The newly opened Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School offers unique training in the arts to students of Allegheny , Westmoreland and Fayette counties .
It ’ s no secret that southwestern Pennsylvania is filled with rich and vibrant student opportunities . Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School can now add its name to the list of venues in which students can acquire a top-notch education in the arts .
Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School opened its doors in September 2017 . “ The idea for the school began with a group of community development experts who noticed the old Westinghouse Elementary School — previously Westinghouse Memorial High School — was for sale ,” says the new school ’ s principal , Amy Heathcott . “ After some investigation , they learned just how valuable the building was to the community and began to think about what use might be right to bring it back to life . They felt that a school for the arts might be the right fit .”
The process of finding the right team to develop the charter took a few years , but the charter application was presented to the East Allegheny School Board in November 2016 . They voted to approve the charter last February , and plans began in earnest to open the school in the fall . The building is owned by RPA Holdings , LLC . Construction for the renovation of the first floor began in June , and was completed in time for the first day of school . The initial renovations provided the school with brand-new kitchen facilities and dance studio space with Marley Sprung Floors , as well as common areas and a secure main entrance .
Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School serves students in grades 9 through 12 who have an interest and passion for the arts . As a public charter school , any Pennsylvania resident may apply and there are no tuition fees . Prior to being offered enrollment , students participate in an evaluation process , which
includes an interview and presentation of a portfolio or performance .
Students are evaluated in one of the six areas : Dance , Digital Arts , Literary Arts , Music , Studio Arts and Theatre . While students are evaluated in a particular area , they are not restricted to taking classes in that one area . Students can explore any arts of interest to them .
“ What makes our school unique is our focus on the arts , personalized learning and a student-centered approach ,” says Heathcott . “ Students can create an educational program customized to their goals and interests . For example , students can take traditional arts classes including sculpture , modern dance and acting , as well as courses including game design , music production and world cultures , arts and crafts .”
Academic classes are taught by certified teachers and arts classes are taught by teaching artists with professional experience . The school employs 26 teachers and teaching artists as well as a school counselor , school psychologist and IT director , in addition to administrative and support staff . A full-time nurse is also available .
The school currently has 107 students from 22 school districts in Allegheny , Westmoreland and Fayette counties .
“ Our first spring musical , ‘ Crazy for You ,’ was held at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater on March 23 and 24 and was very wellreceived ,” says Heathcott . The show was directed by Scott Calhoon , and tells the story of young New York banker Bobby Child , who is sent to Deadrock , Nevada , to foreclose on a rundown theater . There , Child falls for spunky Polly Baker — the theater owner ’ s daughter — who takes an instant dislike to the city slicker . Comedy ensues when Child vows to win her heart and save the theater .
Mt . Pleasant teenager Aliya Pimental , 15 , attends Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School as a theatre major and portrayed Polly in “ Crazy for You .” Traveling more than 40 minutes one way to attend school , she knows there ’ s no other school for her . “ Westinghouse Arts has been a fun , crazy , challenging and loveable experience so far ,” she says . “ Our first school musical really brought all of the students together . Everyone in the cast was equally important , regardless of role or experience . The cast had a wide variety of experience levels , and I think that ’ s what made it so special ! We pulled each other through , hand-in-hand .”
Shortly after the school opened in the fall of 2017 , a homecoming Open House was held for alumni and the community . Alumni from as far back as the class of 1939 attended .
The school held a year-end celebration event on Saturday , May 19 , for family , friends and the community , to showcase the students ’ accomplishments from this school year . It featured an Open House , multiple performances and exhibit opportunities , and local food .
For more information or to begin the enrollment process , visit westinghousearts . org . n
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