How To Get Accepted Into an Art High School
Art-focused high schools are gaining popularity in major cities across the US. The overall quality of education is high, the focus on visual and performing arts allows students to focus on their passion, and generally speaking, the overall safety and atmosphere of arts high schools is wholesome and welcoming. But these schools can be competitive. Students hoping to gain admission into a performing or visual arts high school will need to prepare for tests, portfolio reviews, and more.
If you have a child who would like to attend LaGuardia High School, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Art and Design High School, or another institution, enroll your child in our art classes in NYC. We have classes for elementary aged students through 12th grade, and we can prepare the student for either high school or college admission.
How To Increase Admission Chances at an Art High School
What Exams and Portfolio Reviews Are Like For High School Admission
Art high schools often use a combination of entrance exams, portfolio reviews, and interviews to evaluate applicants. For example, LaGuardia High School requires a visual arts audition, during which students present a portfolio and complete on-site drawing tasks in real time – the sketching classes at Lebeor will prepare them for this. Other schools may ask students to create a piece of art in response to a prompt, or even critique an existing work in front of a panel.
Portfolio reviews are weighted heavily. A strong portfolio should include a variety of works like observational drawings, creative projects, and examples of experimentation with different media. Sinatra School of the Arts, for instance, requires a self portrait, a still life, a figure drawing, and even more pieces specifically outlined on their website.
Bear in mind that admissions committees look for technical skills and creativity, and the ability to convey a narrative through a chosen medium can significantly increase the student’s chances.
In exams or interviews, the panel may wish to focus on general art knowledge and problem-solving. An applicant should have answers ready for questions like:
Who are your influences?
What was your process for this piece?
What are your goals as an artist?
Then work with a teacher, coach, or your peers to run mock juries and interviews. This will help you form answers to common art school interview questions, and you’ll feel more confident going into your portfolio review.
Common Requirements for Art High Schools
Specific requirements vary, but most art high schools expect applicants to meet certain criteria like:
A portfolio of 8–15 pieces showcasing a range of techniques and subject matter
An essay explaining the reasons they wish to attend the school.
Academic transcripts showing solid grades in core subjects
A recommendation letter
Some schools also require standardized test scores. As a parent, you can start looking into requirements when your child is in middle school, and plan ahead for high school admission. If you would like support, get involved in our Brooklyn Art Classes to prepare your child for high school.
Do You Need Significant Art Experience in Middle School to Qualify?
Middle school art experience can help, but it’s not always necessary to have formal training. Many programs around the country do value raw talent and a demonstrated passion for learning. A student may be able to build a strong portfolio by practicing foundational skills at home: think shading, perspective, and composition. Online programs and after-school programs can sometimes provide excellent experience.
However, if you are local to NYC, you will likely need more specific training to gain admission into one of our highly competitive arts high schools. There are tens of thousands of students interested in attending an arts high school, and you’ll need to stand out from the pack.
What High School Art Programs Are Like
In addition to core subjects like math and science, courses may include drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media, and even art history. Students often collaborate on group art projects, participate in peer portfolio reviews, and exhibit their work.
Will It Help With College Art Program Admission?
Yes, attending an art high school can significantly improve your admission chances at the collegiate level. Arts high school grads usually have an advanced and polished portfolio in addition to knowledge usually reserved for freshman art classes (classes like ARTH 101 in many colleges).
Your resume will be stronger, your artistic ability will be more polished, and you’ll likely have connections to local universities already if you attend an arts high schoo.
Let Lebeor School of Art Help You Succeed
As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed while preparing your child for high school admission. That anxiety can increase even further if your child wants to attend a highly competitive art high school. But when you enroll your middle schooler or early high schooler in Lebeor School of Art, you’ll know that you did your best to prepare them. We have weekly classes, the opportunity for portfolio reviews, and we teach all of the fundamentals high school and college art students will need.