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In addition to counselor service for 9th-12th graders, West California Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD) can also help middle school students apply for Art High School.  Rebecca Chu was accepted by the Los Angeles County High School for the Art (LACHSA) in 2015 at the age of 13. Her brother, Jonathan Chu, was accepted by LACHSA in 2019 at the age of 13. They both chose to continue their study at WCAAD at the same time with LACHSA. In 2019 Rebecca earned acceptance to Otis College of Art and Design-Animation with a scholarship of $92,000/4 years; Jonathan was admitted to Art Center College of Design-Entertainment Design in 2023 with a scholarship of $88,000/4 years. The siblings’ family really employed the Academy’s counselor service in a vital way--twice! Once for their admissions into art high school-LASCHA and the other in admissions into their respective colleges Otis and Art Center-their dream schools.  The connection between students and teachers is most important and valuable especially when it comes to achieving college dreams. When families come to a fork in choosing a career, college, path, financing, and fear of rejection, the WCAAD college advising becomes a crucial key in creating a road to success. The counselors work very close and personal with students and families from beginning to the end creating a stronger bond that reflects both in the final application and portfolio. This is what makes this experience unique and rewarding. This personal connection is what can make a difference with so much competition these days.  For certain students we realize that some youths have a clear vision of their career path. There are several high schools dedicated to the Visual and Performing Arts located in or near California, and these institutes become options for students and parents.  LACHSA is a Visual and Performing Arts high school located on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California. The school was founded by philanthropist Caroline Leonetti Ahmanson in 1985. It is a public and tuition-free school, operated by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. It is a highly competitive school which specializes in the training of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and film.  Acceptance into LACHSA is based on an audition process for the approximately 130 spots available for incoming students. Most people identify the school by its aesthetic campus along with its ability to "offer both college preparatory courses and conservatory style training". In 2012, Academy Award nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy made an award-winning documentary about LACHSA called "Fame High."  WCAAD student Qiuya Chen was accepted by LACHSA in 2017 at the age of 14. She continued her study at our Academy at the same time, and she earned acceptance to her dream college USC-Game Design in 2021. WCAAD student Isabel Sun was accepted by LACHSA in 2019 at the age of 14. She also continued her study at our Academy at the same time, and she earned acceptance to her dream college USC-Game Design in 2024.  WCAAD student Jason Liu was accepted by the California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) in 2020. He continued his study at our Academy at the same time and earned acceptance to UC San Diego-Graphic Design in 2023.  WCAAD student Phoebe Zhang was accepted by CSArts-SGV in 2020 at the age of 11.  CSArts-SGV is a public charter school that provides a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment offering bright and talented students a rigorous college-preparatory education and pre-professional arts conservatory training. Students select from one of 11 arts conservatories offered within the schools of dance, fine & media arts, music, and theatre. CSArts-SGV is a tuition-free, donation-dependent program made possible through a unique public-private partnership with the Duarte Unified School District.Small student/teacher ratios in academic and arts classes allow for personalized attention. CSArts-SGV students receive opportunities to participate in master classes, guest artist presentations, field trips, and performances, as well as a variety of campus clubs and activities.  Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) is a public school, supporting grades 7 to 12 . It's located in Santa Ana, CA in Orange County. The total enrollment at OCSA is around 2,000 students, making it a large high school, in the top 25% of all California high schools by size. Attending OCSA will feel like attending a small college. You'll have a few hundred students in your class, enough to provide an interesting set of activities, sports, and classes to try.  Idyllwild Arts Academy is a boarding art high school that is global by design, and welcome students from all over the world who are united by their passion for artistic excellence. Students join a supportive community on the idyllic mountaintop campus, engaging in a unique dual curriculum of specialized arts training and challenging college-prep academics.  To help middle school students apply for these art highs, WCAAD program caters to a variety of tracks, particularly one where students choose an Art High School in the Visual or Performing Arts. Here they create a strong portfolio under guidance and mentorship that include: interview preparation, consultation, essay review and recommendation letters for those schools. This intensive goal-oriented curriculum, deepens their artistic development through exploration and strengths skills and range. With guided instruction students fulfill criteria set by chosen school and further, we see evidence after gaining admittance students continue their education with us for the pursuit of a college portfolio and AP assistance. Service include： Highschool List & Planning Interview coaching Highschool auditions Essay Assistance + Review Artist Statement Recommendation Letter（WASC Stamped） High-def. Portfolio & Digital Copy Application Assistance  COURSE OVERVIEW: Portfolio Preparation is a class designed for some student who decide on entering art high school. Students will be given the opportunity to review college application requirements, receive guidance on how to choose the right art high school, prepare admission portfolio requirements and learn about the variety of career options in the visual arts. Final portfolio should represent your current skills and development as an artist.
 WCAAD Counselor Team don't work with recruiters or third parties. When students have an outside counselor, this creates a conflict of interest, and WCAAD counselors can’t be responsible for bad advice plus additional money is wasted. WCAAD counselor service caters to art and non-art related majors. This is key as the counselor team offer a secure path knowing that there is a legacy of student that come to seek various educational journeys for continuing education relying on and earning trust that is renewed year to year with 100% successful student case profiles.  WCAAD advisory is a connection to the students for a formula that turns into dreams year after year. Students will work one-to-one with faculty to develop an intense individual focused and disciplined-specific, portfolios. Counselors will guide students into the right path and plan for each individual’s needs. Constantly evaluating work for the best outcome.  Additionally, the counselors help prepare the student to perform their best with coaching on how to deal with nerves and tackle any sight reading/cold reads that may come their way.  Set Sail for A Creative Life!
(By Omar Gallegos, WCAAD Vice Principal and Director of Education)
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