Departments and Majors

YPAS students have the opportunity to major in many areas. Highly specialized and intense training in each performing arts major prepares students for rigorous college, university, or conservatory programs that are focused on the arts. Each year, YPAS hosts 65 to 100 college, university, or conservatory representatives, who audition YPAS seniors for placement in postsecondary performing arts programs. This day, called Career Day, offers our students the opportunity to talk with many colleges, universities, and conservatory representatives in order to apply to an audition for their programs and to receive special scholarships.

The YPAS cocurricular performance program provides a comprehensive classroom learning experience coupled with hands-on performance opportunities. All students are provided the opportunity to participate in after-school performances and touring companies that perform throughout the region and travel internationally. In addition to special projects, guest artist classes, touring ensembles, and performance workshops, approximately 23 productions are showcased each season in the Main Stage and Experimental Theaters.

To complement their arts education, students take academic classes at duPont Manual High School, a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence with a national academic rating of 122 in the Redbook top U.S. high school rankings. YPAS and Manual are on an eight-block schedule that runs over two days. Blocks one through four meet the first day, a Red Day, and blocks five through eight meet the second day, a White Day. Each class block is 90 minutes, allowing for multiple instructional styles and methods. The eight-block schedule also allows for academic flexibility and the opportunity for students to enhance their arts education beyond their major.