SOUTH HADLEY — Three dance companies, dozens of performances and several arts festivals might sound like attractions in a cosmopolitan area, not a small school in South Hadley.
But at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, that lineup is just as important as math classes and SATs.
The 400-student school serves Grades 7 through 12. The school aims to provide students with a rigorous base to prepare them for college, while also fostering their creative talents in the realms of music, theater, dance and visual arts for technical theater, according to Head of School Scott Goldman.
Most graduates head to liberal arts colleges following their time at the PVPA, rather than ones that specialize in the performing arts, Goldman said.
At PVPA, students pick a specialty to focus on, though there’s opportunity to take classes in other disciplines. For example, the school uses dance, yoga and movement classes to fulfill the state physical education requirement.
And classes in any one discipline run deep. Students are required to take history, culture and theory classes for their respective disciplines.
“They’re not just performing, but they also understand where this dance piece emanated from,” Goldman said. “We wanted to make sure that anyone who was leaving PVPA could sit in on any audition and share and discuss their portfolio.”
The school has three dance companies, one in hip hop, another in modern and a third specializing in West African dance. There’s countless thesis shows, plays and other performances throughout the year.
PVPA is all about enabling students to find the “art inside” of them, Goldman said. But it also is a place where students are empowered and encouraged to be their true selves — where differences are embraced.
“PVPA really prides itself on being a very open, welcoming place,” he said.