Are you interesting in one of the six unique, tuition-free arts programs at Westinghouse Arts Academy? Fill out the form to start your application process today.
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Explore a High School Alternative With Us
As an accredited Pennsylvania high school, we offer traditional academic classes like English, math, science and even gym necessary to earn a high school diploma. In that respect, we are like other schools.
What makes us different is our arts focus areas. Our students have a deep interest in one of six areas.
Programs
In support of that interest, students’ electives are concentrated in their chosen focus area. They are able to delve more deeply into an interest, because we concentrate our resources into offering more for a creative student. Where most of our nearby traditional public schools are cutting arts programming, we’re adding it.
Here’s a comparison detailing what’s available to a student focused on writing/literary arts and theatre, compared to a traditional local high school.
Compare our Offerings
Traditional public HS for literary and theatre:
No literary/drama electives are offered to freshmen.
WAACS – Theatre
Theatre Orientation Stage Movement:
Clowning, Comedy, Commedia, Play Reading I, Acting Fundamentals,
Acting:
Process and Craft, Play Reading II, Stage Makeup Techniques
WAACS – Literary
Literary Arts Orientation
Writing Workshop: The Basics
Reading in Genre: YA Literature
Spoken Word
Writing Workshop: Exploring Forms
Writing for Publication
Reading in Genre: Myth/Fairytale
Traditional public HS for literary and theatre:
Public Speaking
WAACS – Theatre
Acting: Action and Reaction
Modern Acting: Theory and Technique
Play Reading III
Play Reading IV
Improvisation
Voice and Speech: Vocal Production and Technique
Audition Techniques
*Stage Movement: Physicalizing the Character
WAACS – Literary
Writing Workshop: Fiction
Writing Workshop: Poetics
Writing Workshop: Playwriting
Writing Workshop: Non-Fiction/Journalism
Play Reading 1
Play Reading 2
Reading in Genre: Non-Fiction
Reading in Genre: Short Story
Traditional public HS for literary and theatre:
Drama 101
Journalism
WAACS – Theatre
Acting ShakespeareActing: Classical to Modern
Voice and Speech: Using the Voice
Voice and Speech: Intro to Dialects
Theatre Industry Essentials
Directing Fundamentals
Script Analysis
*Stage Movement: Combat Fundamentals
WAACS – Literary
Fiction Intensive
Poetry Intensive
Playwriting/Screenwriting Intensive
Non-Fiction Intensive
Literary Arts Industry Essentials
Journalism Intensive
Rhetorical Grammar
Editing and Publishing
Reading in Genre: Baroque and the Bard
Reading in Genre: Politics in Literature
Writing for Young Readers
Traditional public HS for literary and theatre:
Contemporary Literature
Classic Literature
Literary Studies
Composition
Advanced Composition
WAACS – Theatre
Fourth year electives coming in fall 2020!
WAACS – Literary
Fourth year electives coming in fall 2020!
The Benefits of an Art-focused Education
Our kids find the expanded access to arts electives and opportunities makes for a more engaging overall high school experience. Research shows that arts a substantial increase in arts educational experiences has remarkable impacts on students’ academic, social, and emotional outcomes. Researchers detail reductions in disciplinary infractions, improvement in standardized writing scores, and even an increase in compassion.
What our kids say
At Westinghouse Arts Academy, we live the truth in these numbers every day. Our students thrive in an arts-immersive, creative environment. We recently polled our latest Freshmen class, and they let us know that this model is working.
100% of students responding said they’ve grown “a lot” as artists.
70% feel they’re challenged “a lot,” and 100% reported being challenged “a little” or “a lot.”
89% intend to, or have recommended us to a friend.
Evaluate
Evaluations at Westinghouse Arts Academy
Our admission process is based on an evaluation. For performing arts, that’s an audition. For creative arts, it’s a portfolio review. We are looking for a baseline level of proficiency in the arts focus area, and we also heavily consider potential and motivation to study arts with us.
Enroll
Congrats and Welcome!
So, you’ve successfully completed your evaluation, congratulations! Here’s what happens next.
Your offer of admissions will come via email. Please reply to that email with your acceptance. We need this step in writing.
We’ll reply with a checklist of documents for you to collect and send to the school. Our enrollment team will help with this step, so many of these documents will be transferred directly from your prior school district. Our enrollment team will also coordinate transportation, if applicable.
Tuition and Transportation
Westinghouse Arts Academy: No Cost to You
Westinghouse Arts Academy is tuition-free, there is no cost to attend. Additionally, transportation is provided, depending on where you live.
Explore a Different Option for Traditional High School
As an accredited Pennsylvania high school, we offer traditional academic classes like English, math, science and even gym necessary to earn a high school diploma. In that respect, we are like other schools.
What makes us different is our arts focus areas. Our students have a deep interest in one of six areas.
Ready for a Closer Look?
Choosing a high school is a huge decision. Here are some ways to come see us in person, meet our community, and learn more.
Evaluations at Westinghouse Arts Academy
Our admission process is based on an evaluation. For performing arts, that’s an audition. For creative arts, it’s a portfolio review. We are looking for a baseline level of proficiency in the arts focus area, and we also heavily consider potential and motivation to study arts with us.
Our arts teachers perform the evaluations, and score numerically against a rubric detailing proficiency and potential. All students who achieve a minimum qualifying score are considered for admission. In the event that a program fills up, admission is offered based on the highest numerical scores until the program is filled. Students who don’t achieve a minimum qualifying score can opt for a re-evaluation.
Congrats and Welcome!
So, you’ve successfully completed your evaluation, congratulations! Here’s what happens next.
Your offer of admissions will come via email. Please reply to that email with your acceptance. We need this step in writing.
We’ll reply with a checklist of documents for you to collect and send to the school. Our enrollment team will help with this step, so many of these documents will be transferred directly from your prior school district. Our enrollment team will also coordinate transportation, if applicable.
