Frequently Asked Questions

Applications will be due in early January, 2027 for a Fall 2027 intake.  Date TBD.

• Student application form including the upload of a recent photo of yourself
  
• Two teacher referrals (one from current grade 8 teacher and one from another teacher/specialty teacher)
• Digital audition pieces (different for each specialty)
• Digital scrapbook
• $20 application fee

Audition day will take place towards the end of January 2027.  The date will be TDB. Auditions take place between 8:30am-4pm.

In the morning, students will participate in a masterclass for the stream to which they are applying.

Students will be assigned a ten minute interview block. They will be asked a series of standard interview questions. Subject specialty teachers will add questions based on their area of focus.

Students are asked to apply to one area of study only; however, they are encouraged to let us know if they have an interest in a second area when they apply. Should there be openings available, students may be contacted about auditioning/applying for their alternate area of interest. Students are encouraged to apply for the area of study (drama/dance/music/visual arts) that best suits their skills and interests.

Any instrument you may play will be honoured during the application process for the program. We have had students who play harp, bagpipes, percussion, all band and string instruments. Students will be expected to expand their own repertoire by exploring other instruments if accepted to the program. Students who do not play a traditional band instrument must realize they will be expected to learn a band instrument in their daily music class if accepted to the program.  

Teachers look for students who:

• want to explore the arts in depth in a school community setting

• can commit energy and talent to the program

• enjoy spending time with peers who share the same interests

• want to meet professional artists

• want to be challenged through an enriched arts program

• want to learn about the connections between the arts

• want to use the arts as a method of learning in other subjects

• have a passion for the arts

​Yes, within Peterborough County. KPR currently provides transportation for any student living more than 3.2 km from Thomas A. Stewart SS. Bussing is limited to the Peterborough County area. Students from outside the county may be accepted into the program provided that parents assume responsibility for transportation. 

​Graduates of the program will have completed secondary school credits and can go on to any post-secondary destination just like anyone else. Our guidance counsellors are great at explaining all of these options to students throughout their high-school years.

Yes - except in Grade 9, where students have already selected to take an arts discipline and are required to take Integrated Arts as a credit. Students do select their own options. They are required to take two arts credits (or arts related credits such as Fashion Design) in each of their four years in the program. Students have the option to return for a free fifth year or extra semester to take additional courses that interest them. 

Yes and no. Peterborough Integrated Arts students are together for their arts specific courses in grades 9 and 10 but are integrated with​ other students in their other subjects and academic levels.

Not in your first two years. Students are expected to take courses in their chosen major for grades 9 and 10. ​In the senior grades, students are free and encouraged to take additional arts courses in other areas of study.

Thomas A. Stewart SS offers facilities that fully support the Integrated Arts Program, with diverse spaces and equipment designed to benefit and enrich students’ experiences. The school has a dance studio with connected change rooms, wonderfully designed art rooms including one with a dark room, a sculpture studio, an additional drama room, a Fashion Arts room and more.