Byng Arts Mini-School
A community of young artists and their mentors
Byng Arts Applications for Sept. 2011
Our time line for 2011-2012 entry has been updated.
Important dates: Byng Arts Info Night - Nov 15, 2010. Byng Arts Auditions - Feb. 8, 2011.
Please refer to the VSB website for further information: VSB Website, Click Here
Philosophy
The Byng Arts Mini School is for above average students whose energies
and passions are directed toward the Fine Arts or Literary Arts.
The program emphasizes artistic development at the core of the high
school experience. This is achieved by providing students with
encouragement, challenges, and opportunities to develop and channel
their creativity through:
- Rigorous curriculato foster the highest standards of
student achievement in the Academics and the Arts,
- Interdisciplinary study
- to broaden the scope of
student inquiry,
- Cooperative endeavor
- to involve each student's special
talents in working towards shared goals,
- Orientations to the professional Arts community
- to
incorporate artistic attitudes and skills into the student's lifestyle
and post-secondary and career goals.
The evolution of Byng Arts
Byng Arts, a school-within-a-school, began informally as a Senior
program (Grades 11 & 12) that included: Theatre Company, Honours
Art, Concert Band, and Honour Orchestra. The Junior program (Grades 8
to 10) was phased in beginning September 1999 when Byng Arts received
official mini-school status.
Since then Byng Arts has evolved into a school with greater
identity. In 2003 we increased the amount of streaming at the Junior
level and introduced an applied fine arts rotation (Jewelry, Video
production, Animation, and Textile Arts) at the Grade 8 level. We
continue to evolve and attempt to meet the needs and interests of the
Byng Community.
For September 2004 we have added a literary arts options and are
looking to develop (slowly) a TV/Film & Choral program. From time
to time we need to adjust programs to accommodate budgeting &
timetable constraints.
In addition to an enriched curriculum, all students in Byng Arts
participate in events, which feature community artists, musicians and
performers. These events strengthen the collaboration between Byng and
the professional arts community.
Grade 8 Program
has these features
- Specialization in one of the following: Band, Drama, Strings, or
Visual Arts
- Streamed in: English, Socials Studies, Science, Physical
Education
- One English class designated as the Literary Arts class
- Streamed in visual arts and drama, but integrated with other
music students
- Integrated with main school for French and mathematics
- Applied fine arts rotation (usually, computer animation, jewellry
design, textile arts, and video production)
Options
- May take an additional fine art (with approval from the
Registrar) by dropping French 8 and taking the Spanish program
beginning in Grade 10 to meet university requirements
- Write the Mathematics placement exam for Mathematics 9 or
Mathematics 9 Enriched
- Write the French placement exam for higher level French course
Successful placement in the above option(s) may require the
student to make adjustments within the Byng Arts program. In all cases,
consideration is given to maintain the integrity of the Byng Arts
program as much as possible without jeopardizing the student's career
and academic goals.
Grade 9 & 10 program
follows the Gr 8 program and looks very much like it
- Streamed in English, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education
- One English class is designated as the Literary Arts class
- Streamed in fine arts specialty where possible and beneficial
- Integrated with main school in French/Spanish and mathematics
- Integrated with main school for other electives in Applied Skills
or Fine Arts
Senior Program
features fewer streamed courses to allow greater specialization
- Streamed in two classes: English and an intensive course in a
fine art specialty
- Integrated in other courses; may include other intensive courses
in fine art specialties
- Work experience with arts organizations
- Articulation with post-secondary programs
- Specialization in Fine Arts courses towards a Major,
Interdisciplinary or Honours concentration
The Selection Committee will be looking for students who have the
following:
- Commitment to a focussed and rigorous program in the arts
- Demonstrated ability in one or more area of the arts
- Ability to work cooperatively and to respect the creativity of
others
- Proven ability in core academic subjects
Selection tools
for all grade levels
- Availability of seats
- Two most recent report cards
- One letter of reference
- Handwritten essay (by student!)
- One audition (or more) in:
- Band
- Drama
- Literary Arts (Current Grades 8 to 11)
- Strings
- Visual Arts
Selection tools
Grade 7's entering Grade 8
In additon to all of the above
- District Cognitive Test Scores
- District Writing Sample
- District Mathematics skills test
Selection tools
All Visual Arts applicants
In addition to the above:
- three (3) well-chosen pieces of work spanning a variety of media.
The pieces must fit inside the application package and may be
photographs
Selection tools
Literary Arts 9 to 12 (Current Grades 8 to 11)
In addition to the general tools:
- five (5) pieces of writing including at least one analytical and
one creative work. A maximum of two may be school assignments
- Student submits the completed application package to Byng by the
due date. The package must include
- The confirmation page from the VSB online application
- The confirmation page from Byng Arts online application.
- Completed cross boundary application form, if the catchment
school is not Lord Byng. These are available at your
elementary school office
- Completed Byng Arts Mini School Reference Form in sealed
envelope
- Two most recent report cards: November and previous June
- A recent photograph with your name written across the back
- Supporting documents for visual & literary arts
applicants only. (See checklist included in the package.) No other
portfolios, videos, CDs, or other documentation will be accepted from
other applicants
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that
application requirements above are complete. Incomplete applications
can not be processed unless all information is available for the
Selection Committee.
- Students are notified if they have made the short list.
- Short listed students are notified of appointment times for
testing, auditions portfolio assessments, skills assessments,
interviews as appropriate.
- Students selected for Byng Arts 2005 are offered positions.
Students on wait list are notified of wait-list status.
- Successful applicants notify Byng of acceptance or not. Students
on wait-list offered remaining seats.
- Enrolment forms due from all students new to Byng (all grades).
- By mid-July, students bring photocopies of their June report card
to the Main Office for confirmation of course placements.
- Student timetables uploaded to school website mid-August.
Thank you for visiting us.
Top