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Western Heights Middle

Contact Information

Address: 1300 Marshall Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740  [ Map / Directions ]

Phone: 301-766-8403

Fax: 301-766-8641

Arts: SCAPE - Arts Supporting Creative and Academic Performance Excellence

Arts:SCAPE provides expanded opportunities to magnet students in the visual and performing arts, while incorporating best practices through arts integration WHMS will offer two Avenues: A for Academic and Creative and B for visual and performing arts. The ultimate goal of Arts: SCAPE is talent development for all students.

Avenue A (Academic) is designed for students who are highly gifted in both reading and math, a combination that is not currently serviced through existing middle school magnet programs. These academically gifted students will be invited to apply following the current screening model. Advanced level coursework will utilize best practices from gifted education and arts integration. Avenue A students complete summr assignments that their teachers will use to "frontload" content to allow magnet teachers to increase the depth of unit exploration throughout the school year. 

Students invited  to apply to Avenue A may also apply to Avenue B, the Creative Performing Arts Avenue. Dual applicants must also engage in the Avenue B audition process, in addition to completing the interview and task associated with the Avenue A application process. 

Avenue B is designed for students who have demonstrated talent or the potential for exceptional talent in the creative and performing arts. Any current Grade 5 student may apply for Avenue B. Avenue B will be accessed via the audition/portfolio process, which mirrors the current criteria used for admission to the Barbara Ingram Schol for the Arts (BISFA).These creatively gifted and talented students will select a visual/performing arts concentration path, and participants will be eased into advanced-level coursework per their area(s) of identified academic strength(s).

Learn more about our WCPS Magnet Programs and other advanced learning opportunities.