Arts & Communication Magnet Academy

Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
Address
11375 SW Center Street
Beaverton, (Washington County), Oregon 97005
United States
Coordinates 45°29′39″N 122°47′36″W / 45.494207°N 122.793355°W / 45.494207; -122.793355Coordinates: 45°29′39″N 122°47′36″W / 45.494207°N 122.793355°W / 45.494207; -122.793355
Information
Type Public
Opened 1992
School district Beaverton School District
Principal Bjorn Paige[1]
Grades 6-12[1]
Number of students 805[1]
Color(s) Maroon and black   
Website http://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/acma/
The school's Performing Arts Center

Arts & Communication Magnet Academy (ACMA) is a publicly funded arts magnet school in Beaverton, Oregon, United States. A member of the International Network of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education, ACMA is the only stand-alone arts magnet school in the state of Oregon. ACMA is an award-winning school of application and draws students, grades 6 through 12, to participate in a rigorous academic program integrated in specialized performing, visual and communication arts.

The school opened in 1992, in facilities which previously served as a Beaverton School District elementary school, C.E. Mason Elementary,[2] opened in 1949.[3] It was originally called the Arts & Communications High School.[2] The school is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2020, following the passage of a bond measure in May 2014.[4]

Academics

In 2008, 100% of the school's seniors received a high school diploma. Of 60 students, 60 graduated and none dropped out.[5][6]

The school received a silver ranking from U.S. News & World Report's 2010 "America's Best High Schools" survey.[7][8]

Theatre company

Taking a prominent role in the school since the construction and completion of a new Performing Arts Center in early 2010, ACMA's theatre company has been widely acclaimed as one of the best in the school district. Headed by award-winning actor Joel Morello, the company has put on such plays and musicals as Bullshot Crummond, The Apple Tree, Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Spoon River Anthology, The Good Doctor, Dancing at Lughnasa, Alice in Wonderland, A Greater Tuna, Celebration, The Fantasticks, Little Shop of Horrors, an acclaimed production of Godspell, which was sponsored by The Oregonian, and original verbatim stage adaptations of The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations. Godspell was the first production that was involved with ACMA's Theatre Giving Program, and a percentage of its profits benefitted the Portland organization Outside In.

Plays are not always necessarily produced by the department head; different theatrical artists in the community are given opportunities to direct and cast the show as they please. In addition, the company produces an annual One Act Festival featuring student written and directed work and starring middle school students with little to no experience in the program thus far, as an introduction to how the shows work. For the 2013-2014 season, guest directors directed Our Town in the fall and Oliver! in the spring. In winter 2014, an original staged production of Coraline written, directed and produced by ACMA students graced the mainstage. Besides other student written works, such as the ACMA Zone (one-acts based on the Twilight Zone) and ACMA Live (based on Saturday Night Live) the spring 2015 production was Pride and Prejudice, directed by David Sikking.

Jazz orchestra

The award-winning ACMA jazz program consists of the beginning level Concert Band, the intermediate level Symphonic Band, and the advanced level Jazz Orchestra. The jazz program is currently under the direction of Conte Bennett.[9] Previous program directors include Thara Memory and Robert Crowell. ACMA jazz bands perform and compete annually in music festivals across the Pacific Northwest.

Dance West company

ACMA students comprise Dance West, a pre-professional dance program. Company repertoire includes pieces based in classical ballet, jazz, historical modern, innovative hip-hop, Broadway, concert tap, and pieces that range across all genres, taught by master teachers and guest artists.

School newspaper

ACMA students previously ran a school newspaper named The Savant,[10] which covered the school's activities and news, along with the local Beaverton community. It was terminated at the beginning of the 2012–2013 school year.

Career pathways

  • Communications Arts
    • Moving Image Arts
    • Writing
  • Performing Arts
    • Dance
    • Music (Vocal or Instrumental)
    • Theatre
  • Visual Arts
    • Ceramics and Sculpture
    • Drawing and Painting
    • Photography

Notable alumni


References

  1. 1 2 3 "Oregon School Directory 2008-09" (PDF). Oregon Department of Education. p. 139. Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  2. 1 2 Gaynair, Gillian (December 2, 1998). "Changes challenge Beaverton's Arts & Communications High School". The Oregonian. p. MW1.
  3. ↑ Gunning, Paula (November 21, 1978). "Localities, persons inspire names of schools". The Oregonian. p. W2.
  4. ↑ Owen, Wendy (November 14, 2014). "Vose Elementary is first to be rebuilt with bond funds; ACMA is last". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  5. ↑ "State releases high school graduation rates". The Oregonian. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  6. ↑ "Oregon dropout rates for 2008". The Oregonian. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  7. ↑ "Best High Schools 2010". U.S. News & World Report. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  8. ↑ Graves, Bill (2010-01-15). "Nine Oregon high schools ranked among best in nation". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  9. ↑ "NW JAZZWORKS - for the ACMA Jazz band program". NW JazzWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22.
  10. ↑ "Savant Official Site". 2009-09-28. Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  11. ↑ Levy, Shawn (November 14, 2003). "Five questions: One actor's take on 'Elephant'". The Oregonian. Arts and Living section, p. 7.
  12. ↑ "Haruka Weiser remembered as passionate about life, dance, friends and family". The Oregonian. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Godspell". ACMA Theatre Company. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
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