Experience at The Arts High School

Experience at The Arts High School
Newark, New Jersey
Performing Arts School

Last week our CURR-210 class at Montclair State University visited The Arts High School, which is located in Newark, New Jersey. Our teacher, Professor Goldstein met with her class in the school’s library. During our visit several people spoke to us, the principal, vice principal, head of the English and math department. The principal spoke about Newark and how they were in the University Heights section of Newark. The University Heights section is named because of the four neighboring schools, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, and Essex County College. We also met with two students who graduated from The Arts High School. One past student is now an actor in the show “The Wire”, and the other person is a motivational speaker and author of a four part series book.

The Arts High School is a magnet school which offers special curricula courses from the grades 9th to 12th. This school is designed to attract students who have a high level of talent in visual, performing and music arts. Students have to apply to this school, although it is a public school. Eight grade students living in Newark are eligible to apply. The school’s has a population of over 600 students. The school’s goal is to provide all students with their academic skills and artistic talents to develop into creative artists. “The Scope”, which I found very interesting and informative

The Art School has block scheduling, which is divided into four blocks. Each block has a schedule to follow. Also, since this is a performing arts school the student’s main classes are Art, Music, Dance, Drama, and Television Communications, which meet everyday. Each students performing art of choice is different. The core curriculum classes, English, Math, Science, and History are held very other day.

During our tour of the school a student showed us all around the building. I noticed art displays all throughout the hallways as we toured the building. The student explained that the art work was produced by the students. The work was very impressive and I could see that the students were very talented. I noticed that the students were very friendly and they had a good relationship with their teachers. Their school newspaper is called, “The Scope”, which I found very interesting and informative I found my visit to the Arts High School very informative and was very impressed with what the school had to offer. The school is designed for students who have a love for the arts and want to further their education. I feel the school has a lot to offer students who have an interest in performing arts.