Info sessions for prospective students for Perpich Arts High School

Perpich Arts High School hosts information sessions for prospective students

Perpich Arts High School will host three information sessions this autumn and winter for students from around the state who are interested in attending the two-year program for 11th- and 12th-grades.

The information sessions will be Saturday, Oct. 13, 1–3 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6:30–8:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan. 12, 1–3 p.m. Registration is not necessary. Perpich is located at 6125 Olson Memorial Parkway, in Golden Valley, just west of the State Route 55 and State Highway 100 interchange.

Perpich Arts High School invites all interested sophomores and juniors to find out more about the school’s art-focused curriculum. Seven arts areas are available: dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, visual arts and artscience, a program beginning its second year. Artscience combines arts with STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) curriculum. The program, developed at Harvard University, engages students and teachers in in-depth learning in the arts, sciences and idea development to cultivate creativity and the ability to realize innovative project ideas. Perpich is the only school in the United States offering artscience as a school-based program.

Because the school encourages and accepts applications from students throughout the state, it provides a residential component for those students whose homes are too far away for commuting. The residence hall usually has about 150 student residents. The school can enroll up to 310 juniors and seniors.

Feb. 1 is the deadline for applications for the 2013–14 school year. Student applications that meet this deadline will be reviewed. Students meeting admittance and arts criteria will then be invited to interviews with auditions or portfolio reviews at the school in March. Perpich offers a full academic program, including AP courses. Interested families can look at the curriculum and course offerings on the Perpich website. The website includes additional information and application forms to download at www.pcae.k12.mn.us.

Those who are interested in attending but will not be able to visit during the information sessions are invited to contact the school for alternative arrangements at admissions@pcae.k12.mn.us.

Perpich is a state agency that serves all school districts in Minnesota. Created in 1985 by the state legislature, the agency seeks to advance K-12 education throughout Minnesota by teaching in and through the arts. Perpich staff and faculty experts provide outreach, professional development, research, curriculum and standards development, a statewide arts education library, and the high school, a living laboratory of creativity.