Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA)

SY 25-26 Academic Academies Applications are closed.

General AVPA Applicantion information:

APPLICATION: Applicants will complete the SMCPS Academies online application with a parent/guardian. Applicants will also include a brief essay describing interest in the arts, and a teacher input form from a visual art, theatre/ELA, or music teacher is required.
INTERVIEW/WORKSHOP: This component is a major factor for academy admission. During the interview, the AVPA team will discuss with applicants their audition/portfolio of work. Interviews will take place at Chopticon High School by appointment.
AUDITION/PORTFOLIO: Once your application is complete, you will be directed to a web link that contains all necessary audition/portfolio materials. The audition/portfolio will be scored by the AVPA team.

About Us
Application Information

About Us

This academy supports our population of talented youth who excel in the Arts. Students participating in the AVPA will have a choice of one of three areas of focus: music, theatre, or visual arts. The AVPA is housed at Chopticon High School.

An education in the arts can enhance academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and teamwork. It can also improve a child’s confidence, motivation, and concentration. Participation in a strong arts program provides not only the opportunity to understand and appreciate the dedication needed to find success as a performer or artist but also develops cultural citizens who are creative thinkers and problem solvers. The development of these skills will help today’s graduates to be successful no matter their chosen field of study.

The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA), housed at Chopticon High School, is a pathway that strives to support our population of talented youth who excel in the arts. AVPA meets the needs of our highly abled arts-inspired youth who exhibit desire and motivation to pursue higher levels of achievement and learning in the arts. Students participating in the AVPA will have a choice of one of three areas of focus: music, theatre, or visual arts.

Additional Information

Key Elements of Visual and Performing Arts
What is the Course Sequence for the Academy?

Key Elements of Visual and Performing Arts

Academy Seminars: Regularly scheduled seminars will include areas of focus such as rehearsal techniques, audition preparation, master class/critique sessions, performance field trips, Capstone Project development, guest speakers/performers, and recital preparation.

Capstone Project: Students will prepare a senior recital, senior production, or senior art exhibit. Requirements for the Capstone Project will be embedded in coursework throughout a student's tenure in the academy.

Solo and Small Ensemble Performance: Individualized and small group instruction focused on solo and small ensemble performance will be emphasized, along with the expectations to the larger ensembles and companies for music students.

Portfolio Development: Intense focus will be put on personal portfolio development and art exhibits for visual arts students.

Leadership: Academy students will be expected to take on leadership roles throughout the performance seasons for music, and theatre.

What is the Course Sequence for the Academy?

Students who enroll in the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts are highly encouraged to participate in arts seminar experiences, which meet during Pride Time. Students are also encouraged to take a minimum of one Advanced Placement class outside of those offered in the Fine Arts. It is strongly recommended that students are affiliated with an Honor Society of the Fine Arts Discipline.

Areas of Focus	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Core Classes (Required)	AVPA United States History Pre-AP (required) + other Core academic courses	AVPA English 10 Pre-AP + other Core academic courses	Core academic courses	Core academic courses
Music	Primary Ensemble Vocal Ensemble or Piano	Primary Ensemble Theatre 1, Piano, Guitar, or Second Ensemble	Primary Ensemble Solo & Ensemble 2	Primary Ensemble AP Music Theory
Visual Arts	AVPA Pre-AP Visual Arts Digital Photography	Art 2 Sculpture	AP Art History Art 3 or AP Drawing	AP Studio (Optional) Visual Art Elective Visual Art Elective
Theatre	Theatre 1 or 2 Chorus	Theatre 2 or 3 Performance Troupe or Advanced Studies in Technical Theatre	Theatre 3 or 4 Performance Troupe	Theatre 4 (if not already complete) Advanced Studies in Technical Theatre

Areas of Focus

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

Core Classes (Required)

AVPA United States History Pre-AP (required)

+ other Core academic courses

AVPA English 10 Pre-AP

+ other Core academic courses

Core academic courses

Music

Primary Ensemble

Vocal Ensemble or Piano

Primary Ensemble

Theatre 1, Piano, Guitar, or Second Ensemble

Primary Ensemble

Solo & Ensemble 2

Primary Ensemble

AP Music Theory

Visual Arts

AVPA Pre-AP Visual Arts

Digital Photography

Art 2

Sculpture

AP Art History

Art 3 or AP Drawing

AP Studio (Optional)

Visual Art Elective

Theatre

Theatre 1 or 2

Chorus

Theatre 2 or 3

Performance Troupe or Advanced Studies in Technical Theatre

Theatre 3 or 4

Performance Troupe

Theatre 4 (if not already complete)

Advanced Studies in Technical Theatre

For additional details, see the 2024-2025 Program of Studies for all AVPA requirements

Application Information

Academy Applications for the 2024 - 2025 school year are now closed!

Remember:

Applicants will complete the online application with a parent/guardian. Applicants will also include a brief essay describing interest in the arts, and a completed teacher input form from a current visual art, theatre/ELA, or music teacher is required.

The audition and interview are major factors for academy admission. Auditions will take place at Chopticon High School on a date to be announced. Once your application is complete, you will be directed to a web link that contains all necessary audition information and materials. Applicants will be briefly interviewed at the time of the audition. The audition is then scored by the AVPA team.

Application Process

Access the online application form in the Application Information tab.

Each Application will be reviewed by an admissions team comprised of educators and administrators who will, in turn, make acceptance recommendations to the program supervisor. Candidates will be evaluated based on their past academic performance, dedication to learning, and their desire to be successful in the AVPA program.

Admission Criteria

Teacher Input Form
Interview
Audition (Music & Theatre)
Portfolio Presentation (Visual Arts)

A mask with a paint splatter and musical notes beside it

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Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA)

SY 25-26 Academic Academies Applications are closed.

General AVPA Applicantion information:

About Us

Additional Information

Key Elements of Visual and Performing Arts

What is the Course Sequence for the Academy?

Application Information

Application Process

Admission Criteria

Contact Information

Academies & Pathways

Instructional Programs