Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School (East & West Campuses)
Mission
To educate each student according to age and development so that learning and growth are united;
To integrate the developing mind and body of the student through academics and the performing arts and sciences;
To ensure each student's excellence in core and academic skills;
To awaken and preserve the spirit of our students through the visual and digital arts, vocal arts, instrumental music, creative writing, classical ballet, foreign language and innovations in the field of science, all intertwined with technology; and
To nourish this spirit and curiosity so that students continue to flourish long after the end of formal training.
Points Of Pride
- Recognized as a Top 10 Pennsylvania Charter Elementary School, 2021, U.S. News
- Philadelphia Performing Arts is one of the only K-12 schools in the city of Philadelphia. Students remain enrolled through 12th grade once accepted and do not need to reapply each year.
- Recognized as a High Academic Growth School on Great Philly Schools
- The arts immersive curriculum offers every student in Kindergarten through 4th grade additional classes each week in classical ballet, vocal, violin, science lab, visual arts, creative writing, and French. In 5th Grade, students select 2 of these courses (including theatre and digital design) to focus on before selecting a major to pursue from 6th-12th grade.
- Apple has chosen Philadelphia Performing Arts as one of only 12 schools around the world to be featured on the company's website. (View the video here)
- Official sized swimming pool on location at the East Campus.
Admissions Policy
Our admissions process is conducted through a lottery system. The application deadline to be included in the lottery for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year is January 20th.
The lottery will take place on February 4, 2026. Families will be notified of application status on February 6, 2026.
Please note: Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old by September 1, 2026 to be eligible to apply for the 2026-2027 school year.
To view a complete list of important dates click HERE
To read and view the admissions policies and guidelines click HERE.
Accreditations and Honors
Philadelphia Performing Arts was awarded the largest Charter in the city of Philadelphia with 2500 students in Kindergarten-12th gradePhiladelphia Performing Arts is an Apple Distinguished School, based on the school's integration of Apple technology into the students' learning experience.
In 2004 and 2009, Performing Arts was the only charter in Philadelphia to be renewed without any recommendations.
In September 2012, the school was awarded a $1.5 million grant from Philadelphia School Partnership for the purpose of duplicating the String Theory model.
Hours of Operation
| Sun | - |
| Mon | 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Tues | 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Wed | 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Thur | 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Fri | 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM |
| Sat | - |
