SAN FERNANDO, Calif. — Being able to dance every day is probably something most teenagers would choose over sitting at a desk in a classroom. And for 16-year-old Gilbert Meza, being encouraged artistically at the ArTES Magnet School in San Fernando is what has transformed him from being an average student to one who excels in every one of his classes academically.

“I'm in honors algebra 2 right now. And then I take an AP US history class. And I’m in AP literature class,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert’s schedule includes alternate days of art classes and days of academic classes.

MORE EDUCATION STORIES:

“The opportunities at ArTES really allow me to develop and grow as an artist in that I have the opportunity to take different art classes and really express myself in different ways,” he said.

ArTES is a unique model of scholarship and arts education that joins together disciplines in an effort to break down barriers to learning.

Laura Jaeggi, the school’s Magnet Coordinator, says “Inspiring students to come here not only provides them with that rigorous academic program that they need to make sure that they're competitive in terms of college, but it also opens them up to the different artistic and cultural opportunities that are so important as well.”

ArTES was founded in 2011 by a team of  teachers seeking the autonomy to open an innovative, model arts school. As a part of LAUSD’s Public School of Choice reform measures, ArTES was approved to open as a teacher-led pilot school and given the autonomy to innovate and offer a first rate education in the arts.

In 2014, the district acknowledged the growing demand the school was generating, and it converted it to a magnet school, open to anyone living in the district’s enrollment zone. It's the first school in Los Angeles to be governed as an autonomous pilot school while enrolling as a magnet school.

ArTES teachers and trained artists work together to create engaging and rigorous lessons in English, math, science and social studies using arts projects to demonstrate learning. ArTES is the only high school in the East Valley that offers visual and performing arts.

While most arts magnet schools have long waiting list, Jaeggi says ArTES is challenged.

"We're trying to get a new students mainly because people just don't know the school even exists," Jaeggi said. “Even after eight years, we sort of fly under the radar quite a bit. Many people still think that we're part of the Glendale swap meet, or that we're just another business in this sort of little mini business park area.”

As the magnet coordinator, Jaeggi is tasked with recruiting and being a cheerleader - sometimes literally – for the school’s many attributes. But she says the best recruiting tool to draw new students is current students like Gilbert, who are benefiting from their experience here.

“Being around other artists is honestly really good because you get to feel each other's energy, specifically with dance. You get to be around people who actually care about what you're doing rather than just taking it for a class credit,” Gilbert said.

Through the collaboration of academics and arts, the ultimate goal here is to develop students into more well-rounded, more creative and more inspiring citizens. 

To find out more about ArTES Magnet High School: artesmagnet.org