Who We Are
What is a Charter School?
Our Mission
Promotion Policy
Registration/Scheduling
School Hours
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Who We Are...
Aiken Performing Arts Academy is a growing, tuition-free, performing arts high school located in downtown Aiken, SC. We offer classes in Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts as well as teach all the academic courses recommended by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. We are a charter school and we require all our students to pass the HSAP for a state diploma (see our Academics page for more on the courses we offer). As we embark on our second year, we invite you to come and grow with us!
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Accredited | State of SC |
| Colors | Red and Black |
| Mascot | Titans |
What is a Charter School?
A charter school is a public school created by educators, parents, or community members to fill a certain need in the community. In the case of Aiken Performing Arts Academy, we specialize in the performing arts, and like other public schools we are tuition free and accredited.
Our Mission
The APA Academy mission is to offer parents, educators and community members a platform to provide Aiken County students with equitable learning opportunities in the high school setting. These opportunities will be provided through the use of unique, diverse, flexible and productive teaching methods focused on improving their academic development, and promoting artistic growth with an education in the performing arts.
Promotion Policy
- A student will be classified as a ninth-grader (Freshman) during his/her first year in high school after having met the requirements of grade 8 for 9th grade placement.
- A student will be classified as a tenth-grader (Sophomore) provided he/she has earned at least 5 units toward graduation, including 1 unit in English and 1 unit in math.
- A student will be classified as an eleventh-grader (Junior) provided he/she has earned at least 11 units of credit toward graduation, including 2 units in English and 2 units in math.
- A student will be classified as a twelfth-grader (Senior) provided he/she has earned at least 17 units, including 3 units in English, 3 units in math and 2 units in science.
| Requirements for a South Carolina High School Diploma | |
|---|---|
| English | 4 units |
| Mathematics | 4 units |
| Science | 3 units |
| Government | 1/2 units |
| Economics | 1/2 units |
| U.S. History | 1 unit |
| Other Social Science | 1 unit |
| Computer Science | 1 unit |
| Physical Education | 1 unit |
| Electives | 8 units |
Registration/Scheduling
The registration process will begin in the spring of the year. The Master Schedule will be built based on the courses requested by the students with the approval of the counselor and parents.
In the event a student fails a class or is denied credit, we will automatically make the necessary adjustments, selecting from alternate classes.
If an APAA student needs to attend a summer school, permission must be granted by the director or her designee.
During the registration process, transcripts will be checked to make sure students are meeting the requirements for graduation. Students planning to enter a specific college should check for the requirements for entry into that college. In the event that specific classes must be scheduled to meet these requirements, we will make the adjustments if you let us know.
School Hours
Aiken Performing Arts Academy will maintain the following hours each day. Any changes to this daily schedule due to holidays, Parent Conference Days, field trips, bad weather, ect. will be communicated to each family via monthly calendars, parent updates, or telephone calls. APA Academy rehearsals will be scheduled by individual performing art teachers as needed. We are a part of the Aiken County School district and our attendance schedule mirrors those of the other public schools in the district. If you have any questions, please call the main office at (803) 644-4824.
The Main Office will be open from 8:00am - 3:00pm.
APAA will come to session from 7:30am-3:00pm.
We hope this information has been helpful to you. Please note, policies listed above are subject to change at the school's discretion. Any questions or comments? Please call the main office at (803) 644-4824 during office hours, or contact our Principal, Mrs. Clyburn, by email at Bclyburn@lkca.k12.sc.us .
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