Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy

www.summbears.net

Charter School 194 Students

High School 7th - 12th

School Overview

Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy, located in Tuolumne, California, is a specialized educational program operating under the Summerville Union High School District. The academy is designed for students who have a passion for the arts, offering a curriculum that integrates rigorous academic standards with intensive training in visual and performing disciplines. By providing a creative-centered environment, the school aims to foster artistic growth while ensuring students remain on track to meet their graduation and college-readiness requirements.

The academy emphasizes a hands-on, project-based approach that encourages self-expression, critical thinking, and collaboration. Through its focus on the arts, the school seeks to engage students who thrive in non-traditional classroom settings, helping them build professional skills, artistic portfolios, and a sense of community. As part of the broader Summerville district, Connections provides a unique pathway for students to cultivate their talents within a supportive, inclusive educational framework.

194

Total Students

9.5

Full-Time Teachers

20.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

18.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	125
Hispanic	40
Black	1
Asian	5
Two or More	22
Pacific Islander	1

White
125 (64.4 %)
Hispanic
40 (20.6 %)
Two or More
22 (11.3 %)
Asian
5 (2.6 %)
Black
1 (0.5 %)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Summerville Union High
Phone:	(209)928-4228
Website:	http://www.summbears.net
Grade Range:	7th - 12th
Total Students:	194
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	9.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	20.5
NSLP Participation:¹	N/A
Qualified Free Lunch:	32
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	4

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 7 15

Grade 8 15

Grade 9 47

Grade 10 48

Grade 11 36

Grade 12 33