best high school photography programs in U.S.

Hello there,

 

I am doing some research on high school photography programs around the country. If you have any knowledge in

this area, I would greatly appreciate it if you could point me toward some that are top-notch.

 

Many thanks,

Andrew

I think it is a good thing that someone wants to pursue this.

 

You should distinguish between teaching chemical photography and digital/electronic photography. You are going to find

some interesting results. I also think that you will not find as many high schools as you think.

 

Further, the level of photography (should be digital) is sorrowfully lacking in the schooling beyond high school. Private

schools dedicated to photography and/or art is where it is at!! Better photographic clubs provide good courses in

photography with concentrated/focused subjects.

My question is why do you want to do this? Would any family move to a different state so their child could take a photography class? I suppose the information is generally useful. You would have to look at both general comprehensive high schools (traditional) and vocational technical schools. The NEA (Nat. Ed. Assn) in Washington might have statistics that could be of help. States might keep some curriculum statistics. To make a comprehensive survey would require a large budget for mailings, or a lot of phone calls. Many schools put their curriculum on the web. I have no idea what a google search would produce. As for the Best Program, I object to the whole concept because it is impossible to determine who is the "best." A list of "good" programs that have a facility, equipment, and staff would be sufficient. The US News & World report on the "best" colleges has deeply harmed college education. But that's a whole different essay. Cheers!

I’m not sure why he wants to do it, but it would be nice to recognize great teachers in their field. Teachers are underrated and photography teachers must be way below the radar.

Just a thought.

These are some good points and fair questions. As for the "why", I am a high school photo teacher myself. The school where I teach has what I consider to be a very strong program, but I'm also interested to learn more about what other schools are doing. In the right circumstance I might even be able to visit one or more of these programs.

 

Joseph: At our school we teach both traditional and digital photography. I'd be interested in any excellent program, whether they specialized in one or the other, or worked with both. I think you are right: not as many as one might expect.

 

Robert: Yes, a comprehensive survey is beyond my means and my desire. A rather brief google search brings up a few interesting sites, but I was hoping some readers of this forum might have specific experience or knowledge that they could share. I *completely* agree about US News, and I am not looking to crown or rank anyone -- just looking for excellent programs that I might be able to learn from/share with.

 

William: I agree, though I am very lucky to teach at a school where my work is valued.

 

Thanks, all, and I'd be happy to hear more input.

Hi Andrew,

 

A friend of mine taught somewhere in Utah but I can't remember where it was. Next time I see her I'll ask and let you know. She said their program was amazing, a huge budget (bigger than our university had), they did a mix of digital and film. If I'm not mistaken they started out with film so the kids understood what they were doing and then had the option to move on to digital later.

 

I'll get back to you and let you know what he name of the school was.

 

Cheers,

Catherine

Andrew:

 

Every June, I run a national photography contest in Kansas City, MO and get 40 of the top technical students in the

country each representing their state. These students had to beat out their classmates, then go on to beat the best student

from every other school in that state. Then, they go on to nationals where they compete in a 3-day hands-on shoot out that

covers every aspect of professional photography. This organization is affiliated with technical and comprehensive schools.

 

As a general statement (there are exceptions), Technical schools are training students to be career-minded and public

education leans towards the fine arts. So to answer your question directly, you could look at the top winners in high school

photography competitions like: SkillsUSA, PMA (PIEA), Scholastic Art Awards, etc...

Thank you again for the replies.

 

Catherine, I know the school to which you are referring -- Waterford is in a suburb of Salt Lake City.

 

Bill, thank you, that is helpful. I have looked into Scholastic winners a bit, and will do so further. I am not familiar with those other competitions, so I will check those out too. We lean much more toward the art side than the commercial, but it would still be interesting to see what is out there.

Check with BOCES in New York state. When I was a sophomore or junior in high school in the early 1970s I attended a very good photography program through BOCES. According to their website they still offer some photography related programs:

 

http://www.monroe2boces.org/index.cfm