Release Date: 1/13/12

Contact: Charles Herndon, 410-887-6111 Phyllis T. Reese, 410-887-5908

TOWSON, MD. - Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts has been selected as one of only six schools in the United States to receive a prestigious College Board Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts.

The annual award "recognizes and celebrates the achievements of six member institutions that have implemented an arts program that promotes student learning and creativity in exemplary and innovative ways."

One school from each of the College Board's six regions is awarded $3,500 to support the growth of the arts program. Patapsco was selected as the Middle States Regional recipient and will be recognized at the 2012 College Board Middle States Regional Forum at the Hilton Baltimore on Jan. 23.

In the award letter, the College Board said that it was very impressed with Patapsco's application," and that the school's arts program "is a testament to the kind of positive impact that high expectations for all students can have on their learning."

Principal Ryan Imbriale said: "We are very proud of this accomplishment; it's a testament to exceptional students and staff who work at Patapsco."

Imbriale said the College Board "made special note of a school lesson plan called ‘Hairspray: Connections to the History of the United States' and the way it challenged Patapsco's students to think about art, race, our community, and American history in an innovative and exciting way."
"We wouldn't be able to do the kind of work we do without such a supportive superintendent and central office, who ensure that the arts continue to be an integral part of education in Baltimore County," Imbriale added.

About a third of the 1,440 students at Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts audition to study one of four arts disciplines: visual arts, dance, theater or music. Imbriale said the $3,500 prize money will benefit not only the students in the arts program but the entire student body.

"The beauty of this school … is that it's a combination of a comprehensive school and a magnet program," he said. "What it allows us to do is enrich our comprehensive program using the resources and expertise and talent of its magnet students. By having the monetary award, we are going to be able to make sure that all of our students benefit directly from the fact that we have such a fabulous arts program."

Magnet Coordinator Liberty Grayek said the school is considering how best to use the award. "We will be working with teachers in the magnet to decide where that would best serve us. We're looking for programs using the arts to improve education in general and a way to create equality for all students."

Among the criteria the College Board evaluated were how the school addresses global art; engagement of artists and arts scholars in the classroom; involvement in the community; and partnerships among teachers in different grade levels.

When asked why she thought Patapsco's art program had been singled out, Grayek said: "A big part was the dedication of the teachers. They work so hard to provide enrichment activities and to get the students involved. They are dedicated to sharing the arts and engaging the students."

The College Board will choose one school as the national winner from the six regional winners. The national winner, which will be announced at a later date, will receive an additional $1,500.

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