Hippodrome Foundation Helps Students Tackle the Application Process to Magnet Arts High Schools

Although it seems like the beginning of the school year, many 8th grade students throughout Baltimore city and county are already getting ready to apply to high school.  For students who hope to attend one of Baltimore’s prestigious Magnet Arts High Schools, it is a competitive process which requires extensive planning and preparation.  To help these students and their families with the process, the Hippodrome Foundation, Inc. (HFI) has prepared a Guide for Students which collates and organizes all the pertinent information and important dates in the application process.  The guide is available as a FREE download on the HFI website at www.hippodromefoundation.org.

HFI Director, Olive Waxter, says, “We hope that by providing basic information, such as application deadlines or what to wear to an audition, HFI will help students pursue their dreams.  We want every student to have the opportunity to compete for a space at one or our local excellent Art High Schools.  It’s heartbreaking to think that a missed deadline or some other miscommunication will stand between a student and their education.”  

In addition, HFI has organized a panel discussion on how to tackle the application process for the families of Deer Park Middle Magnet School.  The panel discussion was originally scheduled to take place in October but it was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  

The panel will bring together representatives from some of the most renowned arts high schools where the students will submit applications  These panelists know what it takes for a student to be accepted into one of their schools and to be a successful in their programs. Panelists include Rebecca Ingham-Walker, Magnet Coordinator at Landsdowne HIgh School; Natalie Ware, Chair of the Theatre Department at Carver Center for Arts & Technology and Becky Mossing, Musical Theatre Instructor and Program Manager for the Theatre Department at Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA).  HFI will update the online Guide for Students with the information and tips the experts share at the panel discussion.

HFI will follow up the panel discussion by helping the students prepare and refine their audition pieces.  In December,  HFI has arranged for students from Deer Park Middle Magnet School to work with cast members from the Tony award winning musical Billy Elliot before student auditions in January.  Waxter notes, “the instruction from a professional provides invaluable guidance for these students.  This is a wonderful example of how HFI is able to provide access to the Hippodrome Theatre and the arts through an educational program.”