A Beacon for the Arts
About Us
Chattanooga High (CCA flipbook)CCA Auditions
Mission Statement
Our Vision: “Illuminating Dreams of Passion, Acceptance, Creativity and Excellence.”
Our Mission: With the arts as a vehicle to reinforce learning and foster creativity, the Center for Creative Arts, in partnership with parents and community, will develop the academics and artistic abilities of our students.
Center for Creative Arts offers students, grades 6-12, an opportunity to explore their gifts and talents. Arts programs in Communications, Music, Dance, Theatre and Visual Arts, plus a well rounded Academics Program, direct students in a progressive pathway to a bright future.
To receive the greatest benefit from the Center for Creative Arts, students must be willing to take risks, to make commitments, and to give their best every day in order to profit from this educational opportunity.
This school is not an ordinary school. It is quite different from the average school in many respects, especially in the atmosphere. Students feel comfortable and confident that they are being taught what will be necessary for success artistically and academically.
Excellence in every area is our goal at the Center for Creative Arts.
Art Majors
Click here to learn more about our arts disciplines or student “majors”.
More than 70 student events are presented annually: art exhibits, literary galas, plays, vocal music concerts, musical theatre, orchestra, band, choir, piano, dance ensemble, and guitar concert performances. The curriculum includes rigorous academic coursework for middle and high school students, including many honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual enrollment courses in high school.
CCA has developed artistic and fundraising partnerships with community organizations such as: ArtsBuild, Association for Visual Arts, Ballet Tennessee, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Chattanooga Ballet, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, First Tennessee Bank, Hispanic Flamenco Ballet, Junior League of Chattanooga, Public Education Foundation, Southern Lit Alliance, Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, and Unum.
Student Support Staff
Aseneth Scott, Student Support Coach
Linden Gaskin, Middle School Counselor (6-9)
Freda McCray, High School Counselor (10-12)
Alison Weiler, Social Worker
Transportation (Pick up/Drop)
Pick up/Drop off information
For any safety or driving concerns regarding First Student buses (buses numbered 200 and above), please contact 423-498-5555 or visit www.firstfeedback.com
Buses are expected to arrive within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. Please have students at their stops and ready to board the bus 10 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time. The bus schedule can not allow more time to wait for tardy students or for students to exit personal vehicles. For more information, please see the rules of conduct in the Transportation Policy Manual
Hamilton County Schools transports more than 20,000 students to and from school each day. There are 251 daily bus routes covering 23,000 miles each day and 4.0 million miles annually. Our mission is to provide safe and efficient transportation to and from school daily.
CCA History
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts History
History Founded in 1998, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts is a unique, dedicated fine arts magnet school promoting academic and artistic excellence for students in grades six through twelve. Part of the Hamilton County School System, CCA serves over 600 students in the fine arts concentration of their choice. The college preparatory academic emphasis of the school is propelled by a commitment to the arts as a vehicle to foster creativity, cultivate discipline, and build ensemble.
Accredited by the Tennessee Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, CCA has also been recognized as a Kennedy Center National School of Distinction, as a Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction, and as a STAR School by the International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools.
Awards
In recent years, CCA has gained both regional and national attention for the quality of its programs, as shown by the honors and recognition listed below.
Magnet Schools of America (representing 1,800 magnet schools):
National Certified Magnet School – 2017 – 2021 (currently the only school in TN with this designation!)
National Magnet School of Distinction – 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011
National Magnet School of Excellence – 2018, 2017, 2013, 2012
Outstanding Secondary Magnet School in the U.S. – 2013 (only 1 awarded each year)
Arts Schools Network (representing 1,500 arts schools):
Exemplary School 2015 – 2022
Outstanding Arts Integration – 2013
Outstanding Arts School Leader – 2013: Debbie Smith, Principal (only 1 awarded each year)
Outstanding Arts School Alumnus – 2011 (only 1 awarded nationally each year)
Outstanding Arts School – 2010 (1 of 5)
Outstanding Community Partnership – 2010
Tennessee Department of Education:
Reward School – 2012 and 2013 (recognizing the top 5% of schools in the state for student academic progress)
Other Noteworthy Distinctions:
ACT scores consistently above the state average.
Ranked #7 in the US News & World Report list of Best High Schools in TN – 2018 and 2017
100% Graduation Rate
