The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, also known as BAVPA, is a magnet performing arts high school and part of Buffalo's public school system. The current principal is Ms. Jody Covington, and the current assistant principal is Dr. Eileen Czarnecki.
| Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
450 Masten Avenue East Side 14208 | |
| Information | |
| Status | School In Need of Improvement (Year 2) |
| School number | 192 |
| Principal | Jody Covington [interim] |
| Grades | 5-12 |
| Color(s) | Black & Yellow |
| Affiliations | Hallwalls, WKBW-TV, Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo |
| Website | BAVPA |
The school holds classes from grade 5 to 12 and requires students to apply (as if for a job) in the field of their desired "major concentration". Majors taught in the school are Visual Art, Television and Film Production, Dance, Theater, and Music (vocal or instrumental).
Usually near the end of the school year, the TV/Film Production Department has a film festival at Delaware Park. The film festival shows the work the TV/Film Production students have throughout the year.
History
BAVPA was founded in 1977 as a magnet school, based on a recent court order demanding that Buffalo desegregate its schools. It was originally located at School 87 located 333 Clinton Street in the lower East Side of Buffalo. Due to size constraints, the school moved to its current location in 2007. The new building, located at 450 Masten Avenue in Buffalo, is the former home to Woodlawn Junior High School and Buffalo Traditional School.
Selected former principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
- Mr. Elmber Shamber
- Mr. David W. Hess–?-1991 (unknown, name Acting Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education for Buffalo Public Schools)
- Ms. Barbara W. Schnell (unknown, named Principal of Buffalo Vocational Technical Center)
- Mr. Ronald Meer
- Ms. Deborah Smith–?-2000 (unknown, named Principal of Buffalo Vocational Technical Center)
- Mr. Kevin E. Kazmierczak–2000-2008 (Director of Instrumental Music Programs - Buffalo Public Schools, named Principal of Tonawanda High School)
- Mr. Darren J. Brown–2008-2011 (Principal - Community School 53, named Executive Director for Human Resources for Buffalo Public Schools)
Selected former assistant principals
- Mr. Thaddeus W. Weselak–?-2000 (Assistant Principal - Kensington High School, retired)
- Mrs. Ramona Y. Thomas-Reynolds–?-2002 (unknown, named Principal of West Hertel Academy)
- Ms. Wendy L. Richards–?-2005 (unknown, named Assistant Principal of Grover Cleveland High School)
- Mrs. Patricia J. Welch-Thomas–?-2005 (unknown, named Principal of South Park High School[1]))
- Mr. Thomas C. Aquino–2005-2006 (Assistant Principal - Seneca Vocational High School, retired[2])
- Mr. Larry J. Hunley–2005-2006 (Assistant Principal - Seneca Vocational High School, named Assistant Principal of Academy School 131[3])
- Ms. Jody J. Covington–2006-2011 (Assistant Principal - Academy School 131[3], named Interim Principal of Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts)
Famous alumni
- Ani DiFranco (Class of 1986)
- Jesse L. Martin (Class of 1987)
- Robert Jones[disambiguation needed] (Class of 1995)
- Jerry May (Class of 1996)
References
- ^ Buffalo Public Schools (2005, December 21). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.
- ^ Buffalo Public Schools (2006 May 10). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.
- ^ a b Buffalo Public Schools (2006, November 1). Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments.
External links