Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) announced plans to transform the century‑old Cherokee Junior High School on South Eola Drive into the Cherokee School of Arts and Entertainment, a new magnet high school serving grades 9‑12. The project, unveiled at a design presentation held at Boone High School, marks a major investment in arts‑focused education for downtown Orlando families.
Design concept and program focus
The 30 % design concept shows a modernized campus that will house specialized programs in film, animation, digital sound, and related technology fields. Students will follow a block schedule that allows for intensive, project‑based learning while keeping daily enrollment on site to a maximum of 250, even though the school’s total capacity will be 500 students.
Community response
Board Member Stephanie Vanos, representing District 6, praised the magnet model, saying, “Magnet schools have been so popular with our community, with our students, with our families. It has drawn students back, who have not chosen OCPS, back into OCPS, and in this climate, we need opportunities and options for students who may not be interested in the traditional school.”
Neighborhood residents voiced a mix of support and concern. Some, like former Cherokee student Stephen Bach, asked whether the new school would ease traffic congestion during morning and afternoon drop‑offs and noted worries about evening events. Others, such as Adam Zywicki, questioned how enforcement of parking rules would be handled, asking, “You’re kind of leaving it up to the neighborhood to tattle on these kids, and then what’s the consequences?”
Resident Amy Wilson sought clarification on traffic‑flow simulations, wondering if the plans accounted for school buses, lawn‑care vehicles and garbage trucks. Despite these issues, several locals expressed realistic acceptance. Dustin Bowersett remarked, “There’s going to be traffic, there’s going to be issues. You live in downtown Orlando. Those are just the problems of living in downtown,” while neighbor Brian Wilson highlighted the logistical challenges of a historic, narrow‑brick‑lined neighborhood.
Funding and timeline
The total cost of the project is projected at $92 million, with $25 million pledged through private donations. Construction is slated to begin at the end of 2026, and the school is scheduled to open its doors in August 2028. OCPS will hold additional design meetings, including a 40 % design review, as the project moves forward.
What this means for families
The new magnet school offers families an alternative to traditional comprehensive high schools, aligning with OCPS’s goal to broaden educational options and retain students within the district. By emphasizing creative and technical disciplines, the Cherokee School of Arts and Entertainment aims to prepare students for careers in the growing entertainment and technology sectors that are vital to Orlando’s economy.
Local officials and community members will continue to monitor the project’s impact on traffic, parking, and neighborhood character, ensuring that the school’s benefits are balanced with quality‑of‑life considerations for downtown residents.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
