The Cleveland School of the Arts
The Cleveland School of the Arts (CSA), a magnet school within
the Cleveland Public Schools, offers students a full academic curriculum
while emphasizing the creative and performing arts. CSA officially opened
doors in February 1981 as part of the court order to improve education
and enhance desegregation. Its creation also addressed a need to develop
arts training in the school system.
Located across the street from Case
Western Reserve University in Cleveland's
University Circle, the school has access to the city's major cultural
institutions, enabling it to develop the linkages necessary to its success.
The Goal of CSA
The goal of CSA is to foster growth so that each individual
can develop and achieve maximum potential in a multi-cultural, non-discriminatory
setting through: interdisciplinary programming in grades 6-12; classroom
and studio experiences; unique opportunities for high visibility; interaction
with guest artists; exposure to cultural arts institutions; increased opportunities
for scholarships/internships
CSA currently serves approximately 700 students in grades
6 through 12. The school draws students from all areas of the city. The
student population reflects the racial balance of the school system; it
is currently 75% Black and 25% White, Hispanic, American Indian or Asian.
Sixty-six percent (66 %) of the students receive public assistance, a reflection
of the 71% for the schools city-wide.
Audition Criteria
Students wishing to enroll in the school must demonstrate
their artistic potential through audition to be eligible for entrance.
Those who do, are included in a pool of qualifying applicants from which
students will be randomly picked.
Academic Curriculum
The academic curriculum of CSA is comparable to that of other
Cleveland Public Schools. Most students are in a college preparatory track
In addition, classes are offered in the major arts: creative writing, music,
dance, theater and visual arts including photography. Sixth through twelfth
grade students choose an arts major according to their demonstrated talent
and interest; they receive structured training and exposure in that major
area.
Currently, 15% of CSA's high school students are majoring
in Drama: 25% major in Art or Photography; 20% major in Dance; 35%
major in Music (instrumental and vocal); 10% major in Creative Writing.
At CSA a humanistic environment exists where the whole person
is educated: the mind, feelings, moral sense -- all the while encouraging
creativity.
Revised 11/2000 jgf
Jonathan Fairman