About CCA

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.

About The School

Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts

Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts Founded in 1998, the Center for Creative Arts is a unique, dedicated fine arts magnet school promoting academic and artistic excellence for students grades six through twelve. CCA is a magnet school in the Hamilton County School System and serves approximately 600 students. The college preparatory academic emphasis of the school is enhanced by a commitment to the arts as a vehicle to reinforce learning and foster creativity.
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.

 


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.

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

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