"Arts brings education to life through a vibrant sense of understanding of the world around us."
An education that feels like family
Ovations bridges the gap between homeschooling and traditional education with a unique blend of arts integration and community focus. Our flexible, university-model approach meets the needs of every learner — inspiring a strong sense of community through engaging events and connections that feel like family.
Arts Integrated
Creativity woven through every subject, bringing learning to life.
Collegiate Excellence
College credit and a university-model path, straight from high school.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Real-world skills, creative problem-solving, and the courage to build.
World Exploration
Worldschooling and experiences far beyond the classroom walls.
Service Leadership
Giving back and leading with heart in the community that supports us.
AI-Powered Guidance
A personal AI advisor guiding every student's path, step by step.
Rising, like our phoenix
Welcome to our 501(c)(3) non-profit, community-focused educational organization that uses a unique arts-integrated, university-model approach to learning. Founded on the belief that the arts bring education to life, Ovations develops creative thinkers, compassionate leaders, and confident young scholars — each one rising to their full potential.
Executive Director & Founder
With years of experience across preschool, homeschooling, and adult education, Cara built Ovations to reach the individual — not the collective — and to give every child an education worthy of their potential.
Ovations Gives Back
We teach students the importance of giving back to the community that supports us. Our current fundraiser — the Rising Minds Scholarship Fund — supports young scholars in STEAM.
In good company
Ovations powers programs and partnerships that share our belief in leadership, service and the courage to build something of your own.
Three businesses, three very different seasons of growth, one candid conversation with Stacey Iltis of FLY Dance Fitness, Les McCurdy of McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Bill Johnson of Brilliant Harvest. Every ticket helps fund the next generation of young leaders.
Sarasota Speaker Series
Candid evenings with Sarasota's business and community leaders on what it takes to build, scale and reinvent an organization. Ovations is the Series' nonprofit fiscal partner, and its proceeds fund scholarships for emerging leaders.
R.I.S.E. Young Leaders
An immersive experience for emerging leaders ages 15 to 20, exploring leadership, entrepreneurship, personal development, financial well-being and community. Funded by the Speaker Series and powered by Ovations.
Kenneth City Kiwanis
Kiwanis is devoted to serving children and strengthening communities. Together we put Service Leadership into practice, so students see firsthand what it means to give back close to home.
Something for every learner
We cater to all educational journeys, empowering learners from all walks of life.
Homeschool Support
Personalized guidance, curriculum, and administrative support — learn at your own pace while meeting state requirements.
Umbrella School
Flexible private-school umbrella options with the structure families need.
Dual Enrollment
College credit in high school through Sophia and partner colleges.
Worldschooling
Real-world, experience-based learning beyond the classroom.
Afterschool & Camps
Arts-rich clubs, camps, and enrichment throughout the year.
Community Events
Gatherings that connect families and foster a culture that feels like family.
Find your child's path
Tell us about your learner and we'll show you what their Ovations journey could look like.
Joining the Ovations family
Our university-model approach starts with your child — their strengths, goals, and the pace that's right for them.
Reach out
Tell us about your family and what you're looking for. We answer every question.
Meet & tour
Explore fit, philosophy, and how the individualized model works.
Build the plan
We design a personalized pathway — arts, academics, and college credit — around your student.
Begin
We handle account setup and course sequencing so your child can start right away.
The Rising Minds Scholarship Fund
Supporting young scholars in STEAM through community-funded scholarships, early recognition, creativity, and leadership development. When young brilliance is recognized, community support turns potential into opportunity and possibility.
$1,880 raised of $3,000
Help us support the monthly needs of the organization. We are so grateful for your support!
DonateWe fundraise with Zeffy so 100% of your donation goes to our mission. You'll receive a tax receipt.
Let's talk about your child
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Where our community gathers
Candid conversations, service projects and celebrations that bring our students, families and partners together. Every event supports the next generation of leaders.
Three very different journeys
Stacey Iltis
FLY Dance Fitness
Turned one Sarasota studio into a nationwide franchise, finding creative ways forward through COVID without losing the heart of the brand.
Les McCurdy
McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre
Nearly four decades building one of the country’s premier comedy venues and becoming part of Sarasota along the way.
Bill Johnson
Brilliant Harvest
Saw the future of solar in Florida fifteen years before the market did, and built a company helping shape it.
Choose your seat
General Admission
$39
Networking, the speaker panel, nibbles and conversation.
VIP Admission
$100
Preferred seating plus the VIP afterparty to meet and toast the panelists.
Sponsor a Student
$25
Send a young leader to the evening. Name a student at checkout or donate the seat.
Put your name in the room
Sponsorships directly fund R.I.S.E. Emerging Leaders workshops and field trips.
Past Speaker Series evenings
2025
Legacy on a Plate
Paul Mattison of Mattison’s Group, Michael Klauber of Michael’s on East and Natalia Levey of Hi Hospitality on the changing world of restaurants and surviving adversity.
2024
Disruption, Innovation & Opportunity
James Griffith of James Griffith Salons, Coral Pease of Cutting Loose and Terry McKee of Nuovo on their rise from stylist to owner, employing more than 300 people locally.
Ovations FAQ
Everything students and families need — what Ovations is, how to enroll in your courses, and exactly what to do when you need a password or a helping hand.
About Ovations
What is Ovations School for the Arts?
What makes Ovations different?
- Arts integration — creativity runs through every subject, bringing learning to life.
- Collegiate excellence — students earn transferable college credit in high school through Sophia and partner colleges like St. Petersburg College.
- A personal, AI-guided pathway — your courses are sequenced for you, so you always know your next step.
What is Ovations building?
Who is Ovations for?
Enrolling in your courses
How do I enroll in my courses?
- We build your personalized pathway and set up your Sophia and FLVS accounts using your Ovations email address.
- Log in to the Muse portal to see your path and the courses to work on right now.
- Tap a course circle in the portal to jump straight to it on Sophia or FLVS. On Sophia you'll sign in and register/pay to begin the course; on FLVS you'll sign in and start.
- For SPC dual enrollment, we walk you through the college application and registration separately.
How does dual credit work?
What order do I take my courses in?
Passwords & logging in
I forgot my Sophia password.
I forgot my FLVS password.
I forgot my SPC (St. Petersburg College) password.
I forgot my Ovations Muse portal password.
Getting help in a course
I'm struggling in a Sophia course — where do I get help?
I'm struggling in an FLVS course — where's my teacher?
I'm struggling in an SPC course — where are the tutors?
Quick guide: where do I find tutors & teachers?
- Sophia — self-paced tutorials + Help Center (self-guided).
- FLVS — your assigned certified teacher (live, one-on-one).
- SPC — free tutoring centers, online tutoring, and professor office hours.
- Ovations — your advisor is always here to guide you: info@ovationsarts.org.