Many of our readers may only the know name, Camden NJ from the headlines, voted many years in a row in the national statistics as The Most Dangerous City in America. We read about the violence, the murders, the prostitution and the drugs. But nestled inside this forgotten city is a haven, a gem of a school that is nurturing and educating a select group of very talented and special young people. Nationally renowned Publicist Karen Ammond who handles high profile clients across the USA, www.kbcmedia.com was asked to speak to the incoming students; she had previously brought some of her clients in the entertainment industry to meet the kids.
Karen stated, “ When you first see where this school is located you cringe, across the street are abandoned homes that are used as crack houses, it looks like a war zone. You can see drug deals taking place down the street, gangs, and prostitutes walking the streets. Then you walk through the doors of this magical school. You witness teachers who truly care about these kids, students smiling and helping each other, a staff that appears to be on call for any needs that arise.
You hear singing, dancing, plays being rehearsed, as well as math, science, writing and art classes taking place. As I walked the hallways I thought back to my years in High School and wished I could have experienced a school like this! I thought how lucky each one of these high school students are to have been chosen to attend this school. You quickly forget the environment outside, once you walk through those doors. I was so honored to have been asked to speak to the incoming 9th graders last week. They were inquisitive, intelligent, articulate and polite. I adore each one of the students I meet; they each touch your heart in a special way. Any small part I can play to help assure these kids have a great future, I must do! We can’t allow this kind of talent and spirit to slip away, each one must succeed”.
Sally Sharpe the site coordinator of the school and the major reason so many children succeed at the school stated, “Everyone at the Creative Arts High School in Camden loves Karen Ammond. She is a dream merchant who gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow. She is a woman of substance and true integrity. Because of Karen we all have smiles on our faces at CAHS.”
Dr. Coe-Brockington the Principal and I asked Karen Ammond to speak at the Creative Arts High because she inspires not only the students, but also the faculty to come alive. She has a high level of energy that radiates to all of us. She makes us believe that we are someone and we can be anything and that are dreams inspire us to be if we work hard.
Karen Ammond is a woman that believes in the American Dream that all of us have self worth and a divine purpose on this earth. She only sees the good in us in Camden. Karen believes that our dreams will come true.
In a world filled with so much negative and violence, it is so miraculous that a woman like Karen Ammond has taken the time out of her busy day to be with all of us. We love her, for all of us at the Creative Arts High School , we love the arts just like she does.”
The Creative Arts High School opened it doors on September of 1999, with its first ninth grade class of 53. Our high school is located at 1701 South 6th Street in Camden, New Jersey. It has been in existence for 8 years. The mission of the Creative Arts High School is to provide compelling experiences and opportunities for the diverse Camden population in order for them to be empowered in their pursuit of a sustained academic education and cultural awareness through the arts. Currently, the Creative Arts High School has 9th-10th-11th & 12 grades for a total of 186 students. The students major at CAHS major in art, creative writing, costume design, dance, drama, vocal music, and instrumental music.
CAHS is a comprehensive academic high school. Through the leadership of our dynamic principal, Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington, CAHS is preparing our students for a higher education. Our students and staff work closely with Camden County College, Rutgers University, and Rowan University. 100% of the 2007 and 2006's graduating classes are attending either a two or four year college program.
Our students must take Advanced Placement English and history beginning their tenth grade. Students will be given the option of taking an Advanced Placement Exam during their senior year. During grades 11 and 12 the students are given the opportunity to take dual credit courses at Camden County College. The principal and staff at CAHS are committed to providing the students with an education that will enable them to be empowered to be able to go anywhere in the world and be comfortable with their skills and knowledge.
Graduating eighth graders who live in Camden try-out in the spring to be selected to attend the Creative Arts High School. The students selected to attend CAHS must have a 2.5 average, a portfolio, or be ready to perform in the areas of their specialty. They are selected in their major by this process. A committee in each art area has a process in which to select the students who are to attend 9th grade the next year.
Sharp stated, “The readers can help us by praying for us, and that one day we have a new school for the young people of the Creative Arts High School. If you could only see where the high school is located in Camden, you would understand why I am asking this miracle for all of the young people at CAHS.
Some of the students need uniforms, coats, gloves, umbrellas, and sweaters to wear with their uniforms. So many people think of Camden as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. It is! However, the children are highly intelligent, beautiful, and talented like all of the other children in America. The American Dream was for all children to have a dream and be the best of what they dreampt. I still have that dream for all the students at the Creative Arts High School in Camden.”
“I truly cannot begin to tell you how wonderful Karen Ammond is to the students at CAHS. Again, I tell you she is our dream merchant!”
Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington, the principal of the Creative Arts High School was chosen the Camden County's Champion of Diversity by the Courier-Post Newspaper in May.
The Creative Arts High School was the first of its kind in the city of Camden.
"These are direct quotes from the Sunday, July 15th article about Dr. Coe-Brockington. "It draws for them (students) to want to go to school every day, because they’re doing something that they enjoy."
"The arts cross all backgrounds-racial, religious and socioeconomic. Anyone can flourish in the arts."
The Summer Program
The Creative Arts High School Bridge Program
Basically, this enrichment program was developed to get the incoming freshmen to experience a high school environment. The courses offered in the summer 5 week session are math, character education, English, and the arts, which consist of the following: art, creative writing, costume design, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, and drama.
The Creative Arts High School's Summer Bridge Program has been a huge success because of the leadership of Dr. Davida Coe Brockington, the principal, and Jacqulyn Thornton, the person-in-charge, and the CAHS staff through the consistent efforts of everyone in this program the incoming new students have been challenged to achieve high standards and reach their ultimate goals in the arts.
For more information about the school visit their website: http://www.creativeartshs.org
