| Chicago Academy for the Arts | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 1010 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois, 60642 USA |
|
| 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 |
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.