Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School
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| Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 15 Mulligan Drive South Hadley, MA United States |
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| Information | |
| Type | charter school |
| Founded | 1996 (High School) 2004 (Middle School) |
| Principal | Scott Goldman |
| Faculty | 40 (Full Time) 60 (Part Time/ Administrative) |
| Grades | 7-12 |
| Enrollment | approx. 400 |
| Website | http://www.pvpa.org |
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, or PVPA, is a public charter school in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Founded in 1996 as part of the Massachusetts Educational Reform, PVPA was originally located in Hadley, Massachusetts, but relocated to South Hadley for its tenth year in 2005. The school serves students from over 60 towns in Western Massachusetts, but gives priority to students residing in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties as well as the towns of Petersham, Brookfield, Sturbridge, and Athol.
PVPA was founded by Ljuba Marsh and Bob Brick.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts (Charter Public School) in Western Massachusetts is known for its outstanding performing and visual arts concentrations woven into its curriculum. Students are required to take all courses that Massachusetts public schools mandate (mathematics, science, english, languages, history, etc.) but also participate in a wide variety of performing arts and visual art courses. Students take dance courses, sculpture and other visual arts, theater, and a variety of athletic activities in addition to arts courses. PVPA serves over a thousand students grades 7-12, from over 60 towns throughout Western Massachusetts. PVPA aims to "connect the creative process with critical thinking to inspire a love of learning. As a charter school, the work we do informs educational policy at local, state and national levels." The students also participate in the revision of the school charter as a democratic process when the charter goes through renewals.
The school has two performance spaces, a main theater and a studio theater. In the 2005-2006 school year, PVPA made a deal with the Academy of Music to hold their big musical production of the year at their facilities. From 2009-2011, PVPA relocated their musicals to UMass Amherst's Bowker Auditorium. In 2012, PVPA's musical productions will relocate back to the Academy of Music, and many of the school's other productions will be held at the Academy as well.[1] PVPA also holds graduation annually at The Calvin Theater in downtown Northampton.
[edit] Music
PVPA is nationally known for its contributions to field of music. The school's a cappella ensemble, 5 Alone, has been acknowledged with 1st place in the Berklee College High School Jazz Festival, and 3rd place in the ICHSA competition. The Music Department covers all different styles of music-from rock to classical.
[edit] Theater
PVPA holds many theatrical productions during the school year. With shows ranging in style from Shakespeare to the sketch comedy group "Headgear" to Commedia dell'Arte and the school's World Drama production, and culminating with the school's annual Musical Theater production. Students from PVPA have gone on to attend such colleges as NYU Tisch School for Performing Arts, Boston University, and Carnegie Mellon Drama.
[edit] Dance
As in all other forms of Art PVPA holds high standards in dance. The Dance department provides many different types of dance such as modern, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop. The highly acclaimed Catayst Dance Company is a pre-professional group that tours nationally and attends the National High School Dance Festival annually.
[edit] Visual arts
The visual arts program is run by Martin Bridge and encompasses stage craft, costume design and lighting in addition to more traditional forms of art, such as mixed media, painting, and figure drawing. It has been much improved since the move to South Hadley, since the rooms were once portable classrooms.
[edit] Lottery
PVPA uses a lottery system to determine who receives entry to PVPA, because over 300 students apply for fewer than a hundred places each year. If accepted, the student's respective city/town will pay for the student as they would for their own students at their own school.
[edit] Emotional Significance
Many of the students of PVPA are more attached to the school than to the typical public high school, due to its accepting and almost familial environment. Students call their teachers by their first names, perform in plays with their teachers, and often stay connected long after graduation. The student body is generally harmonious, as dialogues are often the remedy for social problems rather than harsh discipline. Students have a sense of community as they enjoy small class sizes, close relationships with teachers, and a weekly open-mic session that brings the entire school together.
PVPA introduces a new kind of work and school environment, one that promotes trust and understanding, and gives students faith in their fellow students and teachers. This environment is not only work conducive, but also provides a source of belonging and family outside of the students' own homes. Many PVPA students call the school their "second home" or "real home".
[edit] Controversy
On 27 May 2009, the Evaluation Committee of the PVPA Board of Trustees recommended that the 3-year contract of co-founder and Executive Director Bob Brick not be renewed after it expires at the end of the 2009-2010 academic year. The committee's decision came as a surprise to most faculty, staff, students and parents, many of whom are organizing in support of Bob Brick and his continued tenure as the Executive Director.[2]
- ^ http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/08/24/pvpa-welcomes-new-leader-partners-with-academy-of-music?SESS0cedce82a7a3855de2b4a240d2ab7add=gnews
- ^ Daily Hampshire Gazette, 13 June 2009 "Charter school founder's job on the line"
It was released to student body that, as a result of pressure from the Board of Trustees, Bob Brick would be stepping down from his post as executive director at the end of the 2009/2010 school year, but would remain in an administrative position to help the school through the rechartering process until late fall 2010.
[edit] Noteworthy Alumni
Alicia Chakour, singer and songwriter
Elisha Yaffe, comedian, actor and producer
Sonya Kitchell, singer and songwriter
Seth Glier, singer and songwriter
Zoe Weizenbaum, actor
[edit] Noteworthy Faculty and Staff
Mitch Chakour, Former Musical Director for Joe Cocker
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 42°14′28.7″N 72°35′57.5″W / 42.241306°N 72.599306°W
