Orange County School Of The Arts Launches California School Of The Arts With The Opening Of Its First Satellite Campus In San Gabriel Valley

CSArts-SGV will be hosting a public preview day on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. for students and parents interested in learning more about the academic and arts programs. The public preview day will be held at Northview Intermediate campus, located at 1401 Highland Ave. Duarte, Calif. To learn more about CSArts-SGV's early admission opportunities and register for this preview day, visit sgv.csarts.net/learnmore. For more information about the school and its application process, visit sgv.csarts.net. 

On June 30, 2016, the Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) School Board unanimously approved a charter to open CSArts-SGV in August 2017. This will be the first comprehensive charter arts school to open in the San Gabriel Valley and the campus will be located at 1401 Highland Ave. Duarte, Calif.  CSArts-SGV will serve students from all areas of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.  For the 2017-2018 school year, CSArts-SGV will serve students in grades seven through 11. In 2018-2019, CSArts-SGV will expand to serve students in grades seven through 12.

The school's unique culture and innovative curriculum will enable its students to grow and thrive as artist-scholars and to develop their confidence and talents. Small student / teacher ratios in academic and arts classes allow for personalized attention to students. Students receive opportunities to participate in master classes, guest artist presentations, field trips, and performances, as well as a variety of campus clubs and activities. This distinctive arts and academic program is made possible through a unique public / private partnership. CSArts-SGV is a tuition-free, donation dependent program.

"We are excited to be able to offer quality academic and arts instruction, a unique school culture, and an unparalleled value to more student artist-scholars in Southern California through the California School of the Arts organization," said Ralph Opacic, Ed.D., founder and executive director of Orange County School of the Arts. "This program is not just about educating talented students to become future artists; it is about providing an innovative school environment that graduates highly engaged, creative young leaders who are well-equipped for meaningful, successful lives at the college of their choice and in any career they choose. Our alumni have gone on to become award-winning Broadway stars, musicians and artists, as well as entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, lawyers and doctors."

"OCSA has created the blueprint for an innovative school and has proven that arts and creative educational experiences transform schools and communities," said Dr. Allan Mucerino, superintendent of DUSD.  "The evidence is powerful: children of all social and economic levels who experience high levels of arts engagement have more positive outcomes in virtually every achievement indicator, compared to students who are not as lucky. Creative thinking and innovation are at the core of advancement in today's globalized world.  This unique public school / charter school partnership is an example of how historically polarized forces can work together to challenge the status quo and create unique and thriving learning environments."

Students will receive approximately five hours of academic instruction per day, consisting of three 90-minute classes and a 30-minute tutorial block. College preparatory, honors and advanced placement courses will be offered and each class will have a small student / teacher ratio of 30-to-1. All academic faculty members will be fully credentialed and the majority will hold advanced degrees. 

Students will have the opportunity to study in one of 10 arts conservatories offered including acting, classical & contemporary dance, classical voice, commercial dance, creative writing, instrumental music, integrated arts, musical theatre, production & design, and visual arts. The arts conservatory programs will also have a small student / teacher ratio of approximately 20-to-1.  All students who have demonstrated talents and interest in the arts are invited to apply.  Applications will be made available online in October 2016.

"I am so proud of the leadership and forward thinking of superintendent, Allan Mucerino, for bringing such an esteemed program to our school district," said Ken Bell, president of DUSD Board of Education.  "The Duarte Unified Board of Education has unanimously approved this as part of our strategic plan to serve our student population and other talented students throughout the Southern California area." 

About California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley: California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) offers a creative, challenging and nurturing environment that supplies bright and talented students unparalleled preparation for higher education and a profession in the arts. Scheduled to open in August 2017, the school will serve students in grades seven through 11 for the 2017 – 2018 school year. In 2018 – 2019, CSArts-SGV will expand to serve students in grades seven through 12.

CSArts-SGV will enable its students to study in one of the 10 arts conservatories offered including acting, classical & contemporary dance, classical voice, commercial dance, creative writing, instrumental music, integrated arts, musical theatre, production & design, and visual arts.

The public charter school was established in 2016 by the California School of the Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization being established to operate a network of high achieving, comprehensive public arts charter schools, modeled after the nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA).  CSArts-SGV is a tuition-free, donation dependent program.  For more information, visit sgv.csarts.net.

Media Contact:   
Sabrina Valles  
[email protected]  
714.560.0900 ext. 6294

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SOURCE Orange County School of the Arts

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http://www.ocsarts.net