How to Attend a Performing Arts High School

Magnet schools and programs were first created to promote public school integration during the 1960s. Many of these schools/programs, such as Performing Arts High Schools, have flourished and provide special curriculum and opportunities for today's gifted and talented students. Some private or preparatory schools also provide similar programs but for a cost, whereas public school magnet programs are usually free or low-cost. Discover how to attend Performing Arts High School.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Find out if your school district has a performing arts high school or provides a performing arts program at a school in your vicinity. Contact school district administration and check the district's website to investigate.
2. Obtain magnet school information for your area, including performing arts high schools or special arts programs. Discover specific requirements and application procedures—for instance, "The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts" in Houston, Texas provides application process information as well as an application on its website.
3. Look for private performing arts high schools, such as "Interlochen Arts Academy," as an alternative if you are unable to locate public school magnet programs in your region where you can attend performing arts high school. Contact private schools easiest via their websites and obtain an application and information.
4. Know that you may have to contact another school district to find a public performing arts high school or program near you, and out-of-district schools may charge a fee for students who don't live within district boundaries. Realize you may have to commute to attend performing arts high school.
5. Understand there is substantial cost involved with private performing arts high schools; however, some private schools offer scholarship and financial aid opportunities and information.
6. Fill out a performing arts high school application and gather required documents (e.g., transcripts, birth certificate, immunization records and resumes) for submission with your application. Read whether the schools you've chosen accept copies of necessary documents or require originals to accompany your application.
7. Prepare for auditions. Plan for more than one audition—some schools choose candidates based on at least two rounds of auditions to attend performing arts high school. Accept that even after successful auditions, students are sometimes denied enrollment.
8. Wait for your official letter of acceptance to attend performing arts high school. Know that the application process takes about one year, deadlines are well in advance of fall semester and late applications are often automatically denied.