Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts

Posted: September 5, 2023

This school sees itself as wonderful and accommodating, especially to special ed kids. As a kid in special ed myself, I do not feel welcome or accommodated for in class. Teachers and my own case worker has misread my I.E.P multiple times. I have asked for changes that are allowed on my I.E.P with no response. I struggle with anxiety, depression, and a few other problems. This school has not done anything to help me be able to learn while dealing with these problems and instead punishes students for having mental illnesses. The academic support teachers and case managers are not up to their job at all. One particular teacher has made me and other students have mental breakdowns and cry, then takes personal offense when we react to his harshness towards us. Only one of the teachers in that class is actually good for the job. My case worker has also made me cry multiple times. The administration in this school, the special ed teachers, and the way the school is run has lead me in the last years (and getting worse this year, my senior year) to be more depressed than I ever have. The only comfort I have in the school is my friend who is also a student. I trust none of the teachers, especially the ones assigned to be helping me. In my mind I can easily make comparisons of this school to a comical asylum. The only reason I haven't chosen to leave is because the students are accepting, unlike in any other school in the area. My last school I was bullied harshly and honestly I would rather deal with being called derogatory names 50 times a day than what I am dealing with now when it comes to the adults in this school.

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: September 5, 2023

Posted: June 17, 2020

This school is honestly a blessing. As someone who had previously gone to public school, Charter Arts truly makes me feel at home compared to my old school. The teachers care about the students, the student body is overall so kind and welcoming, the curriculum is good, the art classes are great, and I honestly think this school saved me. I couldn’t be more grateful to go to a school like this. Of course, there are issues, and other students may have different experiences than me, but personally, I love it here.

Posted: June 17, 2020

Posted: June 17, 2020

Posted: June 17, 2020

The people who attend this school With me are ver kind. Even the more rude and disrespectful kids aren’t nearly as rude as those in the public school I previously attended. It’s honestly one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever been.

Posted: June 17, 2020

Posted: June 17, 2020

Posted: June 17, 2020

I have to stay neutral on this one because to be completely honest, I don’t see any bullying happening in the school. Of course it could be that I just don’t come across it or that my friends and I aren’t victims but I really don’t think most kids in the school have come across a bully in Charter Arts.

Posted: October 20, 2014

I enjoyed my education at Charter Arts as I was able to spend time with passionate students and teachers who understood my love for my art as well as my core classes. All of my teachers are hard working and passionate about the subject they teach. The only disappointment I have experienced is the administration. They become very frantic at simple issues. If you are having a problem at the school, it is best to go to your guidance counselor and they will fix it quickly. Although I am not going to be pursuing my art in the future, I am glad I attended this school and I'm very happy with all the opportunities it has brought me.

Posted: March 27, 2014

I am a sophomore at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts(Charts) and I must say, I have had a wonderful experience. Since I transferred to Charts, my average grades have gone up two letter marks, thanks to the fantastic teachers. The staff, both in arts and academics, are dedicated and enthusiastic, and motivate each individual to express themselves in positive ways, and strive for greatness in more than just their arts. Charter Arts, contrary to popular belief, DOES indeed have academic courses that are required for graduation, and are intellectually stimulating and informative. The over qualified staff keep students in line, and help to prepare them for the real world. I love my school, and would never even dream of going back to my old school. In fact, I have nightmares about it!

Posted: March 6, 2014

My daughter is a freshman this year and absolutely loves her new school! She is finally able to be herself without the fear of being judged or bullied. She loves the theater department and is also taking AP courses that are very challenging, but she has been balancing both very well. I would encourage parents of children who are interested in the arts to look into this school- you will be glad you did!

Posted: December 16, 2013

My school could improve on how academics are taught, but it is hard because many of the students have not received the attention they need to thrive in school. Many students are behind, they come from surrounding schools that never challenged them therefor this school has to catch them up, and it becomes difficult to pay attention to the advanced students. I personally am in the theatre program, it is very rigorous, and after only one year I have learned more than I ever have in any of the classes that I have taken in Philadelphia or New York.

Posted: October 29, 2013

lvpa- is where my student attends and the school has poor teachers, poor leadership and lots of criminal conduct with the kids bringing drugs to the school and the teachers think just because they are hired there that they dont have any rules either. They curse infront of the students yet expect for children not to curse. Just an example. You ask for certain allegations to be investigated regarding your child and the principal herself doesn't even have all the facts or info they just repeat what the teacher wants done to the student like the teacher is always right and never wrong. Also, how fair is it that when you try to list a complaint to a superintendent there is non because the schools principal doesnt report to a superintendent she reports to a school board which consists of the very teachers that are on the complaint list...my advise...STAY CLEAR OF THIS SCHOOL they will make a case out of your child if they dont like them.

Posted: August 31, 2013

Just makes sense that the students in this school test higher in English and Writing rather than in Math and Science. It is an arts school, therefore the majority of the students would be right-brained people. If a student's goal is to go into liberal arts or performance, then this would be a good fit. If your goal is for total college-prep, why go to an Arts school?

Posted: June 5, 2013

I attended this school a year ago and can say that although I had fun I have been crushed in college. I was so unprepared. Fun and acceptance should not have been my guide, but academics. I was warned but did not really want to work hard in high school. Many of my LVPA friends are feeling the same and some are not going back to college either by choice or could not make it.

Posted: June 2, 2013

THe science and honor's programs are a joke. They would not be be considered academic level anywhere else. There are no labs in science classes, the foreign language teachers do not know the language and few courses actually use books. The arts programs are based on who gives $ and favoritism more than talent. Look deep before you go.

Posted: January 8, 2013

I am a current freshman theatre major and this school is absolutely perfect. a lot of people believe that LVPA has horrible academics, but the truth is I would be getting worse academics if I was still going to Freedom in the bethlehem area school district. Lvpa is just an amazing experience and everyone really wants to be here, and nobody is being forced to go, unlike at the regular public schools. The theatre program is absolutely wonderful and is much better than the community theatre classes I have been taking for 9 years. I have gained so much experience just from being here half a year and i would never have stayed at freedom even if my life had depended on it. There is no bullying and everyone is welcome here. The type of people at lvpa get bullied in regular schools and this is a safe haven for all types of people. most of my best friends are gay and they are loved just the same. It's just amazing and anybody who looks down on lvpa is hated by me because this school is the best thing thats happened to everyone who attends it.

Posted: December 29, 2012

Going to LVPA (or now known as the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts) has truly changed my life. The school has provided me with so many opportunities that have allowed me to grow not only as a student and artist, but as a person. These teachers genuinely love their job and would do anything for their students. Of course, if a student isn't putting in any effort towards their studies, they will not succeed, just like in any other school. However, I have found during my time at at this school, that most kids try their hardest. The environment is so encouraging; students will help each other, teachers give their freetime to help tutor, and the learning process is fun and creative. Although we have been given a bad reputation for our academics in the past, the truth is that they couldn't be more wrong. The academics are always on par with the art classes, if not better. In fact, I came here partially because the academics were better than my home school! I hope to get into either Yale University or Princeton University, and I couldn't be happier with my choice of going to LVPA. And, if it weren't for LVPA, I don't think I would have found the ambition to set those goals.

Posted: December 28, 2012

LVPA has had a bad reputation academically in the past, but let's be realistic. The school is only 10 years old. In the realm of schools nationwide, it is still a baby. In the last few years, however, LVPA has intentionally fought to change that reputation. An influx of new, highly qualified teachers has brought LVPA's academics to a whole new level. If you look at their test scores, they are consistently scoring higher than Bethlehem's public schools. Since the school is so small, it is also less likely your child will fall through the cracks. The teachers work hard to monitor each child's progress and catch any potential problems. However, like any school, your child's academics will be what they make of it to some degree. If a student refuses the help offered to them, of course he or she won't lexcel. But if your student is curious and hard-working, the teachers at LVPA will use that to push them to new levels. This is a great school, and my child is lucky to be there.