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 Academy for Fine Arts and Academics
Application for the 2015-2016 School Year
Application for Current Grade 8 Applicants Only
The Academy for Fine Arts and Academics is seeking applicants that demonstrate motivation, responsibility,
and a strong dedication to academic achievement. Visit www.bhsafa2.com for more detailed information.
Application deadline is November 14th, 2014.
Scholars Track*
Scholars Track students must be accepted into the honors program in English, History, Math and
Science.
STEM Track
STEM Track students must be accepted into the honors program in both Math and Science.
Humanities Track
Humanities Track students must be accepted into the honors program in both English and History.
*Students accepted into the Scholars Track (all honors) may designate a STEM or Humanities focus within their
learning plan.
Fine & Performing Arts Track
Applicants must audition for one of the following majors within the Fine & Performing Arts Track:
Instrumental Music
Dance
Vocal Music
Visual Art
Drama
Creative Writing
Musical Theater
Acceptance into the Academy for Fine Arts and Academics will be based upon the following criteria:
1) Submission of a complete application by November 14, 2014.
2) Personal Essay
3) Two Teacher Recommendations
4) Student Grades (Grades 6, 7 and MP1 of Grade 8)
5) NJASK Scores (Grade 6 and 7)
6) Honors Acceptance (Scholars, STEM and Humanities tracks)
7) Student Audition/Portfolio Review (Arts Track Only)
8) Test of Cognitive Skills (7th Grade Score)
9) Algebra I District Assessment (8th Grade Exam – Scholars and STEM tracks only)
10) Academic Writing Sample (Scholars and Humanities tracks only – see prompt on page 4)
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of educators and administrators.
Please carefully complete all components of this application. Review application instructions
carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Utilize the application checklist to ensure all
application components are submitted by the deadline. Keep all parts of the application together
and submit the application in its entirety by the deadline of November 14, 2014.
Submit all application materials in one envelope to your school Guidance Counselor at least one week prior
to the application deadline.
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
1 Application Checklist
Submit all of the materials below in one packet/envelope to your school guidance
counselor at least one week prior to the application deadline.
All Applicants:
___ Completed Checklist (pg. 2)
___ Student Information (pg. 3)
___ Personal Essay (see page 4 for instructions)
___ Optional – Student Resume (see page 4)
___ Teacher Recommendation Verification Form #1 (pg. 5)
___ Teacher Recommendation Verification Form #2 (pg. 6)
For Scholars and/or Humanities Track Applicants Only:
__ Academic Writing Sample (see page 4 for instructions and prompt)
To be completed by School Guidance Counselor:
___ School Record Information* (to be submitted electronically)
*For applicants not currently enrolled in the Bayonne Public School District, please
see instructions on page 7.
Submit all application materials in one envelope to your school Guidance Counselor at
least one week prior to the application deadline.
All applications should be submitted to:
Academy Admissions Committee
c/o Laura Craig, Program Coordinator
Bayonne High School
667 Avenue A
Bayonne, NJ 07002
All Application Materials are due by November 14, 2014
Please contact Laura Craig, Program Coordinator with questions at lcraig@bboed.org
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
2 Student Information
Please print clearly in blue or black ink. Fill out all fields.
Student Name: __________________________ School: _______________________________
Age: ________ Birthday: _____________________ Current Grade: _____________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________________ Cell Phone: ______________________________
Parent Email: __________________________________________________________________
Which TRACK within the Academy for Fine Arts and Academics are you applying to?
(Applicants may apply to both an honors track and the arts track. Applicants interested in
more than one honors track should apply to the Scholars Track only. Students will be granted
admission into STEM, Humanities or Scholars based upon admission criteria).
SCHOLARS TRACK – Honors level English, History, Science and Math
STEM TRACK – Honors level Science and Mathematics only
HUMANITIES TRACK – Honors level English and History only
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS TRACK: Select Major (no more than two)
Instrumental Music (Instrument: ____________________)
Vocal Music
Drama
Musical Theater
Dance
Visual Art
Creative Writing
Parent Permission (mandatory for all applicants)
I, _______________________________________, give ________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Print)
Student Applicant Name (Print)
permission to apply for the Academy for Fine Art and Academics and certify the above
information is accurate.
__________________________________________________ __________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
3 Personal Essay (mandatory for all applicants)
In 250-500 words, please respond to the following prompt. Your response must be
typed in 12 pt. font and double-spaced, labeled clearly with your name. Attach your
essay to the application packet.
Personal Essay Prompt:
Describe a character in fiction, historical figure, political figure or activist, scientist or
inventor, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, math, etc.) that has had an
influence on you – and explain that influence.
For HUMANITIES or SCHOLARS Track Applicants ONLY:
Academic Writing Sample (additional writing submission - mandatory for acceptance
into the Humanities or Scholars Track)
Your response must be typed in 12 pt. font and double-spaced, labeled clearly with
your name. Attach the completed assignment to the application packet.
Writing Situation:
Your school is considering a proposal to stop giving grades. Instead, the students
will take a single test at the end of the school year to determine whether they will be
promoted to the next grade. Students have strong opinions about this proposal.
Some students believe it is a good idea, and other disagree.
You decide to write an editorial for your school newspaper expressing your opinion
about this proposal.
Writing Task:
In approximately 500 words, write an editorial for your newspaper expressing your
opinion about the proposal to stop giving grades and to have a single test at the
end of the school year to determine whether students will be promoted to the next
grade. Be sure to include reasons, facts, examples and other evidence to support
your position.
Optional for all Applicants: Student Resume
Students may attach an additional typed resume detailing school accomplishments
and activities, extracurricular programs, special honors and awards, summer
programs, etc.
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
4 Teacher Recommendation Procedure
1) Applicant submits this form to recommending teachers*. (2 required). Be sure to
complete the top portion for teacher reference.
2) Teacher*: Please go to: www.bhsafa2.com/apply
3) Follow the link to the “Teacher Recommendation”
4) Complete the simple online recommendation.
5) Once the recommendation has been submitted, please sign and return the bottom
portion of this form to the applicant.
6) Applying students will submit verification form along with all other application
materials in one complete packet.
*Teachers/private tutors/etc. that are not Bayonne Board of Education Employees may
submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. Letter must be sealed in
an envelope and returned to applicant for submission.
All Application Materials are due November 14th, 2014
Teacher Recommendation Verification #1
To be completed by student applicant:
Applicant Name: ________________________________________________________
Desired Track:
SCHOLARS TRACK (Honors in all 4 core subjects)
STEM TRACK (Honors Science and Math)
HUMANITIES TRACK (Honors English and History)
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS TRACK: Select Major (no more than two)
Instrumental Music (Instrument: ____________________)
Vocal Music
Drama
Musical Theater
Dance
Visual Art
Creative Writing
To be completed by recommending teacher:
Recommending Teacher Name: _____________________ Email: ________________
____ The online recommendation form for this applicant has been submitted.
________________________________________________________________________
(Recommending Teacher Signature)
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
(Date)
5 Teacher Recommendation Procedure
1) Applicant submits this form to recommending teachers*. (2 required). Be sure to
complete the top portion for teacher reference.
2) Teacher*: Please go to: www.bhsafa2.com/apply
3) Follow the link to the “Teacher Recommendation”
4) Complete the simple online recommendation.
5) Once the recommendation has been submitted, please sign and return the bottom
portion of this form to the applicant.
6) Applying students will submit verification form along with all other application
materials in one complete packet.
*Teachers/private tutors/etc. that are not Bayonne Board of Education Employees may
submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. Letter must be sealed in
an envelope and returned to applicant for submission.
All Application Materials are due November 14th, 2014
Teacher Recommendation Verification #2
To be completed by student applicant:
Applicant Name: ________________________________________________________
Desired Track:
SCHOLARS TRACK (Honors in all 4 core subjects)
STEM TRACK (Honors Science and Math)
HUMANITIES TRACK (Honors English and History)
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS TRACK: Select Major (no more than two)
Instrumental Music (Instrument: ____________________)
Vocal Music
Drama
Musical Theater
Dance
Visual Art
Creative Writing
To be completed by recommending teacher:
Recommending Teacher Name: _____________________ Email: ________________
____ The online recommendation form for this applicant has been submitted.
________________________________________________________________________
(Recommending Teacher Signature)
(Date)
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
6 School Record Information – Instructions for Bayonne Public School
Students
All applicants currently attending a Bayonne public school: submit your completed
application packet, including all additional materials (essay, writing sample, teacher
recommendation forms) to your school guidance counselor.
Guidance Counselor: Complete a School Record Information form (electronic
submission – link will be provided by L. Craig) for each applicant.
School Record Information – Instructions for Non-Bayonne Public
School Students
Applicants that do not currently attend a public school in the Bayonne school
district must submit complete transcripts/report cards from grade 6, 7 and the first
marking period of grade 8. In addition, applicants must provide copies of any/all
standardized test scores (NJASK, Terra Nova, etc.) from grades 6 and 7.
Applicants to STEM or Scholars may be asked to take a mathematics placement
test.
All applications should be submitted to:
Academy Admissions Committee
c/o Laura Craig, Program Coordinator
Bayonne High School
667 Avenue A
Bayonne, NJ 07002
All Application Materials are due by November 14, 2014
Please Note: This application is for current grade 8 students only. Current high
school students can access the correct version of the application at
www.bhsafa2.com.
Academy for Fine Arts and Academics Application for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
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