At Your Service
The curtain soon will rise on a new creative and performing arts school in Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs.
The East Allegheny School Board approved a plan Feb. 20 to create the Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School — for students in grades 9 to 12 — at the former Westinghouse Elementary School in Wilmerding. It will open for the 2017-18 school year.
Westinghouse Arts Academy will offer classes in studio arts, digital arts, literary arts, dance, music and theatre, in addition to core academic classes. Because it will be a public charter school, there will be no cost to students to attend.
"From the very beginning, any time I would mention what we were undertaking with this school, folks would be elated to hear that kids in the region would have this kind of choice and opportunity," says Westinghouse charter board President Raquel Bouvy. "At the end of the day, it's always been about the kids. To be in a position where we can provide an unparalleled experience and opportunity for all of the young artists in the area is an unbelievable feat."
For students and families interested in finding out more about Westinghouse Arts Academy, the best way is an informational meeting. Four meetings are scheduled now and more will be added throughout the Pittsburgh region. Currently on the schedule are: 6:30 p.m. April 4 at the Wilmerding YMCA, 1 Memorial Field, Wilmerding; 10 a.m. April 8 virtual meeting (details will be e-mailed); 6:30 p.m. April 11 at the Sampson Family YMCA, 3200 Golden Mile Highway, Plum; and 6:30 p.m. April 18 at Allegheny YMCA, 600 North Ave., on Pittsburgh's North Side.
Some of the topics that will be covered include a day in the life of a Westinghouse Arts Academy student, personalizing the student's experience based on goals and interests, the enrollment and evaluation process, Westinghouse Arts Academy's blended approach to education, and the school's arts and academic curriculum.
To enroll in Westinghouse Arts Academy, students must complete an application and then be evaluated by a team of educators and artists in the discipline in which they wish to study. After their evaluation, students will be notified if they are accepted.
Acting Principal Amy Heathcott encourages students with a deep interest in the arts to apply.
"Students will benefit from our personalized learning approach. They can focus on one area or on multiple disciplines," Heathcott says. "At Westinghouse Arts Academy, we're blending technology and face-to-face instruction so students have ownership of their learning process. They are empowered to excel both academically and as artists."
To continue in their arts classes, students must meet their academic goals. The blended education approach is designed to maximize time for arts studies while providing individualized learning and the tools for academic success.
Sal Aloe, acting executive director, credits the East Allegheny School Board for helping to bring the arts school to fruition.
"The East Allegheny School Board has been extremely cooperative in getting this new charter school up and running. Through the efforts of East Allegheny's visionary superintendent, Don McFann, and the school board, both schools will be working together for the benefit of the students in the region."
Discussions are under way for the arts school to contract with East Allegheny to provide food and maintenance services, and bring new jobs to the Wilmerding area.
"We hope to see existing businesses thrive, new establishments open and the vibrant energy of aspiring artists envelop the community," Bouvy says.
Westinghouse Arts Academy would be only the third of its kind in southwestern Pennsylvania, along with Pittsburgh CAPA in Downtown and Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, Beaver County.
To fill out an enrollment application or learn more about the informational meetings, visit Westinghouse Arts Academy's website at www.westinghousearts.org.
About charter schools
More than 3 million students are now enrolled in charters, the most in the country's history, according to a report from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. In the past school year, enrollment in charter schools has grown by more than 200,000 students.
There are more than 6,900 charters in the country, including 300 new schools that opened in fall 2016, the Washington Examiner reports. In the past decade, nationwide enrollment has nearly tripled, up from 1.2 million students in the 2006-2007 school year.
If charter schools continue to grow at current rates, they will educate more than 20 percent of all U.S. public school students within the next 20 years, U.S. News & World Report writes.
A majority of states have at least 50 charter schools, while 17 have more than 100 charters, according to the Examiner. Charter schools operate in 43 states.
