- Chicago Academy for the Arts
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Chicago Academy for the Arts Address 1010 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois, 60642
USACoordinates 41°53′47″N 87°39′12″W / 41.8965°N 87.6532°WCoordinates: 41°53′47″N 87°39′12″W / 41.8965°N 87.6532°W Information School type private, independent secondary Opened 1981 NCES School ID A9303202[1] Head of school Pamela Jordan[2] Teaching staff 23.3 (FTE)[1] Grades 9-12[1] Gender coed[1] Enrollment 138[1] (2009-10) Student to teacher ratio 5.9:1[1] Campus type urban[1] Color(s) black
white[3]Affiliations National Association of Independent Schools[1] Website official website The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a private performing and creative arts high school located the city of Chicago. It is the only such high school in the state of Illinois. It has often been called the "Fame" school and compared with New York City's High School of Performing Arts.
Founded in 1981, it is one of only five high schools in the United States that provides a dedicated arts curriculum alongside conventional academic education. The school is located in the historic school building constructed for St. John Cantius parish.
In 2006 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary and was named a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
As a private institution, it has a strict audition and portfolio admissions policy whereby only prospective students demonstrating an aptitude, potential and dedication to their art are admitted.
The atmosphere at the school has been described as encouraging, nurturing and occasionally bohemian. It was once one of the only high schools to feature a course on existentialism and have workshops taught by guest tutors like Roger Ebert. A majority of graduates continue to higher education and/or professional arts careers.
Contents
Arts aspect of school
The school has six arts departments: Dance, Media Arts (Film & Writing), Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Academic classes begin at 8:30 and continue until 1:30, after which time students proceed to their dedicated arts study until 4:30. Rehearsals, if necessary, conclude at 6:00.
Notable alumni
- Lara Flynn Boyle, actress
- Tom Gold, dancer
- Craig Hall, dancer
- Adam Rifkin, producer
- Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons
- Robin Tunney, actress
- Alex Wurman, composer
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "The Chicago Academy For The Arts". Statistical abstract. National Center for Education Statistics. 2009-10. http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&SchoolID=A9303202&ID=A9303202. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ "Head of School". Chicago Academy for the Arts. 2011. http://www.chicagoartsacademy.org/head-of-school.html. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ "Chicago (Academy for the Arts)". School information. Illinois High School Association (IHSA). 24 August2011. http://www.ihsa.org/Schools/SchoolDirectory.aspx?url=/data/school/c.htm. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
External links
Categories:- Illinois school stubs
- Private schools in Chicago, Illinois
- High schools in Chicago, Illinois
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