Every year, eighth graders across Baltimore City are faced with a harrowing decision: which high school to attend. With this decision come many factors: academic opportunities, extracurricular activities, location, and more.
Although most public high schools in Baltimore City offer similar classes and programs—notably, sports teams and seven-hour school days—Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) is unique. BSA “seeks to prepare the next generation of the creative workforce by providing inspiring arts and academic training to high school students”, as stated in the school’s official mission statement.
The one-of-a-kind classes and experiences that BSA provides attract hundreds of students each year who audition for their intended art discipline. As the class of 2030 entered BSA in late August of this year, they found themselves grappling with the commitment and dedication needed to thrive at the BSA.
Many middle schoolers expect high school to be like “High School Musical,” with stereotypical friend groups, football games, and homecoming. “I think of the normal high school experience as getting out early…” freshman actor Amaya Standish added when describing her idea of a “traditional” high school experience.
Eight-hour school days are one of many factors that make BSA different from other schools in Baltimore City. Many freshmen have found adjusting to the longer schedules to be difficult. “Since our days are longer, [my friends and I] don’t really get to hang out as much, and we’re also really tired . . . I don’t really have time”, explained freshman dancer London Stewart.
In addition to a loss of free time, incoming freshmen have also had to adjust to playing sports outside of school, since BSA does not offer any athletic programming. Ayah Tajdar, a freshman vocalist, described how now that she goes to BSA, she has to play her sport, squash, outside of school. “It’s a racket sport, and I play it at the squash courts near [BSA]. It’s about a 10-minute walk”.
Standish, on the other hand, decided to stop playing her sport completely. “I played soccer for all of middle school and was actually offered a spot on a soccer team for high school. But because I chose to go to BSA, I ended up sacrificing playing soccer, so I don’t play anymore”.
For others, the decision came easier. Alice Geczi, a freshman in the film department, described how this was the case for her, as she isn’t very interested in sports at all.
While freshmen are now coming to terms with the sacrifices they have to make in order to attend a school like BSA, some say they have no regrets. “I think this was the best decision I could’ve made . . . acting is where I’ve wanted to be,” said Standish. Stewart, like many other freshmen, feels the same: “I was just thinking about how much I love to dance, and that’s why I came,” she said.
BSA principal Rosiland Cauthen mirrors these statements, expressing these ideas by saying, “We are a community of overachievers, and I mean that in a good way!”
Within their first month at BSA, many freshmen have also noticed the values and standards that the BSA community holds itself to. The sense of community BSA invests in has already made a lasting impression on new students and confirmed their decision to attend.
“Everyone is here for a reason, and everyone wants to be here,” explained freshman actor Nora Kanangy. She feels that her and her peers’ dedication to their art forms has created an inclusive yet motivating work environment that pushes students to their fullest potential.
This feeling of community is not only felt throughout the acting department, but throughout the entirety of the school. Stewart has felt this throughout her academic and art classes, describing how she feels that “Nobody judges you [here], and . . . if it were a regular school there’d be more judgement for sure”.
Cauthen also finds community to be of utmost importance. “We encourage each other to be our best selves in a learning environment that is safe, supportive and vibrant!”
In all, the choice to attend BSA can come with some personal sacrifices. But the sense of community and the artistic and academic challenges that BSA provides for its students are immensely impactful. This year’s freshmen have found ways to adapt to the challenges and sacrifices of attending BSA, and by doing so, they have experienced the elements of BSA that make it so unique within the first couple of weeks.
To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.
