Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BPS 192)

- 450 Masten Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209

For New York families in the Buffalo region and Western New York, the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, known locally as BPS 192, represents a unique and highly sought-after educational opportunity. As a public magnet school serving students from Grades 5 through 12, the Academy stands as a beacon for aspiring young artists, offering a dual mission: professional preparation in a pre-conservatory arts program alongside a rigorous, college-preparatory academic education.

Modeled after some of the finest arts high schools in the nation, including the renowned LaGuardia High School in New York City, BPS 192 offers students a chance to truly immerse themselves in their chosen artistic discipline. The education received here is not just an extracurricular; for students, their art major becomes an integral part of their daily schedule. The commitment to specialized training is so deep that, particularly in the later years of the High School Program, students often dedicate significant blocks of time—up to two hours and fifteen minutes—exclusively to their art studies. This focused dedication is what helps students "grow as an artist tremendously" and "actually find my artistic voice, skill, and style," as highlighted by alumni reviews.

Admission to this specialized Art school requires students to audition or interview in their chosen field of study—be it Dance, Theatre, Music, or Visual Arts—demonstrating a commitment and talent that sets the stage for success. The environment is widely celebrated for its supportive and nurturing culture, with many teachers praised for being "very caring and understanding toward their students and love what they do." The school’s dedication to a holistic approach extends through its social support systems, which actively promote an Anti-bullying environment and provide a genuine safe space for all students to express themselves and thrive.

The Academy consistently exceeds New York State targets for academic performance, with staff committed to preparing students for both college and career readiness. This commitment ensures that while students are mastering the arts, they are also challenging themselves academically through Advanced Placement and accelerated courses. The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts is considered an excellent choice and is universally regarded as Good for kids who possess a passion and drive for the arts, offering them pathways to top colleges and professional careers.

The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts is situated centrally within the city, occupying a prominent location in a diverse and established neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. Its positioning within the Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) system ensures it is an easily reached destination for students across the city and surrounding areas of Western New York.

Address: 450 Masten Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, USA

The school is well-equipped to accommodate students, staff, and visitors, reflecting a commitment to being a fully inclusive and functioning public facility.

• Access for All: The facility provides a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring ease of access for all members of the community, regardless of mobility needs.
• Parking Convenience: For families dropping off or picking up students, and for staff, the school offers both On-site parking and a designated Wheelchair accessible parking lot, simplifying the daily commute.
• Grades Served: The campus caters to students across a broad spectrum of age groups, running the full secondary education path from Grades 5 through 12.

BPS 192 is distinguished by its intensive arts majors and comprehensive academic offerings, which are meticulously designed to ensure students receive a world-class education:

• Arts Majors and Studio Disciplines (Pre-Conservatory Training):
  • Visual Arts Class: Encompasses a range of two- and three-dimensional art forms, fostering skill, style, and critical artistic voice.
  • Performing Arts - Dance: Specialized programs in Ballet and Modern Dance.
  • Performing Arts - Music: Focuses on both Vocal Music and Instrumental Music (including participation in groups like the Buffalo Philharmonic).
  • Theatre Arts: Comprehensive drama training.
  • Technical Theatre: Focuses on the production and technical elements of stagecraft and performance.
  • Media Arts (Media Communication): Training in areas like TV and film production, leading to student-made work being featured in film festivals.
• Academic Rigor (High School Program):
  • Art History and Music Theory: Integration of arts-specific academic coursework to deepen understanding.
  • High School Courses and College Preparation: A comprehensive academic curriculum offering numerous Advanced Placement Courses (e.g., AP Studio in Art, AP Art History, AP Literature, AP U.S. History) and accelerated courses for college credit.
  • Enrichment Program and Electives: Courses outside the major, such as Digital Photography, Design/Draw for Production, African American History, and AP Computer Science Principles.
• Student Support and Community Services:
  • Student Support Team (SST): Dedicated professionals, including a School Social Worker (like the highly praised Ms. Kim Jones), School Counselor, and School Psychologist, who go "above and beyond" to provide social-emotional and mental health support.
  • Summer School: Academic options are available for credit recovery and credit progression, ensuring students stay on track for graduation.
  • Community Partnerships: Robust relationships with outside organizations, including colleges like Canisius College and the University at Buffalo, to provide tutoring, guest artists, and community involvement opportunities.

The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts offers a distinct set of features that make it an exceptional educational destination in the New York Public School system:

• Dual-Focus Education: The school’s strength lies in its explicit commitment to pre-conservatory studio training in the arts in concert with a rigorous college preparatory coursework. This means students do not have to choose between artistic passion and academic excellence.
• Exceptional Arts Faculty: Reviews consistently highlight the quality of the arts instructors—from the great art teachers to the entire staff—who are described as "very caring" and instrumental in helping students develop their technical skills and artistic identity.
• Culture of Support: The pervasive anti-bullying environment and the availability of the dedicated SST staff create a secure, welcoming, and safe space where students feel comfortable to explore, experiment, and grow both artistically and personally, especially during challenging times.
• Performance and Exhibition Opportunities: Students are regularly recognized for their award-winning artwork, participate in festivals (like All-County Music Festival), and perform with professional organizations (like the Buffalo Philharmonic), providing high-level, real-world experience.
• Magnet School Status: As a magnet school, BPS 192 intentionally draws a diverse student body based on artistic talent and academic potential, fostering a unique, collaborative, and competitive environment not found in a traditional neighborhood school.
• Full-Day Art Immersion: The curriculum allows for extensive time dedicated to the arts majors, particularly in junior and senior year, giving students the focused studio time necessary for professional development.

For more information about the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, including admissions criteria, audition dates, and program specifics, please use the following contact details. For applications, please refer to the Buffalo Public Schools Student Placement & Registration department.

Address: 450 Masten Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, USA
Phone: (716) 816-4220
Mobile Phone: +1 716-816-4220

For New York families in the Buffalo area who have a child with a serious interest and aptitude in the visual or performing arts, choosing the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BPS 192) is a decision to invest in a transformative, dual-path future. This is not simply a school that offers art classes; it is a full-scale Art school integrated into the public education system, designed for students who are destined for creative careers or higher education in the arts.

What makes it truly worth choosing is the unparalleled concentration in the arts combined with rigorous academics. While many schools offer a choice between arts or academics, BPS 192 delivers both, preparing students for admission to top-tier universities while simultaneously building a professional artistic portfolio or performance resume. Alumni credit the environment for shaping them "as a person" and helping them grow their skills "tremendously," pointing directly to the expertise of the great art teachers and the support provided.

Crucially, the school is proactive in supporting its students' well-being, demonstrated by the praised SST staff who provide a supportive framework for navigating personal and academic challenges. The school is a dedicated safe space with an anti-bullying environment, ensuring that while the artistic training is demanding, the social setting is secure and nurturing. The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts provides the ideal launching pad for the next generation of talented artists and creative professionals from Western New York.

Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BPS 192)

450 Masten Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, USA