Performing arts schools (San Diego, Chula Vista, Corona: condos, magnet school, to live)

[csaba]

Hi there,
We are most likely relocating to San Diego this coming spring from Columbus, Ohio. I have two daughters and I was looking at the schools online. My oldest daughters is a dancer and I saw there are several performing art schools. It is all a little confusing to me at this point and I would welcome any thoughts/suggestions on them. As well, as area's to live. We were focusing on North Counties but not sure now. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much! - csaba

[bestwest]

One very good performing arts school, especially for dance, is San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) at 2425 Dusk Drive, 92139. It's a public magnet school. I worked there for 15 years. They have a new, really good principal now. If you live anywhere in San Diego Unified School District, you can go to that school. It's 6th through 12th grade. For 9th grade and above, students have to audition to get in. The audition is not that hard. The dance classes are fantastic. There are buses available for transportation from anywhere in the district. Kids come from all over San Diego to go there, so the school has an eclectic mix of students, every ethnicity, every socioeconomic level, which I think is great. They do not have gang problems or problems with violence at the school. It's a very safe school. No sports, just arts--great music, dance art, video/film, drama. Plenty of dancers from SCPA have gone on to professional dance companies and Broadway. Prices for housing are now affordable in many parts of San Diego city. Let me know if you want a contact at SCPA for more info. I know everyone there, especially the dance teachers.

North County has Canyon Crest Academy, part of the San Dieguito School District. It's a very good school, but in a VERY expensive part of town. (Starter condos at $300-450K, starter detached at $500K plus) The dance is much better at SCPA, the school above. Also, it's a lottery to get in to CCA, no buses available, and the other HS's in the district have no dance at all. You really have no guarantee at all that your daughter will get in to CCA. However, all the schools in the district are excellent.

Coronado High School has good dance, but it's even more expensive to live there. They do accept students from other districts, but you'd have to drive across the bridge every day--not very convenient.

Chula Vista has a Performing Arts High School, but that is very far south.

There are no other Performing Arts High Schools in SD County.

[plaidfrogg]

Originally Posted by bestwest

There are no other Performing Arts High Schools in SD County.

Not entirely true..... There is The Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy. It's private. There is one in El Cajon and one in North Park (used to be in Clairemont).