Academy for Performing Arts

Infobox_School
name = Academy for Performing Arts


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established =
grades = 9 - 12
district = Union County Vocational Technical Schools
type = Magnet public high school
principal = Scott Rubin
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colors = Black, White
publication =
location = 1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
information = 908-889-8288 ext. 407
website = [http://www.ucvts.tec.nj.us/ucvts/Academy%20for%20Performing%20Arts]

The Union County Academy for Performing Arts will be a full time four-year public high school located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus. It will have its first year the 2008-2009 school year. It is currently a part of the info-sessions being held at the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus

The school will be a part of the Union County Vocational Technical Schools (UCVTS), which serves students in all of Union County. The students have a choice in majoring in theatre or dance with a comprehensive program designed to prepare the actors, dancers, stage managers, and technicians of tomorrow.

Students have the same academic curriculum as its sister schools, Union County Magnet High School, Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences, and Academy for Information Technology. The only difference is on their focus, which is Performing Arts.

The students will be on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus for the first three years of high school, while their senior year will be spent at Kean University taking a full freshman course load which includes a concentration in their Performing Arts major.

Admissions

Applicants to the high school will proceed through the admission process as follows:

* Attendance at an information session
* Submission of an application to the Principal's office
* Admissions examination
* Notification of acceptance

The following criteria will be considered for admission:

*Grade Point Average (7th and 8th grade)
*Standardized Test Scores (7th grade)
*Admission Assessments

Academically qualified candidates will then come back to audition for their career path which can be either Dance or Theatre Arts. They will be judged by a panel with a background in that career.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the Academy for Information Technology, a student is required to have taken:
*Four years of Performing Arts
**Freshmen: Dance II or Theatre I
**Sophomore: Dance II or Theatre II
**Junior: Dance III or Theatre III
**Senior: Intro to Theatre and Acting I or Intro to Choreography Course and Technique Course at Kean University
*Four years of English
**Freshmen: English I - World Literature
**Sophomore: English II - Early American Literature
**Junior: English III - Modern American Literature
**Senior: College Composition ENG and Research in Technology at Kean University
*Four years of Mathematics. Mathematics courses depend on an individual's skill level, which is determined based on an initial assessment in the 8th grade year. Students are placed into one of the following classes each year:
** Algebra 1
** Combined Algebra (Algebra 1 & 2)
** Geometry/Trigonometry
** Math Analysis (Pre-Calculus)
** Algebra 2/Trigonometry
** AP Calculus AB
** AP Calculus BC
** Higher Level mathematics courses are offered at the Union County Magnet High School.
** Senior year will have a Math course at Kean University
*Four years of Science
**Freshmen: Biology I, Foundations of Science (1 Semester), Scientific Data Analysis (1 Semester)
**Sophomore: Chemistry I
**Junior: Physics I
**Senior: ASTR, ES, GEOL, or METR at Kean University
*Four Years of Fitness/Health
**Dance majors will fulfill Physical Education requirements through the Dance Program, allowing more instructional time in the major
*Three Years of Social Studies
**Freshmen: World History
**Sophomore: US History I
**Junior: US History II
*Three Years of a World Language.
** Spanish I - Spanish IV
** Hispanic Culture & Literature
** Linguistics
*One half year of Career Education
**This requirement is integrated into other courses and does not impact scheduling.

The Future Building

The building is current in the design phase. It is planned on being built by Fall 2009. It will include an outdoor amphitheater, sound studios, dressing rooms, and a stage.

Partnership with Kean University

In addition for getting credits during the first three years of high school, students will be sent to Kean University during their senior year. Here they will take a full freshman college year. The partnership is still being worked out.

External links

* [http://www.ucvts.tec.nj.us/ucvts/Academy%20for%20Performing%20Arts The Union County Academy for Performing Arts Web site]