VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

The Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPAA) at Salem High School in Virginia Beach, VA consists of five strands: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts. The VPAA is four-year learning community for students ready to develop their artistic voice, strengthen their craft, challenge themselves academically, and contribute to a community of young artists. 

The VPAA is a school-within-a-school where students receive intensive arts instruction while remaining part of the comprehensive Salem High School community. The VPAA experience complements - rather than replaces - a student's academic goals, friendships, activities, athletics, and broader interests. 
 

Students apply to a specific strand and complete a sequential four-year program designed to deepen skill, knowledge, independence, and artistic voice. The goal is not simply to take arts classes--the goal is to become a more capable, curious, and independent artist. 

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Applications are completed through the VBCPS academy application process. Each VPAA strand has specific auction or portfolio requirements. 

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​​For more information - including program overview, strand details, FAQs, open house dates, the application timeline, audition/portfolio workshop details, and application deadlines - please visit the VPAA website and Salem High School website.