PHX Reporter

The North Valley Arts Academies (NVAA) at Shadow Mountain High School will be recognized as an Honors Program starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. NVAA offers students a pre-professional arts pathway across five disciplines: Music Technology, Dance, Visual Art, Theatre Performance, and Theatre Technology. Courses are delivered by professional artists who are active in their respective fields and have teaching experience at the college level.

This application-based program provides unique courses not available to other students. Unlike other arts magnet programs that focus on academics and college preparation, NVAA integrates these elements within a traditional high school environment. Students can also engage in extracurricular activities such as athletics or speech and debate or complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program like JROTC or Sports Medicine.

The appeal of NVAA is demonstrated by the fact that 60% of students in the Digital Academy for Advanced Placement Scholars (DAAPS)—a Specialty program for gifted students at Shadow Mountain—are also part of NVAA. These students pursue rigor, excellence, and personal fulfillment during their time at PVSchools. Additionally, NVAA allows students to excel in art without needing to be advanced in other subjects, aligning with PVSchools' core value of catering to individual student needs. Each pathway includes a Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) Dual Enrollment course offering college credit.

"This new honors program is designed intentionally and progressively to ensure that students are fully prepared for both artistic and professional success after graduation!"