Admissions

Join a community where young artists thrive in Theatre, Dance, Music, Creative Writing, and Visual Arts — while remaining connected to their home high schools.

How to Apply  Schedule a Tour

START HERE

How to Apply

ECA is a part-time public magnet high school. Families complete an online application; accepted students attend ECA in the afternoon while enrolled at their sending high school.

STEP 1

Create Your Family Account

Parent/guardian creates an application portal account and begins the student application.

  1. Choose your art department
  2. Provide student info & district
  3. Confirm guardian contact

STEP 2

Tell Us About You

Students submit a brief written response or video introducing themselves and their artistic interests.

  1. Share why ECA is a fit
  2. Upload optional work samples
  3. Request counselor/teacher forms (sent automatically)

STEP 3

Submit & Track

Submit by the priority deadline to be included in the first lottery round. You’ll receive email updates.

  1. Verify all sections complete
  2. Submit by Feb 12 (priority)
  3. Watch for decisions in mid-March

KEY DATES

Oct 1 — Applications open in the online portal
Feb 12 — Priority application deadline (first lottery)
Mid-March — Acceptance notifications released

NO AUDITIONS

Access & Equity

We do not require auditions. Students share their interests through a short written or video prompt.

PART-TIME MODEL

Two Schools, One Path

Students split their day: academics at their home high school, arts at ECA in the afternoon.

TRANSPORTATION

District-Provided

Most districts provide transportation to and from ECA. Check with your home school for details.

Open Application Portal  Schedule a Tour

VISIT ECA

Tour the School

Explore studios, see our Arts Hall and Little Theater, and meet faculty. Choose an in-person tour or a virtual overview.

Book In-Person Tour  Watch Virtual Tour

QUESTIONS

Admissions FAQs

Who can apply to ECA?

ECA welcomes high school students in grades 9–12 from our partnering districts across Connecticut who are passionate about the arts. Students apply to study in one of five departments: Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, or Creative Writing. Applicants should have a genuine interest in developing their artistic skills, collaborating with peers, and exploring creative expression in a pre-professional setting.

Do I need to audition?

No. Admission to ECA is not based on an audition or portfolio review. Students are accepted through a lottery process that considers available seats by district and department.

Each sending district is allotted a certain number of seats per department at ECA, and when more students apply than there are available spaces, a lottery determines placement. This process ensures fair and equitable access to all interested students across our partnering districts.

How does scheduling work?

ECA operates on an afternoon schedule, Monday through Thursday, from 1:00 PM to 4:10 PM.
Students attend their regular academic classes at their sending district high school in the morning, then travel to ECA for their arts block in the afternoon. This unique model allows students to pursue intensive arts training while staying fully enrolled at their sending school.

Is transportation provided?

Transportation is provided and arranged by MOST student’s home school district. Buses typically pick students up after their morning classes and bring them to ECA, then return them to their districts at the end of the day.  If transportation is not available on a given day (such as when a district is closed), students may attend independently if possible, but absences due to district transportation issues are always excused.

What credits do I earn?

Students earn between 2 to 3 full credits per year through their ECA coursework, which count toward graduation at their home high school. These credits reflect both the academic and artistic rigor of the ECA program and are recorded on the student’s high school transcript. Many ECA courses also provide students with portfolio materials and pre-professional experiences that support college and career pathways in the arts. These credits may differ by district.

Contact Admissions

Email:
admissions@eca-aces.org

Office Number:
(203) 777-5451

Address: 
55 Audubon Street
New Haven, CT 06510