<p>I have just moved to a performing arts school in Pittsburgh. The setting is a Charter school as well. This means that the tax money we would pay to my home district would be transfered to this school. Just recently I have heard rumors that colleges do not like charter school students. I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about that....</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>alexamags, don't listen to rumors like that. Colleges are looking for <em>students</em>; that is, they want individuals who are qualified for admission and who will contribute in a positive way to life at that institution. I would think that colleges care far less about <em>where</em> you came from then about what you <em>bring</em> to them. Is this school a brand new one, just opened? Or has it been operating for a number of years? If it has been operating for a number of years, the teachers and guidance people can tell you about how their students fare in the college admissions process. Good luck!</p>
<p>This is a brand new school, so everyone is new to this...</p>
<p>It sounds very exciting, so congratulations for being part of something new. What are you studying there? My D is a junior at a public arts high school in our city, and she studies acting. (They don't have a musical theatre major, unfortunately. One must choose between vocal music and acting, and she chose acting.) It's a terrific and intense conservatory-style program, in which kids are immersed in their arts area for almost four hours a day, and have academics the other almost four hours. Cramming all of that into one day means they don't dismiss until 4:15, but the kids think it's worth it. I am sure you feel the same way. :)</p>
<p>Both of my children attend a performing arts charter school. It is only 4 years old. We have a very good track record of colleges where our graduates have attended or being accepted to this year- many of the top tier academic as well as performance schools. As long as your child gets a hs diploma considered valid in the state (and I am sure they must meet minimum curriculum requirements), you should be fine. </p>
<p>My only caution might be to double check the admissions requirements of the colleges you are interested in - especially in the areas of math and science (where our charter school is probably the weakest). Every so often a school will require another year of science or math - we had no problems with my D this year but I did double check the more academic schools to be safe.</p>
<p>Good luck!
MikksMom
D will be OCU MT '11</p>
<p>As many have said Charter Schools are a relatively new thing - I believe the training you get (or do not get) at whatever school you are transfering to will reflect in your eventual auditions - this is what will matter most in your eventual acceptance into a college or conservatory program - YOUR AUDITION. What school you went to, what summer program you went to, what car your parents drive, etc matters very little - what matters is your audition, your grades (for most colleges), then possibly your statements of intention (at some programs), your references, and then, possibly, what school you went to.</p>
<p>What you might have heard is there is a tide of backlash amoung educators in general against the concept of charter schools. This is because of concerns over having certified teachers, diluting funds available for public education, and other quality questions. If your school is well run and has good faculty that are giving you what you need to develope your skill set and knowledge base - you will be fine.</p>
<p>My daughter attended a performing arts charter school and was part of the second graduating class. She actually received many favorable comments from adreps, because they felt it showed initiative and a willingness to leave her comfort zone (her school was an hour away from our hometown). As a public school, the school still had to meet state-mandated graduation requirements, so that was never an issue.</p>
<p>The only downside was that since it was new school, the GC was still learning some of the ropes along with the students. We just made sure we did everything possible to keep on track, and my daughter double-checked to make sure everything was going out of the GCs office as expected. But that's something she probably would have done anyway...</p>