Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

I have been a student at FWAFA for four years. FWAFA is definitely a unique school. The students are all there because they are gifted in the arts and went through the audition process. Parents are supportive and encouraging. Teachers and faculty are also there because they have a passion for the arts and academics. Maybe they don't get paid a lot, but that helps to weed out the teachers who are there for the wrong reasons. Some people just can't handle the environment. We are like a huge family and we stick up for one another. Teachers push us because they know that we can handle it. We are ranked in the top schools in the nation and our test scores show that we take academics very seriously, especially in our English department, where we learn how to use proper grammar... We work hard for our grades because we understand that being a student at FWAFA isn't something to take for granted. We take pride in who we are. FWAFA is a fantastic school built around community, the arts, strong academics and students, parents, faculty and teachers that truly care.

I totally disagree with yesterday's post...I am assuming this "previous" teacher must have been fired from the English department due to the fact that his/her post had incorrect grammar! My daughter has been @ FWAFA for 5 years and she is definitely excelling. I have personally had experience with a private school, public schools, & charter schools with my children. As with all schools, we have encountered minor issues with FWAFA but NOTHING to "write home about"! My daughter is highly motivated to make high grades in all of her classes. As her mom (a college grad), I know just how hard she works and just how hard the subject matter is that she is being taught...at least a year ahead of FWISD. All of her classmates are highly motivated and are realizing just how important their studies & grades are in getting into college. FWAFA is a "college prep" school...Everyone there wants to go to college. I feel extremely lucky for my daughter to have gotten into this fine school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former Teacher one of the worst schools academically as well as student attempts to learn. They are so use to receiving grades they don't even try. This is the worst schools ever. If a student don't pass the state assessments they are sent back to their home schools raising the high test results. This is a farce, the state should investigate. Teachers teaching subjects they are not qualified for.
—Submitted by a teacher

The administration of this school seems to exist only to collect their paychecks. Many of the staff are unqualified and inexperienced mothers of current or former students. The children of the staff have access to all private and sensitive matters discussed in the office and brag about this knowledge to their classmates. Upper School Students must spend 2 hours per day in "arts" classes, a waste of time for most, making the school day 2 hours longer than other high schools (8am-3.45pm, days preceding concerts can rehearse until 10pm). PTO is practically nonexistent, the principle must attend all committee meetings and all decisions must be personally approved by him, so every year no decisions are made and the principle tells the PTO what their fund-raising money must be used for. The theater department is excellent, as is upper school biology, but if you have a choice..run from this school - go to Booker T.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended FWAFA, starting with my oldest, for 8 years now. We are very happy and blessed to have such dedicated teachers and staff. It is not your typical school, so it isn't for everyone. Academics are excellent and held at high standards, and artistic children are naturally inclined to be able to handle it. I also find that FWAFA prepares my children for the real world. My children have learned responsibility, respect, acceptance, self-confidence, just to name a few. The school has grown in size, and no longer has the feel of a "small school," where you know the names of all the children, but certainly has maintained its charisma, integrity and excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

As another year is coming to a close, I have to say that I feel so fortunate that my child attends FWAFA. Her high ACT and SAT scores are a direct reflection of the quality education she is receiving at FWAFA. Academics does not get put on the back burner to the fine arts. She has been pushed in her LA and math courses in order to prepare for college. As my child talks with friends that go to other schools, she quickly realizes that the high expectations at FWAFA academically and in the area of fine arts is a gift. Yes, she has a large academic load on top of her performances; however, this will give her the time management skills she needs to be successful as a college student/performer. Thank you FWAFA staff for challanging my high achieving student!
—Submitted by a parent

FWAFA is a great performing arts school. But other than performing arts, I am very concerned. My child has been taught numerous things incorrectly. Has gone from an "excelled" student, to one that is barely passing in a couple of classes. The school is very disorganized. You get several different emails and changes of information at the last minute. The administration is very lax. I am not happy as a parent with the academics. If you are only looking for fine arts, this is a great place. If you are looking for structure, high academics, etc., I would look REALLY DEEP before I considered placing my child here.
—Submitted by a parent

FWAFA offers challenging academics and amazing fine arts opportunites that focus on a variety of learning styles. However, valuing students as individuals, professionlism, and adequate attention to concerns, whether minimal or serious, have much to be desired. On the surface, FWAFA is impressive, though once inside you find its a different story.
—Submitted by a parent

FWAFA is a wonderful school with excellent teachers who really care about very student. Great students full of talent and desire to learn and work hard to achieve thier goals. Parents that are involved in thier children's lives and who invest time, love, money & devotion towards helping thier children succeed in thier goals & life. The kids at FWAFA recieve a great education & are well prepared for college.
—Submitted by a parent

I also agree that obtaining homework from middle school teachers is a challening task. All though the academics are on course and the staff is overall courteous, there are a few teachers who see it as their personal job to make the students life a as hard and unsuccessful as possible. Most teachers have posted tutoring times and are willing to stay and help. The few who do not find time in their scedules to stay after really make student success hard to come by. As a parent of a child with different learning style, it is hard to balance enthusiam for the arts and success in the classroom. It seems like a few teachers with a point to prove can ruin a good thing.
—Submitted by a parent

The high school school has many good qualities for arts, but offers very little academic structure for those children who need it. It's difficult to get make-up work from the teachers when my child is absent. It's also difficult to get the teachers to respond to inquiries about acedemics.
—Submitted by a parent

FWAFA is an excellent school which is known for their performance groups, although not enough is said about their quality academics. Not only is FWAFA ranked 6th out of the Top 20 High Schools in the DFW but also has an exemplary accountabilty rating. FWAFA in my opinion is just as good or even better than some of the overpriced private schools in the area and can hold their own. My children love it there and say that they are being challanged by their teachers as well. We are pleased to be part of the FWAFA family.
—Submitted by a parent

The children not only get all the basics of a good eduction, but can develop their artistic talents as well.

This is the first year that my daughter has attended FWAFA and is a 9th grader. She loves it! There is a lot of homework but I think that would be the case anywhere going from Middle School to High School. They are committed to offering a quality education that balances the arts and high academics. I was so pleased to hear that FWAFA ranked 6th in the Top 20 High Schools in the greater Dallas Area based on a study that was published in the Dallas Morning News on September 13th. We feel blessed that she was selected to attend FWAFA!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated from FWAFA last year and is attending college with excellent talent and academic based scholarships. She transferred in from a 5A school and I believe that the 3 years she spent at FWAFA molded her as a student and performer in a way the other school could not. The faculty and staff are extremely supportive.
—Submitted by a parent

the Theater program is excellent. The music is a' favorites situation' and the leadership is lacking the teachers get away with not sticking to policy and making their own rules, sometimes at the cost of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

My childs second year at this school. Academically I dont think they are up to par. I found it hard to get assistance with my child from her elementary teacher and kept getting the run around.Very hard to get assistance with tutoring. The school is devoted to the performing groups and lack in other programs. My child loves the school so I am allowing her to stay another school year to see if it improves but may decide to put back in public school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our first year and it is only the 3rd week of school and we already feel like a real part of things. Everyone is so helpful. I have been very pleased with the academics. The staff and administration are very approachable. We couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I can not say enough good things about this school. The faculty and staff are heavily invested in the students and school as a whole. These are not just jobs for these people. This is evidenced by the number of hours spent outside the school day volunteering to lead extra-curricular activities. The feeling of community is another benefit at FWAFA. The older students mentor the younger students, especially within the specific arts. As a dancer, it is so valuable for my daughter to have strong high school dancers who are excellent role models and also very kind to the younger students. The academics are top notch at FWAFA, so there is no trade off of academics for arts. The most telling statement was made by my daughter in her first year at FWAFA. 'Each day I just can't wait to go to school-and that's kind of unusal for me.' Makes a parent smile!
—Submitted by a parent

I couldn't be happier with FWAFA. This is my daughter's second year there and she has enjoyed it so much while getting a great education and having the opportunity to participate in all of the arts. The new principal is a great balance to the school as he is very academically-minded. All of the teachers that I have come in contact with seem very devoted to the school and the students all seem happy - what more could a parent ask for?
—Submitted by a parent