FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What programs does LIHSA offer?
Students choose one of six approved New York State approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways: Performing Arts, Sonic Arts, Visual and Media Arts and Production, Expressive Arts in Human Development, Managerial Arts and Game Design. The LIHSA model is based on a two-year sequence of study (students can attend longer and/or at any point in their high school years), taking 3.5 credits in a required core program area plus 4.5 credits in an area of further concentration. Beyond the required 3.5 program pathway credits, students will be able to deepen their skill set with specialized coursework in the areas of fine art, digital media, film, concert and commercial dance, music performance (instrumental/vocal), digital music, drama, musical theatre, and special effects. The interplay between the core coursework and the student’s technical skill building will result in a versatile professional.
When can my child drive to LIHSA?
Students who hold a junior license (Class DJ, MJ or DJ/MJ), may drive in Nassau and Suffolk counties between the hours of 5 AM and 9 PM without a supervising driver to an approved program for credit in a post-secondary institution. Since LIHSA falls in this category, students may drive to LIHSA with their junior driver’s license. More information here.
How is the school day set up?
Students come to LIHSA for artistic career preparation from either 8:00-10:30 or 12:00-2:30 daily, during which time they take six classes weekly. The LIHSA experience is a half-day fully immersive artistic endeavor—students complete their remaining academic requirements at their district, or private high school. Being on a campus with peers with similar aspirations allows students to focus on their art. Gaining valuable insights and diverse perspectives, not only from their master teachers but also from world-renowned guest artists and organizations, inspires students and helps them form their own artistic voice or identity.
The morning and afternoon sessions mirror each other—there is no advantage to attending one over the other.
What do I do if my district will not allow me to attend LIHSA?
The requirements mandating public school districts to make CTE instruction available to all New York State students are specified in both New York State legislation and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Read more
In addition, NYSED states that “all public-school districts shall offer students the opportunity to complete a three-or five-unit sequence in each of the following areas: career and technical education and the arts.” More information
When was LIHSA established?
Is LIHSA open to students in both public and private schools?
Can I pay for my child to attend the school, if the district will not send?
Do you offer weekend or evening classes to the public?
What grade can my child start attending the program at LIHSA?
Who provides the transportation?
What are the differences between the in-district arts programs and LIHSA?
- LIHSA is an approved Career and Technical Education program. Under New York State’s “4+1” pathway assessment option, students must take and pass four required Regents Exams and complete a comparably rigorous pathway to meet the fifth assessment requirement for graduation. Students can now do this with completion of the Career and Technical Education-approved exam and the core sequence of classes at LIHSA. Students will also be eligible for a Technical Endorsement on their diploma if they meet the requirements for either a local diploma, a Regents diploma or a Regents diploma with advanced designation AND successfully completes the approved CTE program including the 3-part technical assessment. LIHSA also offers Physical Education, English and Arts credit options needed for NYS graduation. In addition, students enrolled in LIHSA will also complete Work Based Learning (WBL) hours thru their participation in classes. WBL at LIHSA is most often aligned with world renown arts organizations who provide artistic residencies that provide opportunities for students to work side by side with an artist in a selected art form.
- The environment. LIHSA gives young emerging artists the opportunity to explore and refine their talents in a one-of-a-kind, master-apprentice, arts-centered community. Being on a campus with peers with similar aspirations allows students to focus on their art. Gaining valuable insights and diverse perspectives, not only from their teachers but also from world-renowned guest artists and organizations, inspires students and helps them form their own artistic voice or identity. During a recent visit to LIHSA music icon Billy Joel spoke of the benefits of an arts school experience, “I didn’t go to a school like this. It would have been really helpful to know there are other people who wanted to do this similar kind of thing and who are trying to learn all the skills necessary to do this.”LIHSA’s resources of alumni and professional arts organizations is broad and savvy about the professional art world. Through projects, artistic residencies, field trips, participation in exhibitions and events, students have regular engagement with working professionals. The creative journey is personal, but also shared, and the interactions that students have with staff and each other feed their learning.
- The facilities. LIHSA’s facilities are specially designed to support the school’s mission of educating the next generation of the creative workforce. Our 38,000 square feet across three buildings are filled with professional workspaces and facilities. We have four dance studios on campus, a larger theatre that holds 350 audience members with lighting and sound equipment, two smaller black box theatres, an audio-recording studio, numerous classroom spaces, practice rooms, art studios, film editing room, dark room, digital music space and a carpentry shop for scenic design. During the past two summers and academic year, a complete renovation of six classroom spaces fitted with special acoustic tile was completed, new maple flooring in two dance studios, a refurbishment of the wood floor in the other two happened, and an additional gallery wall space added. Through a $100,000 grant from Exploring the Arts, we were able to procure relevant modern equipment as well as technical advice on how to reimagine a cutting-edge music program for aspiring professional musicians.
- Specialized College Guidance. Creating a post-graduation plan can be an intense experience but the additional requirements of applying to fine and performing arts colleges, conservatories, and post-secondary programs can be even more challenging to navigate without the right support system in place. At LIHSA, we ensure our students are supported every step of the way with staff, resources, and experiences that best align with the skills, interests, and post-secondary goals of our students. Our students have access to a counselor experienced in assisting students applying to arts focused college programs, an annual arts-based college fair and workshops.
- Our curriculum. LIHSA’s refreshed curriculum is informed by extensive research done with colleges and universities, with exceptional programs in the arts, to get a sense of which programs were trending and which were waning to ensure that the coursework we were reimagining would prepare students for postsecondary study. In addition, a grouping of industry experts was formed two years ago, that met regularly, to examine the data collected, discuss potential curricular changes, review assessments, imagine how artistic residencies could function, scrutinize schedules and set the course for LIHSA to apply to become a CTE endorsed program. LIHSA’s new courses are designed to provide graduates with the attributes and skills to innovate and create opportunity; to work within and beyond the areas of their specialty; and to bring the values of their creative practice to bear on the world in diverse and unexpected ways.
Does LIHSA have an after-school program?
The arts are a nice hobby, but can you get a job doing this?
Attendance and LIHSA
Can I visit LIHSA?
Yes! We offer a number of Admissions events throughout the academic year. Learn more about Visiting Us, or view all Admissions Events.