Anonymous wrote:Hey, recent Einstein/VAC alumni here. Einstein was the BEST 4 years of life I honestly didn't wanna leave. Yes, your son teacher did misinform him. Einstein is the best option when it comes to the arts. Now MCPS doesn't have the resources to give our students a magnet performing arts high school, but Einstein is the best option in fact there in talks about expanding the VAPA program.
The Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VAPA) isn't audition base but the advanced classes for serious students are.
Our sports aren't the best but Einstein does have the best Pom-Pon program in the DCC (recent division champions), so your son will have great halftime performances during football games and pep rallies. Also, our football team is getting better went to their division playoffs this year.
Now if your son likes doing art, then I suggest VAPA if he's a serious artist then, yeah get his butt in the VAC. Being in the VAC was so amazing it was inspiring being around other serious artists, like me. The raw talent those teachers bring out in their students is amazing half the program can go head to head with art majors in universities.
Being in the VAC is a big commitment your son will have double to triple art periods. He will have to get good grades while making VAC quality artwork.
The program was very hard for me to get into in 8th grade I went there in February, I got rejected, had to come back, then I came back in May with my best piece and made it in the program. They look for potential and raw talent. Also, keep in mind that Einstein is an IB school, so he has that option.
At the VAC I won 7 Scholastic art awards, was a regional art winner, had my work displayed at a professional gallery where I also met Rebecca Sugar (Creator of the hit Cartoon Network show Steven Universe) who's a VAC alumnus with her brother Steven!
So where am I now? I'm a student at MICA, one of the top art schools in the nation, on almost a full ride, and I just illustrated my first book this year. My peers are in schools like RISD, SCAD, Cornell, CalArts, SVA, Pratt, NYU Tisch School of the arts, Havard, Pointe University, and the list goes on. I just talk to one of my VAC peers who's going to Parsons, and she's a fashion intern living in NYC. One of my friends took theatre at Einstein, and he now on a Netflix show, another friend of mind was a dancer at Einstein, and she's working on opening her own dance studio around the community. The things Einstein students go on and do are amazing.
I honestly miss it so much, the diversity, flashmobs, school spirit, playing music during the transitioning of classes, all of it. However, I was more than ready to continue my education in the visual arts. We aren't a STEM school, so the county doesn't really support the VAC like it does Blair's magnet programs. The first magnet programs created in MCPS and we only have 2 teachers, who care for over 100 students, no transportation for our commuting student, and cramped in the basement. However, you have nothing to worry about, if your son transfers to Einstein, he will love it! I know I did.
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