The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Houston, Texas)

 theatre, school, secondary education, dance school / dance academy, school (college) of arts and design

The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) is a secondary school in the Houston Independent School District, located at 4001 Stanford Street in the Montrose community of Houston, Texas.


The school serves grades 9-12, and is divided into five departments: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Theatre (including technical theatre) and Visual Arts. HSPVA has no actual feeder patterns; since it is a magnet school, it takes students from all over the HISD and, until recently, from other school districts.


Students are required to audition for entry under one art area. At the end of every semester students complete a re-audition or portfolio review, which determines whether they will continue at HSPVA.


HSPVA was established in 1971 on a site previously occupied by Congregation Beth Israel at the corner of Austin and Holman Streets near downtown Houston. The school moved to its present location (the site of the former Montrose Elementary School)in 1981.

Notable alumni include:
●Lisa Hartman Black - television personality
●Chandra Wilson - actress
●Susan Choi - novelist
●Everett Harp - jazz musician
●Mark Selinger - photographer