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Welcome to Philadelphia Performing Arts:
A String Theory Charter School

Founded in 2000, Philadelphia Performing Arts is the largest 
tuition-free, K-12 charter school in the city of Philadelphia.

With a premium on both academic and performance excellence, our students learn how to perform on stage, and in life.  At Philadelphia Performing Arts, our arts-infused curriculum begins in Kindergarten and remains an integral part of student life throughout elementary, middle, and high school. We believe every student must be nurtured as an individual. In addition to academics, we offer our students opportunities to study specialized subject areas in the arts and sciences that are meaningful to them though our Majors Program. Our inclusive school culture encourages students to explore their creativity, develop confidence, and reach their highest potential. As a String Theory School, we take pride in growing the next generation of creative leaders.

What Makes Us Great

Philadelphia Performing Arts: Top 10 Pennsylvania Charter Elementary School

Philadelphia Performing Arts has the largest charter in Philadelphia and is one of the only K-12 schools in the city. We are also the only school with an arts-integrated curriculum designed for elementary school children.

Apple Distinguished School

Philadelphia Performing Arts, Vine Street Campus, is recognized by Apple as an Apple Distinguished School. 

A Mission Dedicated to the Arts and Innovation

We believe in the profound positive impact that exposure to the arts has on a child's creativity, confidence, self-discipline, and greater understanding of the world. Starting in Kindergarten, our students have seven additional arts classes woven into their daily schedules each week. Once a student enters fifth grade they begin their own artistic and academic journey in our unique Majors Program.

Authentic Learrning Experiences

From performing at professional venues to working at our student-run coffee shop, Café Vine, to internships with our Incubator Fellows, our students have access to a variety of exciting real world experiences.

Learn more: Incubator Fellowship

Philadelphia Performing Arts: Recognized as a Top Public High School

Our high school is located at our Vine Street Campus, a state-of-the-art 265,000-square-foot facility. This building promotes project-based learning and interdisciplinary instruction with a motion capture studio, a 200-seat theater, two ballet studios, four science labs, four music studios, two fine arts studios, an engineering and robotics lab, a culinary test kitchen, a recording studio, and a student-run cafe. Our middle school is also housed at Vine Street Campus.


Student and Family Resources 

Featured News Stories

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Therapy Dog Program Launches at String Theory Schools

String Theory Schools is proud to announce the launch of our new therapy dog program in partnership with AIR Dogs. This incredible new program is now happening at all three Philadelphia Performing Arts campuses and Arts and Sciences. Watch this news clip to learn more and see one of our newest pups in action.

Take a Tour of our NEW Music Garden!

Action News visited our brand new Music Garden at the East Campus today. You can watch the clip to take a tour of the garden and hear from our school community leaders who helped bring this garden to life!

Kindergarten Red Carpet 2025

Welcome to Kindergarten! Our youngest students walked the red carpet on their first day of school today. Wishing our kindergartners and all of our new students a fantastic school year!

PA Grant Awarded to Build Sensory Garden at East!

Our East Campus was awarded an incredibly generous grant from the state of Pennsylvania to design and build a special outdoor sensory garden for students in grades K-5 with autism and other sensory needs. State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler was in attendance to share the great news with some of our youngest students!

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