The Lehigh Valley Charter HSfor the Arts has once again been recognized among the best schools in Pennsylvania, earning an Overall A+ grade in Niche’s 2026 Best High Schools Rankings. Niche is a third-party ranking system for K-12 schools and colleges that combines official data with user reviews to create an overall grade and ranking. According to its website, Niche grades and rankings are calculated by a team of experts using dozens of public data sets and millions of real reviews.

The school received several top honors:

• #1 Charter High School in PA

• #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA

• #16 Best Public High Schools in PA

Notably, Charter Arts is the only charter school in Pennsylvania to rank in Niche’s Top 50 Public High Schools statewide.

This recognition highlights the school’s unique blend of rigorous academics and nationally recognized arts education, creating an environment where students thrive. “Our A+ Niche grade affirms that Charter Arts students benefit from both intellectual rigor and creative innovation – preparing them for success in college, careers, and beyond,” said Executive Director & CEO, Dr. Christina Lincoln.

This accolade follows the school’s recent recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 Best High Schools Rankings, released earlier this fall. The school earned the #5 spot on the list of Top 10 Charter Schools in Pennsylvania.

Opened in 2003, Charter Arts is an audition-based public charter school, funded by Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars, which provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a dedicated passion for the creative or performing arts. Students major in one of seven artistic areas: Dance, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Production Arts, Theatre, Visual arts, or Vocal Music.

Having served more than 2500 students from 40 school districts across 11 counties during its 23 year history, Charter Arts continues to demonstrate that a public charter school can achieve exceptional outcomes in both academics and the arts.

Lincoln shares: “Our placement among Pennsylvania’s top schools reflects the impact of student-centered learning.” She adds; “Of course, excellence at Charter Arts is not just measured in rankings – it lives in the balance of rigorous academics and world-class arts training that empowers our students every day.”

The school’s impressive Advanced Placement (AP) exam statistics, Keystone Exam statistics, SAT scores, prestigious artistic accolades, and graduation rate, are testaments to the outstanding education that Charter Arts provides.

In addition to its innovative curriculum, the school’s location- nestled in Bethlehem’s vibrant Southside Arts District- provides a dynamic backdrop for creative learning. “The community is our campus at Charter Arts,” says Lincoln. “Our students thrive in an environment and a community where every young artist-scholar finds their voice, builds mastery, and creates the framework for a strong future.”

The school will begin holding auditions for the 2026-27 school year on January 30, Feb. 13, and Feb. 14, 2026. Any student entering 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade, who resides in Pennsylvania is eligible to audition.

Prospective students and families who are interested in learning more about Charter Arts’ curriculum, artistic disciplines, and admissions process are encouraged to attend a Virtual Information Session on Nov. 3, 2025 or an in-person Open House event on Dec. 5, 2025. RSVP is required. Learn more at CharterArts.org.

Charter Arts is located at 321 E. Third St., Bethlehem. For more information visit CharterArts.org.

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