Welcome to Lamar Fine Arts Academy
Everything You Need to Know to Apply
LMFAA Application Timeline:
LMFAA APPLICATION
AISD has created an Common Application for Schools of Choice, through the parent cloud to streamline the application process for families whose students are current AISD students. We require all AISD families to utilize the common application page which will pull your student's recommendations and grades. If you already have an account in the Parent Portal and you're ready to apply, use the Apply Now button below to go directly to the Common Application.
To create an account and apply for one of our programs of choice, please visit our
Create a Parent Portal . Need assistance? Please call 512-414-9187.
After you click "Submit", you will see a link for "Teacher Recommendations". Click on this link to send the recommendation form to your teachers. Please follow up with your teachers or our office to ensure the teachers have sent their recommendations.
The next step will be to learn about your audition in the Lamar FAA 2022-23 Audition Handbook.
You will be contacted closer to the auditions with a sign up link.
For the most up to date info, visit the Lamar website: http://www.lamarmiddleschool.org/fine-arts-academy
Please email Kerren Campa for questions, kerren.campa@austinisd.org
Application Timeline
January 7, 2022
LAMAR FAA APPLICATION DEADLINE
Teacher Recommendations Also Due @ This Time
Application/Grades/Teacher recs are all due in the Intent to Apply App by 4:00 p.m
January 15, 2022
FAA Auditions/Interviews @ Lamar MS 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
As applications to Lamar FAA are received through the Common App, audition times will be emailed to applicants starting the end of November – make sure you are checking the email address you provided in the application packet.
February 4, 2022
Notifications can be found in the Common App.
Please note: There is no appeals process .
February 11, 2022
Your intention to enroll must be made in the Common App by 5pm.
AISD Transfers
Please Note : Once you accept this offer, we take care of your transfer.
Transportation for Academy students to and from Lamar is not provided by AISD
Ready to Apply?
Look Through the Handbook
LMFAA 2022-23 Audition/Handbook
Handbook can also be found at the bottom of this email, under Important Attachments
Transportation for Academy students to and from Lamar is not provided by AISD
Complete the AISD Common Application
- The Common App Tile can be found through your AISD Parent Cloud. The Common App IS the application now, so we will not know that you are interested if you do not apply there.
- If you are coming from outside of AISD, you will need to make an account. Instructions to make an account can be found HERE
- Instructions for Common App-English
If you already have an AISD Parent Account, you can APPLY HERE NOW
Send Grades & Teacher Recommendations
- If your student is currently enrolled in AISD, Grades & Teacher recommendations can be requested through the Common App portal.
- If you are outside of AISD, you can request teacher recommendations through the intent to apply portal. You will need to have your teacher's emails to do this part.
- If your current school does not use a numerical/A-F grading system, please have them use the scoring guide, which can be found in the back of the handbook. One has also been provided in the Important Attachments section of this newsletter.
- STANDARDIZED TESTING ( ie STAAR, ITBS) NOT REQUIRED
Learn More about the Specific Majors
Major's Workshops will be held on....
Saturday, December 11th, 2021
Lamar Fine Arts Academy Information Sessions
Session 1: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Session 2: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Parents and Students may attend both sessions to find out about two different majors, however, you can only apply for one Major.
Transportation for Academy students to and from Lamar is not provided by AISD
Come See a Performance
Curious About AISD's Dual Language Program?
For more information, visit AISD, https://www.austinisd.org/dual-language/ms
Application Process- https://www.austinisd.org/dual-language/application
About Lamar
A Taste of Lamar Fine Arts Academy
Lamar Dance Program
Lamar Dance is under the direction of Natalia Luna, Emily Roe, and Leah Baxter Mercer. The dance program is one of the strands in the Lamar Middle School Fine Arts Academy.
"Dance education in Texas schools provides all students with the opportunity to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of dance as an art form. Students learn and refine dance skills and techniques in class and in performance, study the historical and cultural significance of dance and its evolution as an art form, and evaluate personal work and the work of others.
- Dance Curriculum Framework, Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts
Lamar Band Program
"The mission of the Lamar Middle School Band Program in Austin, Texas is to provide students with an enriching musical experience: to facilitate students in developing a level of musical growth that will enhance their quality of life and enable them to become lifelong advocates of music."
Lamar Choir Program
Under the direction of Megan Starkey, the Lamar choirs have earned numerous awards and recognition. The LMS choirs have earned superior ratings at the annual UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest, superior ratings in the Schlitterbahn Soundwaves and Alamo Showcase Competitions, have performed at the Texas State Capitol as well as Carnegie Hall. The Lamar choirs have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Austin Singers, the Austin Community College Singers, St. John’s United Methodist Church, and the University of Texas.
The Lamar choirs are The Purple Pups, The Doggie Dames, the Top Dawgs, Scottie Singers, and POP!
Learn more about audition requirements for Lamar Choir:Www.lamarchoir.com/faaauditionrequirements
Classical Guitar Program
Lamar's Classical Guitar is the flagship middle school guitar program in AISD.
We have three classical guitar classes at Lamar: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Guitar.
The Classical Guitar instructor is David Conger.
Creative Writing Program
The Creative Writing Program provides guidance, support and numerous opportunities for young writers. Students in the creative writing program study and create poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, novels, plays, and screenplays. The goal of the program is to help young writers cultivate their talents and broaden their command of the writer's craft.
The program guides students from an entry-level understanding of creative writing to a more robust building of skills in the craft during the middle year. Ultimately, eighth-graders in the program create a capstone project of either a portfolio of polished pieces in Advanced Writers Workshop or a middle-grade novel in Novel Writing.
COURSES
Year 1: Creative Writing I - Introduction to Creative Writing. An overview of short story, poetry, nonfiction, drama, etc. (year-long)
Year 2: Choose Two (all semester-long):
Creative Writing II - Students read and write in a variety of genres.
Narrative Writing - Students read and write short stories and narrative nonfiction.
Scriptwriting - Students write one-act plays or screenplays for short films.
Poetry - Students read and write poems, exploring various aspects of the poetic craft.
Year 3: Choose One (both year-long):
Novel Writing - Students write a middle-grade novel.
Advanced Writer’s Workshop/Literary Magazine - Students create a portfolio of polished pieces. Students review submissions and create the literary magazine, Muse.
Lamar Orchestra Program
The Lamar Middle School Orchestras are conducted by Kyra McCarthy. Our orchestra program offers students a variety of specialized course options, including Beginning Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra, as well as Fiddlers, Philharmonic Orchestra, and a Violin Technique class.
"The Lamar Orchestra’s mission is to advance string education by encouraging the study and making of music by all, and to provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of music making."
- Lamar Orchestra Mission Statement
Listen to more recordings: http://lamarfineartsacademyorchestra.weebly.com/about-the-orchestra.html
Digital Arts Program
The Digital Arts and Media program is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of digital media creation. The program aims to enhance computer literacy, to analyze current and emerging technologies, and to challenge the student to produce unique and creative multimedia projects. Each course offers students the opportunity to develop as an artist while participating in the shared experience of media production.
We have two pathways available: Digital Media Production and Digital Photography. Students may take classes in both areas in order to fulfill strand obligations.
Digital Arts and Media Classes include:
Photography I: Students will learn all aspects of photography from setting up a shot artistically to delivering products in a competitive market. It is taught in a computer lab using appropriate software such as Photoshop and Lightroom (Digital Darkrooms). Students will be expected to develop an understanding of photography in both industry and creative arts with a focus on creating quality photographs (6th-grade only; yearlong).
Exploratory CTE: Media Arts: This course is focused on exploring multiple forms of media arts such as graphic design, photography, animation, a/v production, & more. Working with equipment & various digital applications to create original media projects. (6th-grade only; yearlong)
Web Design: Students employ creativity and innovation to create and design websites. Students will explore web design & development through analysis of design & implementation of digital applications. Researching current technologies in web design & information literacy, practice digital citizenship, & gain in-depth understanding of web design. (7th & 8th-grade; yearlong class; HS credit).
Principles of Art, A/V Technology, and Communication (AAVTC): Principles of Arts and AV is the high school introduction course where students will be provided an opportunity to develop an understanding of the various and multifaceted career opportunities in Arts and AV. This course allows students to develop knowledge and skills related to information management and presentation in photography, animation, graphic design, video technology, and desktop publishing (7th & 8th-grade; yearlong class; HS credit).
Digital Media (previously Photography II - Adv. Camera & Equipment & Adv. Digital Created) This course is focused on advancing your knowledge in two main sections of photography: Equipment & Post- Production. Students will learn advanced digital camera skills, while learning to develop their own concepts for photography projects. Students will also learn advanced features of Adobe Photoshop to enhance their digital photographs. (8th-grade only; yearlong class; HS Credit)
Digital Art and Animation: Students will explore the history of & work through the production processes of creating original animation art. Using video, audio, original drawings, & various programs, this course allows students to develop knowledge & skills related to job-aligned skills for being an animator (8th-grade only; yearlong class; HS credit).
Check out our animations and movies at Lamar Digital Arts and Media Vimeo page: https://vimeo.com/lamarmiddleschool
Theatre Arts Program
Theatre Arts is a year-long elective available for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The Lamar Theatre Department is headed by Ms. Le Easter with the assistance of Mr. James Young who teaches Technical Theatre. For more info, visit the Theatre Arts Department website: www.lamartheatre.com
Lamar also offers:
- a Technical Theatre class which will cover the fundamentals of theatre with an emphasis on technical theatre.
Visual Arts Program
The Visual Arts Program at Lamar Middle School focuses on the development of technical skills in a variety of media. In the art program, students will learn new techniques and sharpen their skills while exploring artists and art history.
Beginning Art and Intermediate Art are year-long courses.
Beginning VADA and Intermediate VADA are year-long visual/digital art courses.
Art I (High School credit course) - 8th grade students that have passed 6th or 7th grade Art at Lamar, or with approval from a Lamar art teacher.
Lamar Info
Email: kerren.campa@austinisd.org
Website: lamarmiddleschool.org
Location: 6201 Wynona Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-3217
Facebook: facebook.com/LamarMS