Perpich Center for the Arts Increases Recruiting Efforts

Perpich Center for the Arts in Golden Valley, the state supported arts high school, hopes increased recruiting efforts result in more students enrolling in classes next fall.

The high school has been under the microscope since a scathing legislative audit of the Perpich Center for the Arts in January 2017. The audit pointed to several problems in operating Perpich, and some legislators called for shutting the school down.

But Perpich got a chance to improve. Since then, there have been administrative changes, a magnet school in Woodbury has been sold, and recruitment efforts, which had been trimmed down, have been boosted once again.

“So often as I am going around the state and am interviewing people, they think the high school was the reason for the audit,” says Anne Johnson, admissions coordinator, who has visited more than 60 counties to recruit students.

Johnson says the only problem cited for the high school was low enrollment.

“We are still looking for students who are the right students to be here, ones that are successful and can succeed in academics and arts,” says Johnson.

The high school is adamant they will not lower standards for admission and still won’t accept every student just to meet a quota. 

“The quality of students applying to Perpich is beautiful and remarkable,” says Johnson. “It gives me conviction that this is a place that needs to be here and is an outlet for the kids who want it and need it.”

Last fall, Perpich started the school year with 161 students. They have the capacity to serve 310 students from all around the state.

The next deadline for student applications is on March 19. Students and parents interested in learning more about the school are welcome to tour the facilities and meet with staff and students.

Golden Valley