FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions


Who is eligible to apply?

Any student, grades 8–11, who is a resident of Fayette County. Non-Fayette County residents are not eligible to apply for this program.


Can I audition in more than one arts area?

Students are allowed to seek gifted identification in more than one arts area, however, requirements are rigorous and require focus


Do I have to have taken private lessons in my arts area?

No. Students are not required to have had formal training in any of the arts areas prior to applying for SCAPA.


How are students selected for the school?

Students are selected for gifted identification based solely upon demonstrated artistic talent through the audition process. District Visual/Performing Arts Audition Committees, comprised of SCAPA teachers and district arts specialists in each arts area, will determine which students will be referred to SCAPA for possible placement for the following school year. No minimum grades or conduct are required for admission.


When will application materials be available?

Application materials will be available between January 6-22, 2024.


How do I apply?

To apply for SCAPA Lafayette, begin the process by completing the Fayette County Gifted/Talented Application and submitting the application to the Gifted/Talented Office no later than January 22, 2024.  The application can be obtained and submitted on-line at www.fcps.net or by contacting the Gifted/Talented Office at 381-4741.


In addition, all SCAPA Lafayette applicants may submit names of teachers or other arts professionals who know you as an artist who can complete a recommendation form. You may submit email addresses in the online application and we will reach out to them on your behalf.


What happens after I complete the application process?

Students will work with school-based arts specialists and district Gifted and Talented resource teachers to prepare auditions. GT Visual and Performing Arts auditions are recorded and submitted at every middle and high school in the district throughout January. Your arts teacher or GT specialist at your FCPS school will help you prepare & submit your application and audition. 

Students auditioning in Visual Art will also receive an art assignment to be completed prior to the audition.


What happens after I record and submit my audition?

Auditions will be scored by a District Visual/Performing Arts Audition Committee, comprised of SCAPA teachers and district arts specialists in each arts area. Committees will determine based upon auditions which students will be referred to SCAPA Lafayette for possible placement for the following school year.

After all auditions are complete, the SCAPA Gifted/Talented Recommendation Committee (SCAPA GRC) will meet to review the audition results and supplementary evidence to determine offers of placement, wait list, or recommendation for non-SCAPA school-based services. Letters of acceptance, waitlist, and non-acceptance will be sent through SchoolMint in early March.


How many slots are available each year?

The number of available slots varies each year according to the following variables:


Due to the size of Lafayette High School, SCAPA Lafayette typically has more capacity than is available at SCAPA Bluegrass in elementary and middle school levels. The average number of available slots is usually 45–55. There are no grade-level specific number of available slots. Students in grades 8–11 are eligible for all available slots. 


Should an opening occur after the initial January/February offerings, the SCAPA Lafayette GT Facilitator will review the waiting list and will contact the student being offered placement. Openings may happen at any time prior to the beginning of the school year or during the school year.


How are the SCAPA classes worked into the regular school day?

Lafayette High School operates on an alternating block schedule. Each student takes four (4) 85-minute classes each day with A and B alternating days (four different classes on each day). This gives each student the opportunity to take eight (8) classes per school year. Two (2) of these classes are the SCAPA classes. The remaining six (6) classes consist of graduation requirements and electives.


SCAPA classes are scheduled during the regular school day. Lafayette school hours are 8:25 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Because SCAPA occurs during the school day, the full range of extra-curricular activities available at Lafayette is open to all SCAPA students. Our students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular and athletic opportunities at Lafayette.


How many students attend SCAPA Lafayette?

SCAPA Lafayette typically has 300–320 students in any given year.


I am interested in Lafayette's Pre-Engineering Program. Can I do both?

Yes! It is possible for students to participate in both programs. SCAPA Lafayette and Lafayette Pre-Engineering are premiere programs in FCPS and while they are both rigorous and challenging programs, we have a number of students accepted to and graduate as participants in both programs each year. As many as 20% of SCAPA students are also enrolled in the Pre-Engineering program.


May I come and visit SCAPA?

Students who are interested in applying for the program and their families are encouraged to attend the Fall Audition/Application Informational Meeting so that they may meet and talk with the arts teachers and see the building. In order to minimize classroom interruptions or distractions and to preserve the quality of the learning environment, individual shadow visits are not allowed; however, appointments may be made to meet with the facilitator of SCAPA by emailing scapalafayette@fayette.kyschools.us.


After I am accepted, where can I find transportation information?

Transportation is provided per board policy. Students who are accepted to SCAPA Lafayette will need to request transportation if needed. Requests are typically due by the end of May. If you are not already in the Lafayette attendance area, your bus route may require you to transport your student to a dropoff and pickup location. More information on our SCAPA Transportation page.