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.
643
Total Students
20.4
Full-Time Teachers
31.6
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Creative and Performing Arts
Demographic Student Count
White172
Hispanic79
Black323
Asian39
Two or More29
Pacific Islander1
  • Black
    323 (50.2%)
  • White
    172 (26.7%)
  • Hispanic
    79 (12.3%)
  • Asian
    39 (6.1%)
  • Two or More
    29 (4.5%)
  • Pacific Islander
    1 (0.2%)
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: 643
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 20.4
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 31.6
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Grade 9 146
Grade 10 137
Grade 11 186
Grade 12 174

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Creative and Performing Arts
Grade Student Count
Grade 9146
Grade 10137
Grade 11186
Grade 12174
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Creative and Performing Arts
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female50578.5%
Male13821.5%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)