Our School

 

 

 

 

PENN-GRIFFIN SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

825 Washington Street

High Point, NC 27260

336-819-2870

336-889-4841 (fax)

Mr. Abu Zaeem, Principal

Office Hours:  Monday-Friday (8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.)

Student Hours:  Monday-Friday (9:20 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.)

 

Penn High School and Griffin Middle School merged in 2003 to become Penn Griffin School for the Arts. A district magnet school, we offer traditional core courses along with elective classes in eight different arts disciplines: orchestra, band, vocal music, guitar, piano (middle school only), dance, theatre, modern music production, and visual arts.

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts learning community is committed to being a premiere 6-12 school for the arts by working together. We are constantly challenging our potential, nurturing responsibility, celebrating diversity, and modeling lifelong learning. 

 

The Arts Program

In addition to traditional core courses, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers elective classes in eight different arts disciplines: orchestra, band, chorus, classical guitar, piano, dance, theatre, and visual arts.  Unique to Penn-Griffin is the opportunity for students to journey through the arts in one school from sixth through twelfth grade.  The arts program is designed to allow students to explore multiple arts areas in sixth grade and then choose an area as their arts concentration in seventh and eighth grade.  Upon entering the high school grades, students must audition in their arts concentration.  The high school students continue formal study in their art in a supportive environment with other students who share their passion and love for the arts. 

How do I get to go to Penn-Griffin?

Middle grade students (6-8) come to Penn-Griffin through an application process that takes place in the fall of each school year.  After filling out and turning in the application, a Guilford County Schools internal lottery system is used to place students in the school.

High school students (9-12) must audition to attend Penn-Griffin.  The audition process includes a written application, short interview, demonstration of an advanced ability level in selected arts area and teacher recommendations.  Audition dates are announced each fall for the following school year.

The Faculty

The Penn-Griffin faculty and staff participate regularly in arts integration workshops and training sessions.  Unlike traditional schools, there are full-time arts teachers for each of the eight arts disciplines at Penn-Griffin.  In addition to being certified educators, these teachers are also working professionals in their individual areas.   

Penn-Griffin has also established collaborative relationships with local universities.  Students from these universities serve as mentors, classroom assistants, and volunteers at Penn-Griffin.  These partnerships not only enhance the lives of the students at Penn-Griffin, but the college students as well, who have the opportunity to further their love of the arts by experiencing it with the next generation.

Together, the entire faculty works to provide a public school for the arts that offers the best possible education and prepares students to become life-long patrons and participants in the arts.

Rigorous Academics 

Penn Griffin High School offers Honors and Advanced Placement courses ONLY, which requires strong academic readiness and dedication from students. A rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) class is a high school course that mimics the pace, depth, and expectations of a college-level class. It’s designed to challenge students academically and prepare them for AP exams, which can potentially earn them college credit, as part of our district's Career and College Promise (CCP). During the 11th and 12th grades, students may enroll in courses at GTCC through Career and College Promise Program. Students must have an unweighted GPA of 2.8. 

Penn Griffin Middle School offers Advanced English/Language Arts and Mathematics courses in each grade level which can lead to the potential of a student taking Math I and possibly Math 2 in 7th and 8th Grades.