Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School |
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The exterior of LaGuardia, one block west of Lincoln Center
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100 Amsterdam Ave
, 10023
United States
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| Coordinates | 40°46′27″N 73°59′08″W / 40.77417°N 73.98556°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public, Selective school |
| Established | 1961 |
| School district | New York City Geographic District #3 |
| NCES School ID | 360007804458 |
| Principal | Deepak Marwah |
| Teaching staff | 151.30 (on a FTE basis) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2,381 (2022-2023) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 15.74 |
| Campus | City: Large |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, often called LaGuardia or "LaG", is a special public high school in Manhattan, New York City. It focuses on teaching visual arts and performing arts. The school is located near Lincoln Center on Amsterdam Avenue.
LaGuardia High School is run by the New York City Department of Education. It was created by combining two older schools: the High School of Music & Art and the School of Performing Arts. The school has two main goals: to prepare students for careers in the arts or for advanced arts training, and to help them get into college. It is known for producing many talented artists and is considered one of the best performing arts high schools in the country.
LaGuardia is unique among New York City's specialized high schools. It gets special funding from the state. Also, unlike most other specialized schools, students do not need to take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) to get in.
Contents
- Discovering LaGuardia's History
- Exploring Academic Programs
- Diving into Arts Studios
- Participating in Sports
- LaGuardia in Movies and TV
- See also
Discovering LaGuardia's History
The High School of Music & Art was started in 1936 by Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia. He wanted a public school where students could develop their talents in music, art, and performing. Later, in 1948, the High School of Performing Arts was created for students talented in dance.
These two schools officially joined together in 1961. However, it took many years for them to move into one building. In 1984, the schools finally moved into a new building next to Lincoln Center. This new building was named after Mayor LaGuardia to honor him. Before this, the Music & Art school was known as "The Castle on the Hill."
Graduates from LaGuardia and its original schools often help current students. They offer scholarships and support special programs and events. This shows how much the alumni care about the school and its students.
Exploring Academic Programs
Students at LaGuardia take regular school classes along with their arts training. Each student chooses one main art area, called a "studio." These choices are Dance, Drama, Art, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, or Technical Theater.
Students can also choose to take honors classes. LaGuardia also offers several Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These are college-level classes that can earn students college credit.
Diving into Arts Studios
The school puts on a big musical every year. A special class called Musical Theater brings together students from different art studios. They work together to create a major musical performance. Past shows include Les Misérables, West Side Story, and The Sound of Music.
Art Studio: Creating Visual Masterpieces
For their first two years, art students learn basic art skills. They practice drawing from observation, learn about color, and understand design principles. After that, they can choose more specific art classes. These include Digital Media, Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Fashion Design, and Photography. In their final year, some art students can show their work in special senior galleries.
Music Studio: Making Melodies and Harmonies
The music department has many groups. These include two symphony orchestras, five choirs, and several bands. Vocal and instrumental students spend three hours a day on music. This includes performing in groups, taking elective classes like music technology, and studying music theory and history.
Instrumental Programs: Playing Together
Every instrumental student must join a performing group. They also take a class for their specific instrument.
- The LaGuardia Symphony Orchestra helps students play more complex music.
- The LaGuardia Philharmonic is a well-known advanced orchestra.
- Junior Jazz teaches basic jazz performance.
- Senior Jazz is the school's main jazz band.
- The Pit Orchestra plays for the annual musical and opera.
Vocal Programs: Singing Your Heart Out
All vocal students sing in a chorus during their first two years.
- Women's Chorus is for third- and fourth-year female voice students.
- Senior Chorus is a special group for juniors and seniors. They often perform for important music organizations.
- Gospel Chorus and Show Choir are open to all students.
- Opera Workshop is for advanced vocal students. They study and perform opera.
Musicology Programs: Understanding Music
Every music student must learn basic sight singing, music theory, and music history.
- The LaGuardia New Music Ensemble focuses on writing and performing popular music.
- Music Technology teaches about music production and electronic music.
- Composition classes teach students how to write their own music.
Drama Studio: Acting and Performing
The drama department often has guest teachers. Famous actors like Jake Gyllenhaal and Alan Rickman have visited to talk with students. Some famous graduates, like Timothée Chalamet and Ansel Elgort, have also returned. Rapper Nicki Minaj also studied drama here.
Dance Studio: Moving with Grace
The Dance Department trains students for professional dance careers. For the first two years, students focus on classical ballet and modern dance techniques. In their junior year, they can take musical theater and tap classes. Juniors also perform for the first time and create their own dances. Seniors take classes to prepare for their careers and perform in two big shows.
Technical Theater Studio: Behind the Scenes
The Technical Theater Studio teaches students skills for working behind the scenes in theater. This includes lighting, sound, set design, and stage management. Students get hands-on experience by working on the school's professional shows in the concert hall and theaters.
Participating in Sports
LaGuardia offers 21 different sports at the Varsity level. The school competes through the Public School Athletic League (PSAL).
Fall Season Sports
In the fall, students can play bowling, swimming, volleyball, cross country, fencing, and soccer.
Winter Season Sports
Winter sports include basketball, gymnastics, and indoor track.
Spring Season Sports
In the spring, the school offers baseball, outdoor track, tennis, volleyball, handball, and softball.
LaGuardia in Movies and TV
The 1980 movie Fame was based on student life at the School of Performing Arts before it joined with LaGuardia. A TV show and a stage musical were also made based on the film. A new version of the movie was released in 2009.
See also
- List of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
- Professional Children's School
- Professional Performing Arts School
- School of American Ballet
- Special Music School
