Common Questions and Answers
Who is eligible to apply?
Any student, grades 3 - 7, who is a resident of Fayette County. Non-Fayette County residents are not eligible for this program.
Can I audition in more than one arts area?
Students are allowed to audition in only ONE (1) arts area.
Do I have to have taken private lessons in my arts area?
No. Students are not required to have had formal training in any of the arts areas prior to applying for SCAPA.
How are students selected for the school?
Students are selected for SCAPA based solely upon the results of their audition and recommendations. No minimum grades or conduct are required for admission.
When are application materials available?
Applications will be available January 6, 2024 through January 22, 2024 via this website and via the FCPS website.
How do I apply?
To apply for SCAPA Bluegrass, begin the process by completing the Fayette County Gifted/Talented Application no later than January 22, 2024. The application can be obtained and submitted on-line at www.fcps.net or using the link on this website.
Applicants will be assigned an audition date and time after the close of the application window.
What happens after I complete the application process?
Every student who has a complete online application will be scheduled for an audition. An email is sent to each applicant indicating the date and time of their audition and what the student needs to do to prepare for the audition. Students auditioning in Visual Art will also receive an art assignment to be completed prior to the audition.
On the day of the audition,
- Please bring any prepared materials with you as instructed in the audition date/time email, and
- Have fun and do your very best!
What happens after I complete the audition?
After all auditions are complete, the SCAPA arts faculty will meet to determine the offers of placement.
Middle School Results (current 5th, 6th, 7th grade) will be emailed March 6, 2024.
Elementary School Results (current 3rd, 4th grade) will be emailed March 7, 2024.
How many slots are available each year?
The number of available slots, by next year's grade level, is as follows:
- 4th grade - 58
- 5th grade - 0 (a current student must leave the school for an opening to occur)
- 6th grade - 6
- 7th grade - 0 (a current student must leave the school for an opening to occur)
- 8th grade - 0 (a current student must leave the school for an opening to occur)
Should an opening occur after the initial February offerings, the SCAPA arts faculty will review the completed auditions and submit the name of the selected student to the Gifted/Talented Office in order to fill the vacancy. Openings may happen at any time prior to the beginning of the school year.
How are the arts classes worked into the regular school day?
SCAPA students balance arts classes with academic classes on a daily basis. All students attend academic classes in all core subjects on a daily basis. In addition, elementary students take class in their arts major three (3) days per week and also take classes each day in a different arts area (i.e. Monday - Art, Tuesday - Dance, Wednesday - Drama, etc.). Middle school students take class in their arts major each school day, take class in an arts minor three (3) days per week, and take an arts elective course two (2) days per week.
In order to accommodate the additional arts classes, SCAPA Bluegrass operates on an extended-day schedule. School begins at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m.
How many students attend SCAPA?
SCAPA has an enrollment cap of 302 students. There are two classes of 29 in both 4th and 5th grades and two classes of 31 in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.