Principal's Message

Welcome to Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts (UASPA)!

 

It is my honor and privilege to have the opportunity to lead and serve the amazing UASPA community! In partnership with The Urban Assembly, UASPA opened its doors in September 2006 with 70 students. Since then, we have grown to serve 400 students each year in our home in Harlem. UASPA has been my home since the doors opened. In 2006, I was the founding History Teacher; in 2010, I became one of the founding Assistant Principals; and since 2014, I have been leading the community as Principal.

 

UASPA is the only college preparatory, non-audition performing arts high school in New York City. The school was founded on the belief that all students deserve access to a rigorous academic and artistic high school experience regardless of prior access or ability. We are committed to this mission and, therefore, we do not screen or audition any of our students. Our motto is “education equals options.” At UASPA, we help students create a vision for themselves and make that vision a reality. Through rigorous academic programming, our four year advisory sequence focused on the development of social-emotional skills, and our partnership with College Bound Initiative, 100% of our graduates are accepted into college with financial aid.

 

In addition to our strong academic, artistic, and social-emotional learning programs, what makes UASPA special is that our community is like a family. Students, families, and staff build strong, supportive relationships and our alumni continue to come back to visit every year - we even have alumni who are now working and teaching at our school! As a result of this family-like atmosphere, we get to know our students very well!

 

Thank you so much for exploring our website to learn more about UASPA and I invite you to come in for a visit soon to see what our community has to offer!

 

Best,

Meghan McMahon, Principal