Arts

Schools and programs that specialize in a variety of arts subjects, giving students a hands-on experience and the oppurtunity to learn important skills in these industries.

What schools offer Arts programs?

EPSB

Victoria School of the Arts

Vimy Ridge Academy

*NOTE* These two schools of EPSB offer more art-specific programs and courses than other schools in Edmonton, allowing more opportunities for the student to be immersed in the arts and the industries related. However, almost all high schools in Edmonton offer arts courses as electives.

What should you know about the Arts?

Curriculum

Curriculum in optional courses are structured by the instructor according to subject.
Schools/programs offering professional training will be structured with both syllabi courses (follows a standard international or national curriculum) and non-syllabi courses (instructor decides what and how to teach).
Courses offered by IB or AP will follow IB or AP curriculum (for example, General Music IB, or AP Art).
Vimy dance offers Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabi.

Courses & Structure

Victoria School of the Arts → Most courses structured as optional courses similar to most high schools, but the school offers a larger variety of arts courses (including culinary arts) with hands-on experience.
Vimy Ridge Academy → Academic courses are taught in the morning, while afternoons are allotted for training.

More Information

The official website for Victoria School of the Arts can be accessed through this link: Victoria School of the Arts, and the official EPSB link for the school can be found here: Victoria EPSB

The official website for Vimy Ridge Academy can be accessed through this link: Vimy Ridge Academy, and the Vimy Dance page can be found here: Vimy Dance

Quality Training

Graduates of both schools that specialize in arts have gone to become extremely successful in the industry.

Prerequisites, Eligibility, & Cost

This is often school specific, so make sure to carefully check with each school.
Most art courses will involve an additional fee for supplies, for example:

Instrumental Music (Band) will have rental fees for instruments (~$100, which can be subsidized by schools sometimes with fundraisers).
Art courses that require basic individual supplies will require fees to cover costs (generally $25-50).

For Vimy Ridge Dance, there is an audition process and the student must have a background in dance.This program also requires additional costs to cover professional training.

Exams and Scores

Varies depending on school, but follows the predefined curriculum (for example, Victoria School of the Arts and Vimy Ridge Academy follow the EPSB Alberta curriculum).
Finishing a program with Vimy Dance can get a student an international certificate.

Benefits

In addition to core academic courses, the student gets to experience a focused arts program of their choosing
Often art is incorporated into other course materials, making it a more suitable environment for the student whose interest is in the arts
Allows for creative challenges and an encouraging cohort with similar interests
Provides networking advantages; professional artists and entrepreneurs train with students with aligning career interests.
Allows for an early start on setting up a career and gaining experience in the field

Drawbacks

Not as many diverse electives besides the arts
Can be a competitive environment
Can be costly (with rentals and supplies)
These schools are usually less focus on academic course material