“This is still a small school,” said principal Craig Shreckengast at a recent open house for families considering sending thier kids to FWAFA, noting at the same time that the school was recently named National Charter School of the Year by the Center for Education Reform.  After a presentation by the Academy’s  skilled fine arts troups, including a mind-bending West African choir piece produced bythe Texas Boys Choir General in prep school jackets and ties, visitors to the open house were treated to a tour of the facilities. Many were anxious to gain entrance and it’s easy to see why. What’s at stake is private-school type ideas at public school prices.  

FWAFA is a Charter School for grades 3-12, coed,  focussed on the performing arts.

Founded:  2001

Tuition: No regular tuition; $600  materials fee 

Financial Aid Program: for those who need help with materials fee.

Enrollment: about 400 students

Application process:  Students must come to the school’s office to submit an applicaton between now and February 27, 2009. There is a performance audition.  According to the school, “Students are accepted to FWAFA through an auditiion process based solely on artistic talent and/or potential.” 

Philosophy:  A fine arts education offered along with a college-prep curriculum. Mission statement lists the schools goals as “providing a structured environment for the development of world-class artists. Essential elements of this development are artistic training and accredited academic aduction, as well as instilling in each stuetn a sense of self-discipline, self-confidence, etiquette, patroitism, and personal appearance.” 

Accreditation:  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Location:   On Hulen Boulevard north of I-20, across from the Southwest Regional Library

Academics:   High school students prepare for college and students take honors and AP courses. Classes are smaller than in the general public school, and the school’s GreatSchools academic score is 8/10, which suggests a student body significantly more capable than the average public school.  FWAFA eceived a “recognized” rating from the Texas Education Agency.

Extracurricular Activities:   All students at FWAFA study choir, theater, Dance, instrumental and visual arts starting in 3rd grade. In middle school, students begin to specialize and chose area of artistic discipline in high school.  Features the Texas Boys Choir, the Singing Girls of Texas, and the Academy Dance Company.

Website:  Fort Worth Academy of the Fine Arts