnus Manuel Alex Ramírez is a saxophonist and composer who graduated from music – band with the class of 2014. Born in Colombia, Ramírez has since graduated from the Berklee College of Music and is now based in New York City. While he was a student at Dreyfoos, he was frequently invited to perform at Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation (SOAFI) events and met with many of the attendees, an experience that he says introduced the importance of creating and fostering musical communities in artistic spheres. He received a college scholarship from SOAFI in his senior year, as well as full tuition from Berklee’s Presidential Scholarship.
Phyllisia Ross
Music, Class of 2006
Since graduating from Dreyfoos in 2006, Phyllisia has risen to stardom due to her signature technique of blending genres and languages to create multicultural musical masterpieces. She was recently featured on the United Nations’ list of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in Media and Culture, Under 40. She performs in shows not only in South Florida, but also in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion Island, Africa, and Europe. She has recently released a beauty product and clothing line on her website. Phyllisia attributes much of her success to her formative years at Dreyfoos, as well as the early experiences she had in the music industry.
dreams of tomorrow
Dreams Beyond the Stars
Contributions to Dreams Beyond the Stars are vital to cultivate our future innovators, artists, and leaders. The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation ensures that gifts and donations are utilized to benefit the school as requested by the donor. Gifts in any amount are needed and appreciated.
donor Spotlight
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Student Spotlight
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