LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts and Performing Arts
Known officially as H.S. 485, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts and Performing Arts is one of the specialized high schools in New York. The school was formed after the merger of two sister schools with performing arts curricula in New York City. The sister schools were the High School of Performing Arts and the High School of Music and Arts.
The High School of Music and Arts, initiated by Mayor LaGuardia, was established in 1936. The public alternative high school was considered among the biggest accomplishments of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during his administration. The school catered to students of New York City with talents and skills in performing arts. Aside from helping the students pursue their dreams in performing arts careers, the school also provided full academic instructional program.
Meanwhile, High School of Music Arts was created in 1948 to provide performing arts training to students who wish to improve their performance arts skills in preparation for professional careers in drama, dance and music.
In 1962, the schools were formed into one organization prior to its merger in 1984. During the merger of the two performing arts schools in New York, they both left their old buildings to occupy the new building in Lincoln Center. The new building situated at 100 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City includes state-of-the art theatre and concert hall. It was named in honor of Mayor LaGuardia. LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts and Performing Arts is simply known as LaGuardia Arts.
LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts and Performing Arts is among the specialized high schools in New York City. The funding of the school including its maintenance is provided through the Hecht Calandra Act established by the New York State Legislature. Aside from the LaGuardia Arts, the provision is also applied to other schools such as Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn Technical High School and Bronx Science. These schools including the LaGuardia Arts are the four original specialized high schools in New York.
Prior to the merger of the two schools, High School of Performing Arts and High School of Music and Arts were notable specialized public high schools in New York. Each of their campus sites was found in Manhattan.
High School of Music and Arts was prominent for having a campus building with Gothic-style architecture. The old building of High School of Performing Arts, more popularly known as PA, is now utilized as the site of annual celebration of PA alumni. Likewise, it is now named Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis of International Careers after extensive renovation on its interior section due to fire damage, which occurred in 1988.
Moreover, the two legacy schools and the LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts and Performing Arts are notable for producing alumni that have become successful in various fields of performing arts. Liza Minelli and Al Pacino are among the high-profile celebrities that are alumni of High School of Performing Arts.
