The Center of Excellence for the 
Visual and Performing Arts at Churchland High School
“Home of the Truckers”
4301 Cedar Lane ♦ Portsmouth, Virginia 23703
757.686.2500 - Office ♦ 757.686.2504 - Fax
Mr. Shawn L. Millaci, Principal
Dear Center of Excellence Applicant,
The Center of Excellence for the Visual and Performing Arts at Churchland High School offers unique
opportunities for students who are interested in the visual arts, drama, dance, or music. The Center of
Excellence offers two tracks for students with an interest in the visual and performing arts.
The Visual Arts at Churchland High School offers two paths into our Center of Excellence:
1. Visual and Performing Arts Academies – In-Zone and Out-of-zone students interested in studying a wide
variety of art elective classes in high school. Visual art classes address 2D and 3D design as well as ceramics,
photography, graphic design and animation. Performing arts classes include vocal and instrumental music,
dance, and drama. Requirements include a completed application, excellent attendance record, good grades,
no behavioral issues, and a keen and serious interest in the visual or performing arts. For instrumental,
dance, and vocal, this generally includes evidence of consistent involvement in the applied field of interest
for two consecutive years. If accepted, the student becomes a full-time Churchland High School Trucker and
must sign up for a least one arts class every semester (2 classes per year). Arts Academy students will be
required to participate in extracurricular/afterschool programs and contests in their selected program. If
the student declines at any time, he or she will be returned to his or her zoned high school.
2. Visual Art Scholar Honors – In-Zone & Out-of-Zone students must apply for acceptance into this
weighted-grade class. Accepted students will be a part of a more rigorous program in both studio art and
art history classes. Students will participate in a wide range of academic studies, complete 15 hours of
art-related community service, and travel to various museums and art schools. The Art Scholars track is for
those students who are interested and highly motivated to study art history or major in or pursue a career
in visual arts. The course work is carefully structured to maximize college preparation and career potential.
To apply, each student will present their artwork in either a Google Slide or PowerPoint Presentation if
in-person interviews are not possible. Students will submit an application, attendance and grades, personal
essay, and 2 references. Questions about the Art Scholars program can be directed to our Art Scholars
instructors, Ms. Jamie Cosumano (
[email protected]), or Mr. Larry Johnson
(
[email protected]).
We anticipate additional Performing Arts Scholar Honors courses in the future as all of our programs
continue to grow.
Applications to take any classes that are part of The Center of Excellence at Churchland High School are
available to any Portsmouth student that will be in high school next fall. Students who are zoned for another
high school and are accepted into The Center of Excellence at Churchland High School, you may receive a
zone wavier and be provided transportation from your home to Churchland High School.
The application packet can be picked up from your middle school or high school guidance office beginning
the first week of April. Complete packets for all students should include the Center of Excellence
Application, a completed zone waiver form (if students are zoned for another high school), transcripts,
discipline records, attendance records, and SOL scores. Students who are applying for the advanced Art
Scholars Program should also provide recommendation forms from two teachers that have taught you this
school year, and a letter explaining why you would like to be a part of the Churchland High School Center of
Excellence. This letter must be typed or handwritten neatly, and contain at least three paragraphs.
Please return the completed packet of items to your school counselor or to the Churchland High School
counseling office by May 27, 2022. Once the applications have been reviewed, you will be contacted by
phone and a date will be set for your portfolio review, interview, or audition. For additional questions about
visual arts, please contact Ms. Melanie Graham, Department Chair (
[email protected]), and
for questions about performing arts, please contact Ms. Alex Gray, Department Chair
(
[email protected]).
Sincerely,
Shawn L. Millaci
Mr. Shawn L. Millaci, Principal
Churchland High School