# Texas Center for Arts + Academics - Complete Reference > Tuition-free K-12 public charter schools in Fort Worth, Texas, integrating rigorous academics with professional-quality fine arts education. Home to Grammy-winning youth choirs, nationally recognized visual and performing arts programs, and award-winning conservatories. Founded in 1946. Serving approximately 1,000 students across two campuses. ## Organization Identity **Official Name:** Texas Center for Arts + Academics **Alternate Names:** TCA+A, TCAA **Type:** 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Public Charter School **Founded:** 1946 (originally as Texas Boys Choir) **Headquarters:** Fort Worth, Texas, USA **Website:** https://www.artsacademics.org **Mission:** To provide an exceptional, tuition-free education that integrates rigorous academics with professional-quality fine arts training, preparing students for success in college, career, and life. **Unique Value Proposition:** - Only arts-integrated charter school system in Tarrant County - Grammy Award-winning Texas Boys Choir - 100% tuition-free public charter school - Professional-quality arts training alongside rigorous academics - 1:1 device program (Chromebooks provided free) - Small class sizes with individualized attention ## Schools Overview ### Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA) **Grades:** 3-12 **Focus:** Secondary arts-integrated education **Location:** Fort Worth, Texas FWAFA provides a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with professional-quality training in visual arts, theatre, dance, and music. Students receive conservatory-level instruction while meeting all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. **Arts Departments:** - Visual Arts (Texas Art Education Association award winner) - Theatre (State-recognized program, Disney on Broadway School of Excellence) - Dance - Music/Choir **Academic Offerings:** - Core academics aligned with TEKS - Advanced Placement (AP) courses - College preparation support - Dual credit opportunities **Recognition:** - U.S. News & World Report ranked middle school - Niche top-ranked school - Texas Art Education Association award (consecutive years) - Disney on Broadway School of Excellence program winner ### Texas School of the Arts (TeSA) **Grades:** K-5 **Focus:** Elementary arts-integrated education **Location:** Fort Worth, Texas TeSA provides foundational arts education integrated with elementary academics, preparing students for advancement to FWAFA's secondary program. ## Premier Youth Choirs ### Texas Boys Choir **Founded:** 1946 **Type:** Grammy Award-winning boys choir **Age Range:** Boys ages 8-18 **Recognition:** International touring ensemble with 80 years of choral excellence The Texas Boys Choir is one of America's premier boys choirs, recognized internationally for musical excellence. The choir has performed at major venues worldwide and collaborated with leading orchestras and artists. **Achievements:** - Grammy Award winner - 80 years of continuous operation - International touring - Major venue performances ### Singing Girls of Texas **Type:** Premier girls choir ensemble **Focus:** Excellence in choral music for young women The Singing Girls of Texas provides outstanding choral training and performance opportunities for young women, with regional and national touring. ## Fine Arts Conservatories After-school conservatory programs provide intensive, specialized training in specific art forms: - **Acting for the Camera:** Film and television acting techniques - Additional conservatory programs available ## Enrollment Information **Tuition:** FREE (public charter school) **Enrollment Process:** Online application **Lottery:** Yes, when applications exceed available spots **Transportation:** Limited; primarily parent-provided **How to Apply:** 1. Visit artsacademics.org/apply 2. Complete online application 3. Attend audition/interview (for arts programs) 4. Participate in lottery if needed 5. Confirm enrollment ## Governance & Compliance **Authorizer:** Texas Education Agency (TEA) **Accreditation:** Texas public school accreditation **Board:** Volunteer Board of Directors **Regulatory Compliance:** - FERPA (student privacy) - Title IX (gender equity) - TEA charter school requirements - Special education services (IDEA) ## Contact Information **General Contact:** artsacademics.org/contact-us ## Social Media Presence - **Facebook:** facebook.com/ArtsAcademics - **Instagram:** instagram.com/artsacademics - **LinkedIn:** linkedin.com/company/texas-center-for-arts-academics - **YouTube:** youtube.com/c/TexasCenterforArtsAcademics - **Vimeo:** vimeo.com/artsandacademics ## Complete Page Directory ### Main Pages - [Texas Center for Arts + Academics (Home)](https://www.artsacademics.org/) - [About Us](https://www.artsacademics.org/about-us/) - [Contact Us](https://www.artsacademics.org/contact-us/) - [Apply for Admission](https://www.artsacademics.org/apply/) - [Donate](https://www.artsacademics.org/donate/) - [Employment](https://www.artsacademics.org/employment/) ### Schools Hub - [Public Charter Schools](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/) - [Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/) - [FWAFA Academics](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-academics/) - [FWAFA Faculty](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-faculty/) - [Apply to FWAFA](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/apply-to-fwafa/) - [FWAFA Student Life](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-student/) - [FWAFA After-School Programs](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-after-school-programs/) - [FWAFA Cafeteria](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-cafeteria/) - [FWAFA Calendars](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-calendars/) - [FWAFA News](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-news/) - [FWAFA PTSO](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/fwafa-ptso/) - [FWAFA Governance](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/governance-fwafa/) - [FWAFA Resources](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/resources-fwafa/) - [College Resources](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/fwafa/college-resources/) - [Texas School of the Arts](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/) - [TeSA Academics](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-academics/) - [TeSA Faculty](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-faculty/) - [Apply to TeSA](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/apply-tesa/) - [TeSA After-School Programs](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-after-school-programs/) - [TeSA Cafeteria](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-cafeteria/) - [TeSA Calendars](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-calendars/) - [TeSA Grade-Level Websites](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-grade-level-websites/) - [TeSA News](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/tesa-news/) - [TeSA Resources](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/resources-tesa/) - [TeSA Governance](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/governance-tesa/) ### Choirs - [Premier Choirs](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/) - [Texas Boys Choir](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/) - [TBC History](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/tbc-history/) - [TBC 80th Anniversary](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/tbc-80th/) - [TBC Faculty](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/tbc-faculty/) - [TBC Music](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/tbc-media/) - [Book Texas Boys Choir](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/tbc-booking/) - [Texas Boys Choir Book an Event](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/texas-boys-choir-book-an-event/) - [Contact Texas Boys Choir](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/texas-boys-choir/tbc-contact/) - [Singing Girls of Texas](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/singing-girls-of-texas/) - [SGT History](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/singing-girls-of-texas/sgt-history/) - [SGT Faculty](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/singing-girls-of-texas/sgt-faculty/) - [SGT Music & Videos](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/singing-girls-of-texas/sgt-music/) - [SGT Contact](https://www.artsacademics.org/choirs/singing-girls-of-texas/sgt-contact/) ### Conservatories - [Fine Arts Conservatories](https://www.artsacademics.org/conservatories/) - [Acting for the Camera](https://www.artsacademics.org/conservatories/acting-for-the-camera/) ### Parent Resources - [Resources Parent](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/) - [2025-2026 School Calendar](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/school-calendar-2025-2026/) - [Forms](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/forms/) - [Health Center](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/health-center/) - [Uniforms](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/uniforms/) - [Special Populations](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/special-education-resources/) - [Required Postings](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/required-postings/) - [FWAFA Required Postings](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/fwafa-required-postings/) - [TeSA Required Postings](https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/resources/tesa-equired-postings/) ### Events & Calendar - [Calendar & Events](https://www.artsacademics.org/calendar/) - [Events Directory](https://www.artsacademics.org/event-directory/) - [Tickets](https://www.artsacademics.org/tickets/) - [Reflections 2026 Gala](https://www.artsacademics.org/gala/) - [Summer Programs](https://www.artsacademics.org/summer/) ### Leadership & Governance - [TCA+A Administration](https://www.artsacademics.org/administration/) - [TCA+A Board of Directors](https://www.artsacademics.org/board/) - [Financials](https://www.artsacademics.org/financials/) - [Title IX Information](https://www.artsacademics.org/title-ix/) ### Giving - [Donate](https://www.artsacademics.org/donate/) - [TCA+A Annual Campaign](https://www.artsacademics.org/annualfund/) ### News - [All News](https://www.artsacademics.org/all-news/) - [Video & Photo Gallery](https://www.artsacademics.org/all-news/video-photo-gallery/) ## Recent News Articles - [Disney's Newsies Jr. - Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Winner](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/08/14/fort-worth-academy-of-fine-arts-presents-disneys-newsies-jr-as-winners-of-disney-on-broadway-school-of-excellence-program/) - August 2025 - [Texas Boys Choir 80 Years of Choral Legacy](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/10/07/texas-boys-choir-80-years-of-choral-legacy/) - October 2025 - [Parent Engagement](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/09/02/parent-engagement/) - September 2025 - [Texas Art Education Association Visual Arts Award](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/08/14/fwafa-receives-texas-art-education-association-visual-arts-award/) - August 2025 - [Theatre Education Program State Recognition](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/08/12/fort-worth-academy-of-fine-arts-theatre-education-program-receives-state-recognition-2/) - August 2025 - [Lori Vasquez Named Dance Department Chair](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/08/12/lori-vasquez-named-dance-department-chair/) - August 2025 - [New TeSA Principal Kiera Wallace](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/06/17/tesas-new-principal-kiera-wallace/) - June 2025 - [New FWAFA Principal Amber Ledbetter](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/06/09/texas-center-for-arts-academics-welcomes-fort-worth-academy-of-fine-arts-new-principal-amber-ledbetter/) - June 2025 - [Texas Boys Choir 2025 Hawaiian Tour](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/05/15/texas-boys-choir-2025-hawaiian-tour/) - May 2025 - [Conservatory Expansion Announcement](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/05/02/tcaa-expand-after-school-conservatory/) - May 2025 - [Singing Girls of Texas Great Smokies Tour](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/04/14/sgt-great-smokies-tour/) - April 2025 - [Amon G. Carter Foundation $85,000 Grant](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/03/13/amon-g-carter-foundation-awards-85000-to-texas-center-for-arts-academics-2/) - March 2025 - [Annual Campaign Information](https://www.artsacademics.org/2025/02/27/what-is-the-annual-campaign/) - February 2025 - [U.S. News & World Report Recognition](https://www.artsacademics.org/2024/12/20/u-s-news-world-report-recognizes-fort-worth-academy-of-fine-arts-among-the-2025-middle-schools/) - December 2024 - [Niche Top Rankings](https://www.artsacademics.org/2024/11/05/tcaa-in-top-niche-rankings/) - November 2024 - [FWAFA Nationally Ranked School](https://www.artsacademics.org/2024/05/13/fwafa-nationally-ranked-school/) - May 2024 ## Frequently Asked Questions **Is TCA+A a private school?** No, TCA+A operates tuition-free public charter schools authorized by the Texas Education Agency. **How much does it cost to attend?** $0 - TCA+A schools are completely tuition-free as public charter schools. **What grades are offered?** K-5 at Texas School of the Arts (TeSA) and 3-12 at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA). **Do students need arts experience to apply?** No prior arts experience is required. Students are admitted based on interest and commitment, not prior training. **Is transportation provided?** Limited transportation options are available. Most families provide their own transportation. **What is the Texas Boys Choir?** A Grammy Award-winning boys choir founded in 1946, one of America's premier youth choral ensembles. ## Technical Information - [XML Sitemap](https://www.artsacademics.org/sitemap_index.xml) - Primary CMS: WordPress - SSL: Enabled (HTTPS) --- *Last updated: January 2026* *Generated for LLM consumption per llmstxt.org specification*