The Academy of Performing Arts (APA)

The Academy of Performing Arts provides the opportunity for students to pursue training in Dance —classical ballet, and contemporary dance, Music —vocal. The academy places special emphasis on preparing the young artist for high schools that offer programs specializing in performing arts.

• In Dance, students pursue studies in classical ballet, contemporary dance, dance terminology, dance anatomy, and dance history.

• In Vocal Music students pursue studies in choral music, vocal technique- acoustical method of vowel modification and music theory.

APA works in partnership with several arts groups, organizations and foundations such as Mark Morris Dance Company and Creative Outlet. Students are featured in our annual Winter Star Fest and Spring Star Fest Concerts, which showcase each of the art disciplines.

The Academy of Communication Arts, Technology and Sciences (ACATS)

We focus on engaging students in curriculum highlighting technology and its interdisciplinary applications. Students are prepared to have a competitive advantage to attend selective high schools and colleges and universities. Classrooms are equipped with televisions, LCD projectors and SmartBoards, which are incorporated in daily lessons. There are three MAC computer labs—where students have access to excellent instructional software programs.

ACATS students are exposed to the following specialized core instructional areas:

• Communications, including podcasting and website development

• Film production

• Digital photography and information design

ACATS Activities

• Technology Summit: Students showcase their technology projects

  •  Kid Witness News Video Program: Students direct and edit their own film.

School of Fine Arts and Design (FAD)

Our art curriculum involves Portfolio Development, Art History and Graphic Arts. The art curriculum includes developing technique and art concepts for the fine arts students. The techniques of instruction are: General Drawing (foundation, Basic), Architectural Rendering (interior and exterior), Tonal and Color Equation, Abstract Design, Art History, Desktop Publishing, Packaging, and Wed Design.

These techniques of instruction encourage and prepare our students to be artistically flexible, adaptable, to meet the demands of the specialized art high school entrance audition exam. In addition, the students in SFAD are provided with the state of the art equipment which includes a Macintosh computer lab, in a studio art environment. We use technology to present and archive original student artwork.

Students present their work in our Annual Art Show.

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Dual Language Program

Students will have the benefit of learning a 2nd language while enriching their native language. All students will learn appropriate grade level content while developing their bilingual proficiency. The overall goal of our DLP program is for all students to be bilingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural. By the end of 8th grade, students will be able to:

• Use 2 languages comfortably and effectively in social situations appropriate for their age level.

• Communicate effectively through reading and writing in 2 languages at a level appropriate for their

      age.

• Perform at or above grade level standard.

• Priority will be given to students that have successfully completed a dual language program in

      elementary school.

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* Please note that our Dual Language is open CITYWIDE for all students regardless of District and residence.

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