The Chicago Academy for the Arts (The Academy) is a nationally recognized independent high school for the performing and visual arts.   Designated a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center, The Academy offers students the opportunity to engage in a unique co-curricular program: rigorous, college-preparatory academic classes and professional-level arts training in the context of an unparalleled school culture. The Academy’s school day consists of a modified block schedule of three 75-minute blocks of academic courses and a 45-minute flex period followed by a three-plus hour immersion in a student's chosen arts department: Dance, Media Arts (filmmaking, animation, creative writing), Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts. At The Chicago Academy for the Arts, young artists master the skills necessary for academic success, critical thought, and creative expression.     The Chicago Academy for the Arts is an Illinois 501(c)3 organization. Click here to learn more or donate.

The Chicago Academy for the Arts

The Chicago Academy for the Arts (The Academy) is a nationally recognized independent high school for the performing and visual arts.   Designated...

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By Tim Fish (National Association of Independent Schools New View EDU podcast, September 26, 2023)

LISTEN: Jason Patera on Seven Lessons for School Leadership

"Human relationships first. Academic study and arts training are co-curricular. Environment matters. Relentlessly make space for the things that matter most. Compliance is not the same thing as magic. Process matters and so does product. These are just a few of the ideas Jason Patera is obsessed with, which he brings daily to his work as the head of the Chicago Academy for the Arts."

By Heidi Stevens (Tribune News Service, Oct 28, 2022)

Column: ‘We’re talking superhero-level empathy.’ After brain tumor surgery, Chicago head of school heals from community’s embrace.

by: Sean Lewis, Gaynor Hall (WGN, May 21, 2022)

Chicago Academy for the Arts Celebrates 40 Years

Chicago Academy for the Arts Spring Festival returns to in-person screenings after two year hiatus

Recap of National and State-wide stories

The announcement of the Chicago Academy for the Arts Spring Media Festival was shared with more than 200 regional and national news outlets including Entertainment Guide Illinois, Illinois Lifestyle News, Illinois Free Press, Huffington Post, NPR national wire distribution service. Notably, we were featured in art-focused media outlets deemed critical to our mission including Global Culture Review, Arts, Society, & Me, and Online Culture Channel. Education and educator-resource media outlets, including World Education Report and Today In Education, shared our news, too. Both the event and Chicago Academy for the Arts’ mission were featured in select Culture, Society, and Lifestyle media outlets (including Culture News Today, African American News Today, and Hispanic News) and movie and film industry media outlets (including AccessHollywood.com, Academy Awards News, Movie & Theater News Today, America Radio News Network) We were featured prominently in Facebook, Google, and Yahoo news feeds leading up to the event. A full report can be found here.

by Janaya Greene (Chicago Reader, March 28, 2022)

Chicago Academy for the Arts students debut TV pilot at Music Box Theatre

by: Kori Rumore (Chicago Tribune, August 27, 2021)

Media Coverage

LISTEN: Jason Patera on Seven Lessons for School Leadership

Column: ‘We’re talking superhero-level empathy.’ After brain tumor surgery, Chicago head of school heals from community’s embrace.

Chicago Academy for the Arts Celebrates 40 Years

Chicago Academy for the Arts Spring Festival returns to in-person screenings after two year hiatus

Chicago Academy for the Arts students debut TV pilot at Music Box Theatre

Kanye West’s Chicago: 25 formative locations around the city and suburbs

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