Reply to Is there a MoCo equivalent to Duke Ellington School for the Arts?

Forum Index » Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Reply to "Is there a MoCo equivalent to Duke Ellington School for the Arts?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't think it's to the level you're describing/hoping for but from what I gathered, Northwood HS was the Arts option for the Downcounty Consortium (DCC):

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/school-info/downcounty/northwood/

The Academy of Music, Theater and Dance (AMTAD)

This academy is geared toward students interested in pursuing college and professional careers in the areas of theater, dance, vocal music, and instrumental music. In either solo or group performances, students will produce, act, and perform in a variety of onstage productions. Coursework within the academy is designed to develop the student through the dance and performing arts pathways with focus on technical production, vocal and instrumental music, dance, and dramatics. Students in all academy strands will be integrally involved in all aspects of production, giving students a solid foundation for advanced preparation within the field. The Dance Pathway gives students a strong background in multiple dance styles such as Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. This pathway also provides opportunities for master classes, field trips and choreographic development. The Performing Arts Pathway gives students a strong background in multiple disciplines. Students in this pathway have the opportunity to take a variety of classes in the performing arts field, such as band, chorus, dance and theatre. Students also have the opportunity to focus solely on one discipline. [/quote]

Einstein’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VAPA) is arguably the closest thing to Duke Ellington that MCPS has. It is one of the largest and most prominent programs at the school, and the audition process will become increasingly competitive for next year. Applicants are now required to complete both an in-person audition and a video submission.

Currently, Northwood hosts the regional Theater and Dance programs, though it wouldn't be surprising to see those put in Einstein before 2027.[/quote]

VAPA is terrific, but it's not an audition-based program. Any Einstein student can check a box on a form and join VAPA, just like the other academies.[/quote]

And they don’t actually offer all of the courses listed in the various VAPA pathways. We’ve been waiting years for AP Music Theory! [/quote]

Richard Montgomery has this AP class. Could an Einstein student join virtually??[/quote]

No, there is no way to do it virtually.  Einstein has very limited ap classes.  You’d have to go to MC.  The principal refuses to make the arts a priority and staff it so these classes can be at the school.  [/quote]

Your student absolutely should be able to take AP Music Theory through the MCPS online AP program:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/onlinelearning/courses/ap/

The principal shouldn't be blocking it.  Contact Brian Beaubien if experiencing pushback from the principal: 240-740-4042 Brian_H_Beaubien@mcpsmd.org[/quote]

With the regional model, Einstein is going to decline greatly. It's too bad as it's one of the kinder schools. Few are going to leave their home school as the academics are lacking, as are the arts classes except for the VAC, and with the reduction in students, it means fewer staff, so fewer courses will be offered.  If we cannot get our youngest into another school, we will leave MCPS, as we aren't happy with Einstein's academics.  Parents have demanded things like AP Music Theory, AP science classes, and more engineering and computer science for several years, and have always been told no or not enough staffing.  They have some smart, good teachers who could easily teach AP classes.  They are losing a bunch of good teachers this year to other schools.  It will be interesting to see what happens as many of the kids leave for Wheaton or Blair.

The theater teacher is fantastic, so it will continue to be a huge draw.  She is very inclusive, and I was impressed when she picked a large play to have lots of students being able to participate.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics