Visual and Performing Arts Academy
The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) academy at North Port High School provides highly specialized and
intensive training for students who possess special talents in the visual and performing arts area of music, dance,
and theatre (performance and technical). Students take at least 6-8 credits in their particular arts discipline. The
experiences and training provided by the Visual Performing Arts Academy are designed to prepare the serious
student of the arts for future study.
Students who apply/audition to the Visual and Performing Arts Academy because they are considering a career
in the arts field, wish to major or minor in the arts in college, or consider the arts a personal passion, must
complete the VPA application process and placement audition. Students must have a 2.5 GPA when applying to
the VPA. If accepted, all VPA students are required to take specific courses within their own arts discipline
every school year. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA within their VPA courses to remain in the program.
Dance: All students who are interested in investigating dance classes are welcome to enroll in one or two
periods of dance by taking Dance Technique 1 and/or Ballet 1 during freshman year. (Space in these classes is
limited, priority is given to grade 9 students. If you do not choose to take dance or ballet during freshman year
there may not be space available in the class during year 10-12!) All dance students will participate in after
school rehearsals and performances at least once per semester, and will be required to obtain appropriate attire,
footwear and grooming supplies.
Dedicated dance students are encouraged to apply for placement into beginning, intermediate, and advanced
level VPA “double block” classes consisting of both Dance Technique and Ballet. Students interested in
applying to the Visual and Performing Arts Dance program should submit a completed application packet at the
time of their audition. Students accepted to the VPA Dance program will be eligible to attend special in state and
out of state trips to participate in: state assessment, workshops, and audition opportunities for colleges,
universities, scholarships, and professional companies. VPA Dance students have more opportunities for
performance each semester than general population students. Senior VPA students may also take a third course
entitled Senior Career Seminar in which they will prepare for college and career auditions, and create
independent study projects with the guidance of NPHS faculty.
Theatre: Students who apply to the Visual and Performing Arts Program, because they are considering theatre
as a possible career, must complete the VPA Application process and Placement Audition. If accepted, all VPA
students are required to take specific courses every school year. There are 2 focus choices: Acting and Musical
Theatre. Students in Acting must enroll in Theatre 1-4 and Acting 1-4. Students in a Musical Theatre focus
must enroll in Voice and Diction (1st year), Musical Theatre 1-3 (years 2-4). If they are also enrolled in the
Acting program, they don’t have to take additional classes. If they are not enrolled in the Acting program, then
they must choose between Vocal Techniques, Choir, Dance Technique or Ballet.
Students in both programs are encouraged to take some summer online classes in order to make room for
additional theatre classes but are not required. Both acting and musical theatre students are required to purchase
rehearsal wear and performance footwear for participation. Students accepted to the VPA Program will be
eligible to attend special trips, workshops, and audition opportunities for colleges and scholarships.
Music:
Band - Students accepted into the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band 1 (top jazz band) are considered VPA students
and will be afforded extra opportunities. Students in VPA band/jazz band will be expected to jury (perform for
the faculty to demonstrate mastery of musical concepts) each quarter. They will be expected to participate in
FBA district solo and ensemble festival and will need to pass a basic theory test in order to earn the VPA
endorsement. Students accepted into the Symphonic band are considered “Pre-VPA” and will be expected to