Information for Applicants

The Performing Arts Academy is located at the Lakehurst Navy Center, housed inside historic Hanger I at the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station. The Academy opened in September 2001 for students entering the 9th grade. The Performing Arts Academy is a public high school administered by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District. The Performing Arts Academy was designed to provide performing arts curricula focused in dance, vocal music, and acting, along with a four-year college preparatory academic program. The school exists to provide a unique, nurturing, and challenging learning environment for students gifted in the performing arts.


STUDENT SELECTION AND ADMISSION
Students are selected through a competitive application process. An evaluation of the applicant's current academic transcript, in addition to participating in an admissions exam and audition are also required. Students typically enter the Performing Arts Academy at the 9th grade level; however, openings for students presently enrolled in high school may be available and will be determined annually. Applicants must reside in Ocean County to be eligible for admission. All school districts in Ocean County are eligible to participate in sending applications to the program.


ADMISSION
To be eligible for admission the student should be enrolled in and successfully complete an eighth grade program that includes: English, math, science, social studies and physical education. It is recommended that students should also be involved in performing arts activities. Students applying as high school transfers will have their current transcript evaluated.


NINTH GRADE COURSES OF STUDIES
The courses that the students will take in the ninth grade are:

Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, or Geometry English I Physical Education/Health Performing Arts: dance, acting, vocal music (full year)

Spanish I or II World Civilization Integrated Science

View Grade 9-12 Full Course of Studies

TRANSPORTATION
The student's resident district will be responsible for transporting the student to the Performing Arts Academy, located on the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The school day runs from 7:45 AM until 2:05 PM. Classes are offered in a block scheduling format which allows for maximum participation in the learning process. Students take four years of academic college preparatory coursework as well as being trained by professionals in the art of performance. The course of study provided meets and exceeds the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards. Performing Arts students are offered the skills necessary to develop and manage a career in the arts industry. Students are provided with the opportunity to perform and record in a professional recording studio. Trips are taken to see professional performances; guest artists are invited in to perform and train our students.


PERFORMING ARTS COURSEWORK
Acting training provided (but not limited to): acting technique, musical theatre, dialect coaching,
improvisation, scene study, and voice production. Dance training provided (but not limited to): ballet, modern, and jazz technique, choreography, fitness and nutrition. Vocal Music training provided (but not limited to): vocal technique and physiology, vocal styles, and music theory. Performance skills are integrated into the academic program. Internship coursework is required senior year.


CROSS-CURRICULAR OFFERINGS
Science
An anatomy and physiology course offering complements the performance curriculum.

English
Students are provided ample opportunity to work on oral presentation skills to complement the
performance curriculum. Senior level electives are also offered.

Technology is part of an integrated curriculum.
College coursework through Ocean County College is available for juniors and seniors