Creative Arts Academy

Creative Arts High School is a special public high school in Camden County, New Jersey. It focuses on teaching fine and performing arts, like music, drama, and visual arts, along with regular school subjects for students in ninth through twelfth grades. The school opened in 1999 with just under 50 students and has grown since then.

Students from Camden can apply to join if they are entering sixth or ninth grade and show interest in the arts. They also need to meet certain grades and attendance rules. Getting into the school depends on auditions, school scores, and interviews.

As of the 2024–25 school year, Creative Arts High School had about 209 students and 29 teachers. This means each teacher works with about 7 students, which helps everyone get more attention. Nearly half of the students qualify for free lunch, showing that the school helps many different kinds of families.

History

In 2011, the academy joined with Morgan Village Middle School, adding programs for grades 6 to 8. The new school was named Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy.

In the 2021–22 school year, the high school moved into a new building that cost $133 million. This building is on Park Boulevard and is shared with Brimm Medical Arts High School and Camden Big Picture Learning Academy.

Awards, recognition and rankings

Creative and Performing Arts High School was chosen as a Bronze Medal winner by U.S. News & World Report in its 2008 list of the best high schools.

In 2012, the school was ranked 180th among public high schools in New Jersey by New Jersey Monthly. Earlier rankings include 117th in 2010 and 196th in 2008. In 2006, it was ranked 187th among the state's schools.

Extracurricular activities

Creative Arts High School does not have its own sports teams, but students can join the sports teams at Camden High School and Eastside High School.

The school’s Jazz Band has done very well, earning recognition at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival and winning first place in 2010.

Screening process

Each year in May, about 100 students are selected from all the applicants to try out for the school. From these 100, around 40 students are chosen. They are picked based on their school grades, a test taken during the tryouts, and how well they do in their tryouts in music, drama, writing, art, dance, and costume design.

Administration

The principal of the school is Davida L. Coe-Brockington.

Notable alumni

Some well-known people who went to Creative Arts High School include Khris Davis, an actor born in 1987.