History
BAVPA was founded in 1977 as a magnet school, based on a recent court order demanding that Buffalo desegregate its schools. It was originally located at School 87 (then known as Clinton Junior High School) located 333 Clinton Street in the Lower East Side of Buffalo. Due to size constraints, the school moved to its current location in 2007. The new building, located at 450 Masten Avenue in Buffalo, is the former home to Woodlawn Junior High School and Buffalo Traditional School. Prior to that, it was the site of Offermann Stadium.Former Principals
''Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses'' *Mr. Philip Lafornara–1977-1978 (Principal - unknown, died) *Mr. Elmer J. Schamber–1978-1985 (Principal - City Honors School, retired) *Mr. David W. Hess–1985-1991 (Assistant Principal - Riverside Institute of Technology, Riverside High School, named Acting Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education for Buffalo Public Schools) *Ms. Barbara A. Schnell–1991-1992 (Principal - Kensington Prep, named Principal of Buffalo Vocational Technical Center) *Mr. Ronald L. Meer–1992-1996 (Principal - Leonardo da Vinci High School (Buffalo, New York), Leonardo da Vinci High School, retired) *Mrs. Deborah A. Smith–1996-2000 (Program Coordinator - Buffalo Public Schools, named Principal of Buffalo Vocational Technical Center) *Mr. Kevin E. Kazmierczak–2000-2008 (Director of Instrumental Music Programs - Buffalo Public Schools, named Principal of Tonawanda High School) *Mr. Darren J. Brown–2008-2011 (Principal - Community School 53, named Executive Director for Human Resources for Buffalo Public Schools)Former Assistant Principals
*Mr. Henry J. Klee–1984-1990 (Principal - Bennett High School (Buffalo, New York), Bennett High School, retired) *Mr. Calvin J. Baxter–1992-1997 (Assistant Principal - South Park High School (Buffalo, New York), South Park High School, named Director of Humanities of Buffalo Public Schools) *Mr. Thaddeus W. Weselak–1997-2000 (Assistant Principal - Kensington High School (Buffalo, New York), Kensington High School, retired) *Mrs. Ramona Y. Thomas-Reynolds–2000-2002 (Administrative Intern - McKinley Vocational High School, named Principal of West Hertel Academy) *Mrs. Patricia J. Welch-Thomas–?-2005 (Art teacher - Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, named Principal of South Park High SchoolBuffalo Public Schools (2005, December 21).Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments
'.) *Ms. Wendy L. Richards–2002-2005 (Coordinator - Western New York School Support Center, named Assistant Principal of Grover Cleveland High School (Buffalo, New York), Grover Cleveland High School) *Dr. Eileen H. Czarnecki–2005-2014 (Assistant Principal - Grover Cleveland High School, retired) *Mr. Thomas C. Aquino–2005-2006 (Assistant Principal - Seneca Vocational High School, retiredBuffalo Public Schools (2006 May 10).
Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments
'.) *Mr. Larry J. Hunley–2005-2006 (Assistant Principal - Seneca Vocational High School, named Assistant Principal of Academy School 131Buffalo Public Schools (2006, November 1).
Meeting of the Board of Education: Administrative Appointments
'.) *Ms. Jody Covington–2006-2011 (Assistant Principal - Academy School 131, named Interim Principal of Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts)
Administration
Famous alumni
*Ani DiFranco (Class of 1986)
*Jesse L. Martin (Class of 1987)
*Robert Paterson (composer), Robert Paterson (Class of 1988)
*Lucky Peterson
*Alexis Spight
*Sir John Barnett (Class of 2000)
References
External links
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buffalo Academy For Visual And Performing Arts Magnet schools in New York (state) Magnet schools in Buffalo, New York Public high schools in New York (state) High schools in Buffalo, New York Public middle schools in New York (state)