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VPA Endorsement
Requirements


 

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The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Magnet Program at North Port High School provides ALL students with the opportunity to experience arts education, and offers progressive, highly specialized, intensive training for students who possess special talents in the visual and performing arts areas of dance,  music, theatre, and visual arts. The experiences and training provided by the VPA Magnet Program are designed to enrich and enliven the lives of all students and NPHS community members while enabling the serious student of the arts to prepare for future study and professional aspirations.

 

All students are encouraged to participate in VPA courses, regardless of prior experience or ability. Students seeking increased rigor in the intermediate and advanced level VPA courses are placed by audition/portfolio review or in-class assessment. These may be students who have prior experience in their VPA discipline, are considering a career in the arts field, wish to major or minor in the arts in college, or consider the arts a personal passion. Students who are new to NPHS VPA classes should complete the VPA application and placement audition process. All students who participate in VPA courses are encouraged to pursue a VPA graduation endorsement.

Endorsement Levels

VPA Endorsement

6 or 7 VPA course credits earned within a discipline.

VPA Endorsement with Merit

8 or 9 VPA course credits earned within a discipline.

VPA Endorsement with Distinction

10 or more VPA course credits earned within a discipline.

VPA Endorsement Requirements

  • Students must apply for the VPA Graduation Endorsement no later than the end of quarter 3 of their graduating year.

  • Students must earn a 2.5 unweighted GPA by the end of quarter 3 of their graduating year.

  • Students must take at least 6 credits within the endorsement track. At least two thirds of the total courses must pertain to the student’s VPA track.

  • Students must take at least one course in their VPA track their graduating year as assigned by their discipline’s lead teacher.

  • Students may earn higher recognition for VPA achievement with additional course work within their discipline or extracurricular activities related to their discipline at the lead teacher’s discretion.

  • The endorsement may be awarded to transfer students with 2 fewer credits required per attainment level if the student did not have the opportunity to take courses in their chosen discipline at their prior school and at the discretion of the discipline’s lead teacher.

Acting
Lead Teacher: Ms. Dena Henderson

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Theatre I

Theatre II

Theatre III Honors

Acting I

Acting II

Acting III Honors

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Theatre IV Honors

Acting IV Honors

Musical Theatre I, II, III Honors

Chorus I, II, III, IV Honors

Vocal Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors

Vocal Techniques I, II, III, IV Honors

Dance Techniques I, II, III Honors, IV Honors Technical Theatre Design and Production I, II, III, IV

Theatrical Directing and Stage Management I, II

Voice and Diction 

Band
Lead Teacher: Mrs. Lorianne Alegria

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Band I

Band II

Band III

Band IV

Band V Honors

Music Theory I

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Band VI Honors

Jazz Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors

Music Theory II Honors

Music Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors (Commercial Music)

Instrumental Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors (Adv Percussion)

Instrumental Techniques I, II, III, IV (Int. Percussion)

Guitar I

Keyboard I

Orchestra I

Chorus I

Vocal Techniques I

Chorus
Lead Teacher: Mr. David Sommer

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Chorus I

Chorus II 

Chorus III

Chorus IV

Keyboard I

Music Theory I

Vocal Techniques I

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Chorus IV, V Honors, VI Honors

Vocal Techniques, II, III, IV Honors*

​Vocal Ensemble I, II
Music Theory II Honors*
Voice and Diction
Musical Theatre I
Band I, II
Jazz Ensemble I, II
Instrumental Ensemble I, II
Music Techniques I, II
Guitar I
Orchestra I, II

*Strongly encouraged

Commercial Music
Lead Teacher: Ms. Shannon Clark

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Music Ensemble I

Music Ensemble II

Music Ensemble III

Jazz I

Jazz II

Jazz III

And one of the following:

Instrumental Techniques I (Percussion)

Guitar I (Guitar & Electric Bass)

Keyboarding I (Piano)

Orchestra I (Upright Bass)

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Music Ensemble IV
Jazz Ensemble IV Honors
Band I, II, III, IV, V Honors, VI Honors
Music Theory I, II Honors
Instrumental Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors (Percussion)
Instrumental Techniques I, II, III, IV Honors (Percussion)
Guitar I
Keyboard I
Orchestra I, II, III, IV, V Honors, VI Honors
Chorus I, II, III, IV Honors
Vocal Ensemble I, II
Vocal Techniques I, II, III, IV Honors

Dance
Lead Teacher: Mrs. Heather Helson & Mrs. Michelle Slay

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Dance Techniques I

Dance Techniques II

Dance Techniques III Honors

Ballet I

Ballet II

Ballet III 

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Dance Techniques IV Honors

Ballet IV Honors

Dance Repertory I, II, III Honors, IV Honors 

Musical Theatre
Lead Teacher: Ms. Dena Henderson

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Voice and Diction

Musical Theatre I

Musical Theatre II

Vocal Ensemble I

Vocal Ensemble II

Vocal Ensemble III 

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Musical Theatre III

Vocal Ensemble IV Honors

Theatre I, II, III Honors, IV Honors

Acting I, II, III Honors, IV Honors

Music Theory I, II Honors

Chorus I, II, III, IV Honors

Vocal Techniques I, II, III, IV Honors

Dance Techniques I, II, III Honors, IV Honors

Theatrical Directing and Stage Management I, II

Technical Theatre Design and Production I, II, III, IV 

Orchestra
Lead Teacher: Dr. Laura Hill

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Orchestra I

Orchestra II

Orchestra III

Orchestra IV

Instrumental Ensemble I (Orchestra)
Music Theory I

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

​Orchestra V Honors, VI Honors
Instrumental Ensemble II, III, IV Honors (Orchestra)
Music Theory II Honors
Jazz Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors (Upright Bass)
Music Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors
(Commercial Music- Upright Bass)
Keyboard I
Guitar I
Band I
Chorus I
Vocal Techniques I

Percussion
Lead Teacher: Mrs. Lorianne Alegria

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Instrumental Techniques I (Percussion Class) Instrumental Techniques II (Percussion Class) Instrumental Techniques III (Percussion Class) Instrumental Ensemble I (Percussion Class)

Instrumental Ensemble II (Percussion Class) Instrumental Ensemble III (Percussion Class) 

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Instrumental Techniques IV Honors
Instrumental Ensemble IV Honors
Band I, II, III, IV, V Honors, VI Honors
Jazz Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors
Music Theory I, II Honors
Music Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors (Commercial Music)
Guitar I
Keyboard I
Orchestra I
Chorus I
Vocal Techniques I

Technical Theatre
Lead Teacher: Ms. Dena Henderson

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

Technical Theatre I

Technical Theatre II

Technical Theatre III

Costumes, Make-Up and Hair Scenery and Props

Theatrical Directing and Stage Management I 

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Technical Theatre IV Honors

Voice and Diction

Musical Theatre I, II, III

Vocal Ensemble I, II, III, IV Honors

Theatre I, II, III Honors, IV Honors

Acting I, II, III Honors, IV Honors

Dance Techniques I, II, III Honors, IV Honors Theatrical Directing and Stage Management II 

Visual Arts
Lead Teacher: Mrs. Chloe DuBois

Required Courses

Includes courses generally taken grades 9-11

2-D/ 3-D Art or 2D Art Honors (Full Year) Ceramics I or 3D Art (Full Year)

Drawing I

AP Studio Art 

Supplemental Courses

Includes grade 12 as assigned by discipline lead teacher and supporting course work for higher attainment levels

Ceramics II, III Honors

Drawing II

AP Art History

Portfolio  

Thank you to our Sponsors

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North Port High School

6400 West Price Blvd.

North Port, Florida 34291

941-423-8558

Contact Us

Heather Nelson, VPA Chair

heather.nelson@sarasotacountyschools.net

Ryan Oliver, Performing Arts Center Manager

ryan.oliver@sarasotacountyschools.net

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