Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School |
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The outside of LaGuardia High School, located near Lincoln Center in New York City.
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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 | 149.50 (on a FTE basis) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2,141 (2023-2024) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 14.32 |
| Campus | City: Large |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, often called just LaGuardia, is a special public high school in New York City. It's a place where students can focus on visual arts like painting and performing arts like music, dance, and acting. The school is located near Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
LaGuardia is one of New York City's nine specialized high schools. However, it's unique because it doesn't use the regular Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). Instead, students get in by showing their artistic talent through an audition or by presenting a portfolio of their work. The school has a dual mission: to train students for careers in the arts and to provide a strong academic education for college.
Contents
History of the School
The story of LaGuardia begins with two separate schools. In 1936, New York City Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia founded The High School of Music & Art. He wanted a public school where talented students could develop their skills in music and art. A few years later, in 1948, the High School of Performing Arts was created for students who wanted to focus on dance and drama.
In 1961, the city decided to merge these two schools into one. But it took a long time to get them into the same building. Finally, in 1984, the new school building was finished. It was named after Mayor LaGuardia to honor his vision.
The old Music & Art building was nicknamed "The Castle on the Hill." Today, it is part of the City College of New York campus. The old Performing Arts building was on West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan.
What Students Learn at LaGuardia
Students at LaGuardia have a busy schedule. They take all the usual academic classes like math, science, and English. But they also spend a lot of time in their "studio," which is their area of art specialization. Every student chooses one major: Dance, Drama, Art, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, or Technical Theater.
Art Studio
In their first two years, art students learn the basics. They practice drawing what they see, study how colors work together, and learn design principles. After that, they can choose special classes to prepare for careers in areas like:
- Digital Media
- Architecture
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Fashion Design
- Photography
In their final year, art majors can submit their work to be shown in the school's senior galleries.
Music Studio
The music department is very large and active. It includes two symphony orchestras, five choirs, and several bands. Music students study for about three hours every day. They learn music theory, history, and perform in groups.
Instrumental Programs
Students who play an instrument join an orchestra or band.
- LaGuardia Symphony Orchestra: This is the junior orchestra, where students learn to play challenging music.
- LaGuardia Philharmonic: This is the senior orchestra, and students must audition to join. It is one of the school's most famous groups.
- Bands: There are also junior and senior bands for wind, brass, and percussion players, as well as jazz bands.
- Pit Orchestra: This group plays the music for the school's annual musical and opera.
Vocal Programs
Students who major in voice sing in a choir.
- Senior Chorus: This is a top-level choir for juniors and seniors that requires an audition. It often performs at major events.
- Opera Workshop: In this class, students study and perform an opera.
- Other Choirs: The school also has a Gospel Choir and a Show Choir that are open to all students.
Dance Studio
The dance program gives students professional-level training. For the first two years, students focus only on classical ballet and modern dance. In their junior year, they can take classes in musical theater and tap. Seniors learn about how to manage a career in dance and perform in two big shows during the year.
Drama Studio
The drama program trains students in acting. They learn skills for both stage and screen. Students perform in plays and shows throughout the year, getting real experience in front of an audience.
Technical Theater Studio
This program is for students who want to work behind the scenes. They learn how to design and build sets, manage lighting and sound, and run all the technical parts of a show. They get hands-on experience by working on the school's many productions in its three theaters.
Sports at LaGuardia
Even though LaGuardia is an arts school, it also has a strong sports program. The school offers 21 different sports and competes against other schools in the Public School Athletic League (PSAL).
- Fall Sports: Bowling, swimming, volleyball, cross country, fencing, and soccer.
- Winter Sports: Basketball, gymnastics, and indoor track.
- Spring Sports: Baseball, outdoor track, tennis, handball, and softball.
LaGuardia in Movies and TV
The 1980 movie Fame was inspired by student life at the School of Performing Arts before it became LaGuardia. The movie was so popular that it led to a TV show called Fame in 1982 and a stage musical in 1988. A new version of the movie was made in 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School para niños
- List of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
- Professional Children's School
- Professional Performing Arts School
- School of American Ballet
- Special Music School
