Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts

A few months ago Rick had mentioned to me and Janika that she might want to look into attending" Tuacahn School for the Performing Arts" next year.  She protested the idea and said she loved her current High School and all of her friends and activities there.  Recently, however, Rick suggested that she just attend Tuacahn one day and shadow a student just to check it out.  So she and her friend, Kiara, both went one day last week and they BOTH loved it and want to transfer there next year.  Going back to her regular high school the next day confirmed that she really did want to make the switch. 

She and Kiara are really excited.  Now we are just praying that they get chosen (it is a lottery and they only have a dozen or so new openings for Juniors).  Tuacahn is a charter school that offers all of the regular required courses that prepare a student for college such as English, Math, Science, AP classes and so forth and also has six different specialized academies:  Musical Theatre, Actor Training, Theatre Tech, Music, Visual Arts, and Dance. Janika is choosing "Musical Theatre."  It will be really different.  The student population is only about 350 compared to her school now which probably has over a thousand.  They also require school uniforms.  Janika isn't thrilled about that and said that they are really unattractive but she didn't seem overly concerned over it either.  It does seem to help unify the students.  Everyone we have talked to who goes to Tuacahn says that the students are really unified instead of the many cliques that most high schools have.

There are some disadvantages such as distance and gas money (at least she will be driving by then and can also carpool with friends), no school lunch (she doesn't see that as a disadvantage but I do), school uniforms, a little more expensive overall...  and many advantages --  less students, smaller class sizes, a unified student body, excellent teachers (we have heard anyway), specialized field trips, and a strong music and drama program (which is a huge advantage especially since her current high school does not have a strong drama program).  She can pursue her interests in music, drama, and dance as well as continuing in her Honors and AP classes.  Since the school is affiliated with the Amphitheater they get to rub shoulders with many professionals both on and off stage.  She is excited!!  For more information go to:  Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts