Barbara Ingram School For the Arts

For aspiring young artists and dedicated students in Maryland seeking to blend a rigorous academic curriculum with intensive arts training, Barbara Ingram School For the Arts (BISFA) in Hagerstown, MD, stands as a beacon of creative and academic excellence. As a highly-rated public magnet high school, BISFA offers a unique educational experience designed to cultivate talent, foster creativity, and prepare students for success in both the arts and a wide range of collegiate and professional paths.

Since its opening in 2009, BISFA has provided an enriching environment where students can deeply immerse themselves in their chosen art form while pursuing a comprehensive college preparatory education. The school's mission is to provide "a rigorous, comprehensive, college preparatory curriculum rooted in intense, pre-professional training in the arts that encourages excellence and success in their personal development as students, artists, and cultural leaders." For families in Maryland looking for a specialized and supportive educational setting that truly champions the arts, BISFA offers an unparalleled opportunity.

Barbara Ingram School For the Arts is strategically located in the heart of downtown Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD 21740, USA. This central location places it within the city's vibrant arts and entertainment district, adjacent to the historic Maryland Theatre. The accessible setting makes it a convenient choice for students not only from Washington County but also from proximate Maryland counties and even areas in nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Being situated in downtown Hagerstown offers students unique opportunities for engagement with the local arts scene and community. The accessibility ensures that talented young artists from various regions can commute to pursue their passion, making BISFA a regional hub for arts education. While it doesn't have sports teams originating from the school, its downtown location means students have access to various community amenities and activities.

Barbara Ingram School For the Arts provides a dual curriculum encompassing both advanced academics and pre-professional arts training. Students apply and are accepted based on auditions or portfolio reviews in their chosen art discipline.

• Rigorous Academic Curriculum: All academic classes at BISFA are honors level, with a full complement of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and college preparatory, covering subjects such as:
  • English (Honors English 9-12, AP English Language, AP English Literature)
  • Math (Common Core Algebra I, Honors Geometry, Honors/Accelerated Math, Intro to Statistics, College Algebra, Honors Precalculus/Trig, AP Calculus)
  • Science (Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology)
  • Social Studies (Honors United States Studies II, Honors Government, AP Government, Honors World History, AP World, Honors Sociology, Honors Psychology)
  • World Languages (Honors Spanish, Honors French)
  • Additional required courses like Physical Education, Health/Life Skills, and Foundations of Technology.
• Pre-Professional Arts Majors: Students select one primary arts major for intensive study. The available majors include:
  • Dance: Offers a comprehensive program covering various dance techniques, performance, and choreography.
  • Instrumental Music: Focuses on developing skills in various instruments, music theory, and ensemble performance.
  • Vocal Music: Provides training in vocal technique, choral performance, and music theory.
  • Theatre: Encompasses acting, stagecraft, theater history, and performance.
  • Musical Theatre: Blends acting, singing, and dancing for stage productions.
  • Technical Theatre: Focuses on the behind-the-scenes aspects of theater, including lighting, sound, set design, and stage management.
  • Creative Writing: Develops skills in various forms of writing, including poetry, prose, and playwriting.
  • Visual Arts: Offers instruction in traditional media (drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photography) and newer forms like digital media and mixed media.
  • Computer Game Development & Animation: Focuses on the artistic and technical aspects of game design and animation.
  • Digital Communications (Photography & Cinematography): Explores visual storytelling through photography and filmmaking.
• Performance and Exhibition Opportunities: Students regularly perform in all-school musicals, concerts, dance recitals, and exhibitions, often utilizing the adjacent Maryland Theatre. These opportunities provide invaluable real-world experience.
• College and Career Readiness: The curriculum and faculty focus on preparing students not only for arts careers but also for higher education in any field. Many graduates go on to various colleges and careers outside the arts.
• Student Support Services: The school offers counseling and academic support to ensure student success.

Barbara Ingram School For the Arts stands out as a distinctive and highly regarded educational institution in Maryland due to several key features that contribute to its unique learning environment and the success of its students.

• Dual Emphasis on Arts and Academics: Unlike many schools, BISFA successfully integrates a rigorous, honors-level academic curriculum with intense, pre-professional arts training. This dual focus ensures students are well-rounded and prepared for diverse future paths, whether in the arts or other professions.
• Audition-Based Admission: Admission to BISFA is through a competitive audition or portfolio review process in the chosen arts discipline. This ensures that all students are highly motivated and passionate about their chosen art form, creating a vibrant and dedicated student body.
• Highly Qualified and Dedicated Faculty: The school boasts "great academic and arts teachers" who are praised for their "amazing dedication to their students." The faculty includes experienced educators and adjunct instructors who bring real-world expertise into the classroom.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities and Performance Venues: Located adjacent to the Maryland Theatre, students at BISFA utilize professional-level facilities, including The View Studio within The Maryland Theatre for daily instruction and the main stage for major productions like their Holiday Spectacular, Spring Musical, concerts, and recitals.
• Supportive Community for Artists: The school provides a unique environment where students who share a passion for the arts can "find themselves and do what they love with others who love it as well." This creates a sense of belonging and mutual encouragement that is vital for young artists.
• College Preparatory Focus: BISFA's curriculum aims to prepare students for college, with a high percentage of graduates attending universities across the country. The school works to instill the necessary skills for success in any career path, using the arts as a life-learning tool.
• Opportunities for Performance and Exhibition: Students regularly participate in all-school musicals (which have garnered significant local acclaim), concerts, dance recitals, and visual arts exhibitions, providing invaluable performance experience.
• Student Ambassador Program: BISFA fosters leadership and professionalism through programs like Student Ambassadors, who assist with school events, donor relations, and community outreach.

For more information about Barbara Ingram School For the Arts, including audition details, academic programs, or general inquiries, please use the contact information below.

Address: 7 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD 21740, USA

Phone: (301) 766-8840

For families in Hagerstown and across the broader Maryland region, Barbara Ingram School For the Arts represents an exceptional and unique educational opportunity for artistically inclined students. Its specialized dual curriculum, combining rigorous academics with pre-professional arts training, makes it an ideal environment for talented young individuals to flourish. Locals will find immense value in a public high school that not only prepares students for college with an honors-level curriculum but also provides unparalleled hands-on experience in various arts disciplines, often utilizing professional venues like The Maryland Theatre.

The school's commitment to nurturing a supportive and passionate community where students are encouraged to pursue their creative dreams is a significant draw. While some reviews mention social challenges, the overwhelming sentiment highlights the dedication of teachers and the transformative impact on students' artistic and personal development. For Maryland families seeking an education that truly recognizes and cultivates artistic talent alongside academic excellence, BISFA stands as a premier choice, right here in our community.

You can get a virtual look at the school's facilities and atmosphere by watching this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq_BX7SuACc) video.

Barbara Ingram School For the Arts

7 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD 21740, USA