6th Grade Artistic Assessment

Dear 6th Grade SCPA Students and Families,

My name is James Jones, and it is my sincere pleasure to serve as the Artistic Director of The School for Creative & Performing Arts (SCPA). I am writing to you today to share important information about a new and essential part of the 6th-grade experience: the 6th Grade Artistic Assessment. We know that navigating the transition from the 6th to the 7th grade can bring up many questions, and our goal is to ensure this new process is communicated clearly and that you feel supported every step of the way.

This is the first year for this new assessment, and we are committed to making sure every family has the information they need for a successful journey.

The Why: Preparing for the Pre-Professional Conservatory

At SCPA, the sixth-grade year is a foundational part of our preparatory division. We dedicate this year to preparing students for the more intensive, pre-professional conservatory track that begins in 7th grade and continues through graduation. To ensure every student is placed on the optimal path for their individual success, all sixth graders in every artistic department will participate in this new assessment process.

It is important to note that this assessment is different from the regular artistic proficiency exams, often referred to as "BOARDS." The primary purpose of the 6th Grade Artistic Assessment is to thoughtfully determine if a student will continue into our 7th-grade conservatory program or if their unique talents might be better served by guidance toward other excellent educational opportunities within Cincinnati Public Schools.

The Assessment Process: Key Components

To provide a clear picture of the year ahead, here are the key components of the assessment timeline. We encourage you to mark these dates on your calendar.

• Pre-Assessment (October 28-29, 2025): This is the first formal part of the assessment. While each artistic department will use a custom rubric tailored to their specific art form, all rubrics will be grounded in the core values of our school, represented by the SCPA expectations acronym: Show Respect, Contribute Positively, Perform Honorably, and Act Safely and Responsibly. Following this pre-assessment, you and your student will be notified if your student is on track in their art form or if there is additional work that will need to be done in order to pass their final assessment.
• Final Assessment (Week of March 15, 2026): This will be the main, end-of-year assessment that takes place just before spring break. It will provide a comprehensive look at the student's progress and readiness for the conservatory level.
• In-Class Assessments: To alleviate any impact on after-school activities, both the pre-assessment and the final assessment will take place during your student's regular artistic class time.

A Critical Action for All Families: The CPS School Selection Process

Because SCPA is a Cincinnati Public Magnet School, there is a mandatory action item required for every single 6th-grade family. You must complete the online CPS School Selection Process. This is a crucial step that ensures your student has a confirmed placement for 7th grade.

Applying is a straightforward process that can be done from any computer or smartphone. Here’s how:

1. Log in to the Parent Portal: Visit cps-k12.org/parentportal. You must have an active Parent Portal account with your student linked to it.
2. Access the Application: Once logged in, click on "School Application" in the menu on the left, directly below your student's name.
3. Review and Select: Carefully review your student's information. You will then select your three program choices using the drop-down menus.
4. Submit: Once you have reviewed everything and confirmed the details are correct, submit the application. You will receive a confirmation email.

Important Deadlines to Remember

There are two different deadlines for this process, and it is vital that our families meet SCPA's earlier internal deadline.

• SCPA's Internal Deadline: December 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Your child's artistic department will collect proof of your application's completion (such as a screenshot or printout of the confirmation email). It is imperative that this proof is submitted to the department by this date.
• Official CPS District Window: The application window for the entire Cincinnati Public Schools district opens on November 1, 2025, and closes on February 28, 2026.

Next Steps

• Complete CPS School Selection Process
• Send confirmation of CPS School Selection Process form to 6th grade arts teacher within SCPA
• Deadline to communicate School Selection to SCPA: 12/19/25
• Deadline to communicate School Selection to CPS: 2/28/26

We Are Here to Help

We understand that a new process can feel like a lot of information. Our commitment is to partner with you to find the best educational path for every single student. Should you encounter any technical trouble with the Parent Portal or the online application, please contact the CPS Family Technology Support Center at 513-363-0688.

For any questions specific to the artistic requirements or rubrics for the assessment, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to the SCPA Artistic Department at 513-363-8042.

Thank you for being our dedicated partners in your child's artistic and academic education. We are looking forward to a fantastic year of growth and discovery in the arts.

Sincerely,

James Jones
Artistic Director, School for Creative & Performing Arts