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News & Information
Pennsylvania-based Charter High School Breaks the Ice with Nation's first Academic Figure Skating Program
December 21, 2005
While many teens see high school as an endless journey, students at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts (LVPA) are literally skating their way toward graduation. This fall marked the initiation of LVPA's Figure Skating Program-the first academic and artistic figure skating program in the United States offered by a public high school.
The program provides students with a tuition-free education designed to prepare them for careers in figure skating. Those careers include theater, coaching, and, for some, Olympic competition. Students undergo rigorous figure skating training while studying under a full academic load. They spend half the school day training in the rink at the Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem and the other half in the classroom at the school.
Since LVPA is a charter school, tuition is paid by tax dollars rather than personal funds. Pennsylvania charter schools are public schools that provide educational choice for families without tuition costs that are required by private schools. Charter schools typically have a special focus such as character education, college prep, the arts, etc.
"The Figure Skating Program provides an opportunity for talented skaters who otherwise would be unable to afford private training," said LVPA Superintendent Dr. Thomas Lubben. "This program will launch some students from challenged socio-economic backgrounds into careers that otherwise would have only been a dream."
The program has attracted some well known personalities. National judge and referee and Past Chair of several United States Figure Skating Association committees Bill Fitzpatrick is the program director. He is assisted by renowned coach Laura Corley.
"Students bring their biggest dreams and visions to the program and LVPA helps makes their desires a reality," said Fitzpatrick. "I am thrilled that this unique opportunity has become available to Pennsylvania students and I hope that it serves as a model for other schools throughout the United States."
The program is not designed for beginners, but for students who have established a strong track in figure skating. Those who wish to join the Figure Skating Program must audition to determine if they qualify.
Unlimited opportunity lies ahead for those who qualify. Perhaps the next "Star of Bethlehem" will be seen rising over the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts.
Celebrating its third year, LVPA offers a rigorous academic curriculum in addition to extensive study in theater, dance, instrumental and vocal music, visual arts, and the Figure Skating Program. The school is located at 675 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA. More information can be found at www.lpva.org or by calling 610-868-2971.
More than 50,000 students are enrolled in Pennsylvania's 114 charter schools throughout the Commonwealth. These schools include a host of distinctive missions: early childhood enrichment, specific academic disciplines, high achievement, core knowledge, technology, project based learning, special needs education, gifted education, community service and more. For more information on charter school opportunities within Pennsylvania, log on to www.pachartercoaltion.com.
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