Arts Charter High School Planned In Bensalem

BENSALEM, PA — Students in Lower Bucks County with an artistic bent should have a new high-school option next year.

TLC Bucks Arts Charter High School is set to open for the 2019-20 school year at 1000 Northbrook Drive in Bensalem. The group behind the new school, which has already pre-enrolled dozens of students, has presented a charter application to the Bensalem Township School Board.

The board will hold a hearing some time between now and Nov. 10 and, under state law, will make a final decision on the application within 75 days of that hearing.

If approved, the arts school will offer majors in the areas of dance, figure skating, music, theater, literary arts and visual arts. Students will spend half of their day studying in their major area of interest. The proposed building has four floors and includes three dance studios, a performance space, a music room, an art room and multiple rooms for classes and office space.

Officials with TLC Arts, LLC expect at least 250 9th-12th graders for the school's first year, with a maximum capacity of 450 students.

"Part of my philosophy is smaller is better,” said Thomas Lubben, TLC Arts founder and CEO. "Nobody will get lost in our school."

In the past 20 years, Lubben has opened four arts-focused charter schools in the Lehigh Valley. The high school in Bethlehem draws from 45 school districts, including some in Bucks County. His group says the proposed Bensalem site has drawn interest from students in more than 20 nearby school districts.

TLC Buck Arts would require 32 credits to graduate — more than a traditional high school.

"We hold ourselves to national artistic standards," Lubben said. "We’re really teaching at almost the
collegiate level."

Like traditional public schools, charter schools are tuition-free and open to the public. Interested students may sign a non-binding pre-enrollment now, but acceptance to the school would hinge on a successful audition.

Those who live within 10 miles of the school would be eligible to ride a school bus. Others may attend, but would be responsible for their own transportation.

The group will be holding a series of information sessions at the proposed school site. They are set for 2 p.m. on Oct. 14, 21 and 28, all Sundays. The public is invited to attend any of the sessions to tour the site and learn more about the school.

For more information, visit the school's website.

Photos courtesy TLC Arts, LLC