So, I registered for a Preview Day (Remember, I am not only an OCHSAmama, I’m a parent of an OCHSA hopeful too with a prospective new student who will be entering 7th grade next fall.)
Anyway – while doing that I noticed there was a link to view the Preview Day Schedule so I clicked it; and you know what I saw? Yup, you guessed it — a Culinary Arts category under the School & Academic overview. Looks like its Director is TBD, but it appears as though OCHSA is officially launching its 12th Conservatory – Culinary Arts!
I guess at this point, the best way to learn more is to attend one of the 3 upcoming Preview Days and sit in on one of the Culinary Arts Overview sessions. I’ll be there if you cannot and I will keep you posted!
I am wondering what kind of experience they’ll be looking for and what the auditions will be like. Do you think the kids will have to cook something? Whip up a little something special to impress the director? Too funny! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
View the Preview Day Presenters and Locations here.
UPDATE 10/4/11: I think we may have the first ‘official’ words from OCHSA regarding the new Culinary Arts Conservatory! Today in the mail I received an Orange County High School of the Arts 25th Anniversary Edition newsletter and inside there was a whole page dedicated to the school’s expanding curriculum. This includes the Commercial Music Program (Instrumental Music Conservatory), the Ballroom Dance Program (International Dance Conservatory), both of which were added last year, and……a new Culinary Arts Conservatory for fall 2012.
“The Orange County High School of the Arts’ future growth is focused on continuing to provide bright and talented students with cutting-edge curriculum and instructional resources that will best prepare them for their future in the world’s evolving marketplace,” read the newsletter.
Here’s is the blurb about the Culinary Arts Conservatory, in its entirety:
Look what the school is cooking up now! Launching Fall of 2012, the Culinary Arts Conservatory will offer highly specialized curriculum to prepare student for admission to some of the top culinary arts institutes in the world and a profession in the culinary arts and hospitality industries. Led my master chefs and esteemed instructors and advised by a group of renowned restauranteurs, the Culinary Arts Conservatory will enable students to explore this rapidly growing avenue of the arts and learn essential knowledge that will help them succeed in the culinary career of their choice.
Additional details and audition requirements will be announced in November 2011.
In addition to Culinary Arts, there was mention of yet another new program — Digital Media Arts — and the expansion of other selected arts program over the next few years. Lots of references to the “Masterpiece in the Making” that is OCHSA and its Vision for the Future in which the school will continue to grow and thrive during its 25-year anniversary celebration and beyond.
“We are the Next Generation of World-Class Artists and Scholars” ……..OCHSA
I'm a mom, a writer, and apparently a blogger with two children who attend Orange County School of the Arts. I crave good information and LOVE to ask questions. But now I have all this stuff in my head. Oh well, it's okay because I love to chat and share. Go ahead and pick my brain.
I sincerly love what your doing for OCHSA. I have a senior and a Jr. both in IM. You write fair and honest. I just wish that you had more pull to get a new cafateria for the school. I have made lunch for these two kids since 7th grade. I wish they would kick out the ceramics class on the ground floor and convert this to an larger cafateria. Keep writing. Keep reporting. I love being an OCHSA parent.
Posted by Penny Fleming | September 26, 2011, 1:08 pmThanks Penny. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me that you like the blog…it made my day! I agree with you. There is a lot to love about being on OCHSA parent and I am having so much fun sharing my experiences. I’ll keep writing and I hope you will keep reading
xoxo
OCHSAmama
Posted by OCHSAmama | September 26, 2011, 11:36 pm