Creative and Performing Arts

School Overview
The **Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)**, located at 901 S. Broad St., is a prestigious magnet school in the Philadelphia School District that serves as a hub for artistic excellence and academic rigor. Established in 1978, the school is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the arts, offering intensive training in various disciplines including theater, dance, music (instrumental and vocal), visual arts, and creative writing. Because it is a city-wide magnet school, admission is highly competitive and based on auditions, portfolios, and academic achievement, drawing students from all across Philadelphia who are dedicated to honing their craft.

Beyond its specialized artistic curriculum, CAPA is known for maintaining high academic standards, ensuring that students are prepared for both collegiate conservatory programs and traditional university settings. The school’s environment is deeply collaborative, often described as a close-knit community where students perform regularly in the building's professional-grade theater and galleries. By integrating professional-level arts training with a comprehensive college-preparatory education, CAPA has earned a reputation for producing well-rounded graduates who have gone on to achieve success on Broadway, in major orchestras, and across various professional creative industries.
743
Total Students
37.9
Full-Time Teachers
19.6
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Creative and Performing Arts
Demographic Student Count
White192
Hispanic94
Black368
Asian46
Two or More42
Pacific Islander1
  • Black
    368 (49.5 %)
  • White
    192 (25.8 %)
  • Hispanic
    94 (12.7 %)
  • Asian
    46 (6.2 %)
  • Two or More
    42 (5.7 %)
  • Pacific Islander
    1 (0.1 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: No
District: Philadelphia City SD
Phone: (215)400-8140
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 743
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 37.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 19.6
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Grade 9 186
Grade 10 188
Grade 11 176
Grade 12 193

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Creative and Performing Arts
Grade Student Count
Grade 9186
Grade 10188
Grade 11176
Grade 12193
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Creative and Performing Arts
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female58078.1%
Male16321.9%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)