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2025-2026 School Year Calendar Click to download 2025-2026 School Year Calendar

Create Yourself. Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School Discover CASA CASA Charter School is an Award-Winning School | ANNOUNCEMENTS | Applications for the 2026-2027 School Year are Open - Apply Today! Prospective Students - Register for our Dec. 11 Open House! Mid-Year Performances - Save the Date! CASA Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2025-28 Comprehensive Documents open for public review More Announcements The Children's Health Insurance Program — or CHIP — is Pennsylvania's program to provide health coverage to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medicaid/Medical Assistance. Regardless of the reasons your children might not have health insurance, CHIP may be able to help you. For more information, please go to https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/chip Student Life Every school day, 200 artistically and academically talented students in the Central Pennsylvania area travel to Strawberry Square in Harrisburg to pursue an extraordinary opportunity. Passionate about their artistic expression, students attending CASA are willing to step out of the mainstream to create themselves and to produce great art. CASA continues to be the significant and innovative provider of multi-disciplinary arts and academic programs in the central PA region. Our downtown location places CASA in the heart of Harrisburg's arts district and provides students a living classroom with architectural, governmental, environmental, and urban inspiration. Student Information Admissions CASA has built on its foundation as the area’s only intensive high school arts education program. CASA offers a full-day high school program for 9th through 12th grade students from 30 Central PA school districts engaged in rigorous academic studies and arts education in one of six disciplines: dance, visual arts, film and video, theatre, creative writing and music . Each student must audition for one of the six different arts areas offered for acceptance into the school. Apply Today NEWS & EVENTS Prospective Students - Register to attend an Open House! Employment Opportunities at CASA Invest in the future of CASA! Read All News Create Yourself... Take a closer look at CASA QUICK LINKS

2026 Mid-Year Performances THEATRE MID-YEAR EVENT Friday, January 9 | 6:30-8:00 PM Gamut Theatre CREATIVE WRITING MID-YEAR EVENT Tuesday, January 13 | 6:00-8:00 PM Midtown Scholar Bookstore FILM & MEDIA MID-YEAR EVENT Thursday, January 15 | 6:00-8:00 PM West Shore Theatre VISUAL ART MID-YEAR GALLERY at CASA GRADES 11-12 : Friday, January 23 | 6:00 -7:30 PM GRADES 9-10 : Friday, January 30 | 6:00-7:30 PM MUSIC MID-YEAR EVENT Tuesday, January 27 | 7:00 PM Penn State Harrisburg Kulkarni Theater DANCE MID-YEAR EVENT Friday, January 30 | 7:00 PM Penn State Harrisburg Kulkarni Theater

Apply for the 2026-2027 School Year The 2026-2027 Application will be available October 1, 2025. CASA Charter School offers a rigorous, standards-based academic curriculum alongside classes in creative writing, dance, film and media arts, music, theatre and visual arts for students in 9th through 12th grade. Each student must audition for one of the six different arts areas offered for acceptance into the school. The Audition Application contains all the necessary information a student will need to submit an application for audition. Creative Writing Audition Info Music Audition Info Dance Audition Info Theatre Audition Info Film & Media Audition Info Visual Arts Audition Info

ANNOUNCEMENTS CASA will be operating on a two hour delay schedule on Wednesday, December 3rd due to inclement weather. Applications for the 2026-2027 School Year are Open - Apply Today! Prospective Students - Register for an Upcoming Open House! 2025-28 Comprehensive Documents open for public review Upcoming Virtual Learning Day: December 12 View the 2025-2026 School Calendar 2025-2026 Back to School Info - Find all the info here for Back to School! Employment Opportunities for the 2025-2026 School Year. Invest in the Future of CASA! CASA has been recognized as a 2024 Best School by Niche! CASA Apollo Awards - See our student's achievements! Emergency Closure Information / Inclement Weather - 2024-2025 School Year. Flexible Instruction Days Follow us on Facebook -- Click to Like our Page! Professional Development Plan 22-25 Public Review Induction Plan 22-25 Public Review Academic Standards & Assessments 22-25 Public Review COVID-19 Screening Tool - Students and Staff CASA featured in Harrisburg Magazine Student Services Assurances 22-25 Public Review CASA Charter Renewal Commemorative Book Future Ready PA Index ESSA Federal Report

Apply for the 2026-2027 School Year CASA Charter School offers a rigorous, standards-based academic curriculum alongside classes in creative writing, dance, film and media arts, music, theatre and visual arts for students in 9th through 12th grade. Each student must audition for one of the six different arts areas offered for acceptance into the school. The Audition Application contains all the necessary information a student will need to submit an application for audition. Application Timeline for the 2026-2027 School Year Application to Audition for the 2026-2027 School Year Creative Writing Audition Info Music Audition Info Dance Audition Info Theatre Audition Info Film & Media Audition Info Visual Arts Audition Info

Board of Trustees 2025-2026 Alicia McDonald, President - amcdonald@casa-arts.org Alicia McDonald recently retired from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) after 34 years of service. She started her career as a teacher of the deaf and moved into various administrative roles in curriculum and supervision, including the last 14 years serving as the Director of Student Services. In that role, she led a staff of over 425 educators and administrators and provided educational and leadership support to the school districts and charter schools in the tri-county area. Alicia has served on the Cumberland/Perry ARC Board, the Champions for Children Foundation Board, held an instructor position at Penn State Harrisburg, and led the PA state special education directors for the PA Association of Intermediate Units. She is passionate about service to the educational community and has been connected to CASA through her work in the CAIU as well as through support of community events. Alicia received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Bloomsburg University as well as post-secondary certificate courses from Penn State University and Millersville University. Alicia, and her wife Shawn Scott, reside in Dauphin County with two standard poodles and her parents have recently moved in to join the household. Christopher Healy , Vice President - chealy@casa-arts.org Christopher Healy is the President of Scott Healy & Associates, an executive search firm based in Harrisburg, PA, that specializes exclusively in higher education. Chrisopher has a daughter who graduated CASA in 2020, and his youngest daughter is a current student at CASA in the dance program. Christopher also served on the Londonderry School Board of Directors for 10 years while his children attended school there. Christopher lives in the Harrisburg, PA, area with his wife and family, and loves to read, cook, and play golf in his free time. Jennifer Mariacher, Treasurer - jmariacher@casa-arts.org Jennifer Mariacher is the Chief Financial Officer at Central Penn College in Summerdale. In this capacity, Jennifer oversees the Business and Financial Aid Office and is responsible for managing the daily financial operations and the strategic planning of the college. She is responsible for overseeing student accounts, payroll, accounts payable, contracts, purchasing card, accounting, financial aid, audit and budgeting. Jennifer has worked in financial operations in higher education for more than 20 years serving as a trusted advisor to the President in developing strategic operations, building successful team environments, serving students and providing the highest level of responsiveness and customer service, and implementing systems and providing training to all campus constituents. Jennifer earned her MBA from Elizabethtown College and holds her Certified Purchasing Professional credentials through the American Purchasing Society. Although Jennifer does not live in the immediate Harrisburg area, she feels it is important to engage with and get to know the community in which you work. She is a recent graduate of Leadership Harrisburg Area which only increased her philosophy of servant leadership. Her passion for supporting our youth to better their lives is evident in her career choice, and the organizations in which she commits her time and support. Jennifer has always been active in the districts in which her daughter attended and is now looking forward to supporting CASA in providing opportunities to youths in the area. Jennifer is also active in the Moose and Women of the Moose in her local community, an organization which is dedicated to caring for young and old, bringing their communities closer together, and celebrating life. Jennifer and her partner Tim Flaharty enjoy camping, kayaking, antiquing and traveling. They enjoy getting to know their new neighbors in their new hometown of Middleburg or exploring the local community. Emily Klauer Sullivan, Secretary - esullivan@casa-arts.org Emily Klauer Sullivan graduated from CASA’s music program in 2008, and she continued her musical education at York College of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Industry and Recording Technology. She says she owes a great deal of her professional success to her time at CASA and hopes to lend a unique perspective on the Board of Trustees as a CASA alumna. She has been with the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation since 2015, where she is currently the Director of Development, and she considers herself to be a health care “lifer”. In her role, she has the privilege of interfacing with grateful patients, talented frontline caregivers, and other non-profits throughout the region, which makes her job especially rewarding. Emily has recently returned to York College of Pennsylvania as a graduate student, pursuing a Master of Business Administration Degree. Emily resides in York with her husband and daughter, a dog, and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys live music, hiking, and spending as much time in the great outdoors with her family as possible. Dr. Michele Balliet - mballiet@casa-arts.org Dr. Michele Balliet is a visionary and results-driven leader with over 35 years of experience in public education, including nearly two decades in district administration. She retired in 2022 as Superintendent of the Elizabethtown Area School District, where she led with distinction for over a decade. Dr. Balliet is recognized for cultivating future-ready learning environments, steady and compassionate leadership through complex challenges, advancing student achievement, and building sustainable systems that ensure equity, access, and opportunity for all students. With a deep background in instructional leadership, professional development, and organizational design, Dr. Balliet has successfully guided large-scale strategic initiatives and led key construction and renovation projects across multiple school facilities. Her commitment to educational excellence is matched by her service to the broader community through previous leadership roles on boards with local and regional Chambers of Commerce, athletics, and advisory boards for career-ready education. Dr. Balliet holds a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Strategic Management from Drexel University, a Master of Education Degree in Academic Curriculum and Instruction from the Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Kutztown University. Since her retirement from public schools, Dr. Balliet continues to support public education through professional and leadership development, and strategic planning, for school districts/ educational organizations across Pennsylvania through her work as Director of Professional Development at the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. Elizabeth Mullaugh - emullaugh@casa-arts.org Elizabeth P. Mullaugh, known as Bebe, is an attorney with McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Her professional practice focuses on estate and tax planning for families and individuals, succession planning for closely held businesses, and trust and estate administration. Long interested in supporting the arts and young artists in the Harrisburg region, Bebe was a member of the Board of CASA Charter School at its founding in 2013, and currently serves as Treasurer for the CASA Charter School Foundation. Bebe has served on several non-profit boards over the years, including as board president of Harrisburg Young Professionals, Harrisburg Parks Partnership, the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania, and Concertante. She is currently a member of the board of the Harrisburg Symphony Association and a member of the Investment Advisory Committee of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Bebe lives in Harrisburg with her partner Jeff Lynch and two Standard Poodles. Christine Pavlakovich, SHRM-SCP - cpavlakovich@casa-arts.org Christine Pavlakovich (Christy) is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Centric Bank. In this capacity, Christy is responsible for managing the day to day and strategic operations of a multi-faceted HR department and as an ambassador of the Bank’s culture. Christy has worked as a human resource professional for more than 25 years developing and executing corporate strategies, building highly effective teams, driving sustainable programs that inspire a diverse workforce, and leading and influencing corporate-wide projects. Christy earned her Senior Certified Professional credential through the Society for Human Resource Management. Elizabeth Reusswig - ereusswig@casa-arts.org Elizabeth (Liz) Reusswig is a small business consultant based in Central Pennsylvania and co-owner of a home inspection company in Upstate New York. She is the proud parent of two CASA graduates and has been deeply involved with the school community for over a decade, serving on the CASA Foundation Board, CASA PTO, and as parent producer for five CASA musicals. Liz currently serves on the board of The Children’s Center in Camp Hill and has previously held board positions with several theatre companies and non-profits. She lives in Mechanicsburg, PA, with her husband, Dave, and enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Dr. Cheryl Rudawski - crudawski@casa-arts.org A lifelong learner and educator, Dr. Rudawski is personally committed to providing all students with high-quality instruction, equitable educational opportunities, and a safe, vibrant, and welcoming learning environment that fosters the success of every child. As the former principal at CASA, she has firsthand experience that CASA provides this educational atmosphere where students thrive through collaboration, innovation, and creativity. Dr. Rudawski has 39 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, consultant, supervisor, principal, and college professor. She holds a Doctoral Degree in K-12 Educational Leadership from Widener University, a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Shippensburg University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Lock Haven University. Since retiring from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, Dr. Rudawski has served as a Regional Program Lead for the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Program (PIL), which provides a professional education program for school systems leaders and is an Adjunct Professor at Widener University, teaching Instructional Leadership. She was honored to be a recipient of the Champion of Arts Education Award in 2014. Cheryl and her husband Michael are proud parents of three remarkable boys. Darby Valego- dvalego@casa-arts.org Darby Valego brings more than 25 years of professional experience in analytics, strategic planning, and business leadership to her role on the CASA Board. Currently serving as Global Director of Data and Analytics at The Hershey Company, she leads a worldwide team of 65 professionals and has overseen large-scale projects, including best-in-class data design for Hershey’s new ERP system. Her career also includes leadership roles at Nielsen, Carter’s & Osh Kosh B’Gosh, and Acuity Brands. Beyond her professional expertise, Darby is deeply committed to community service. She has served as President of the Endowment Trust Board for the Hershey Public Library, as a Citizen Advisor to the Derry Township School Board, and as a volunteer leader with the Milton Hershey School’s Project Fellowship program. Her passions for education, libraries, and community engagement reflect her dedication to creating opportunities and strengthening institutions that serve children and families. Darby earned her MBA in Marketing Strategy from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and her BBA in International Business from the University of Georgia. She is passionate about combining her professional skills in data, governance, and strategic planning with her heart for service to support CASA’s mission of nurturing the next generation of artists and leaders.

CASA Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who are committed to the mission and vision of the school. This group of community members, educators, artists, business people, and parents bring a range of relevant experience that will collectively meet the school's oversight needs. Board of Trustees Board Meeting Dates Budget Comprehensive Plan 2022-2025 Board Meeting Agendas Comprehensive Plan 2019-2022 Board Meeting Minutes Comprehensive Plan 2015-2018 Board Policies

Comprehensive Plan Documents for Public Review The Comprehensive Plan Documents for 2025-2028 are open for public review. Please send any comments to casa-ceo@casa-arts.org . Induction Plan Professional Development Plan

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes School Year 2025-2026 Aug 2025 Sept 2025 Oct 2025 Nov 2025 Dec 2025 Jan 2026 Feb 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 School Year 2024-2025 July 2024 Aug 2024 Sept 2024 Oct 2024 Nov 2024 Dec 2024 Jan 2025 Feb 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 School Year 2023-2024 July 2023 Aug 2023 Sept 2023 Oct 2023 Nov 2023 Dec 2023 Jan 2024 Feb 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 School Year 2022-2023 Aug 2022 Sept 2022 Oct 2022 Nov 2022 Dec 2022 Jan 2023 Feb 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 School Year 2021-2022 Aug 2021 Sept 2021 Oct 2021 Nov 2021 Dec 2021 Jan 2022 Feb 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 School Year 2020-2021 July 2020 Aug 2020 Sept 2020 Oct 2020 Nov 2020 Dec 2020 Jan 2021 Feb 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 School Year 2019-2020 Aug 2019 Jan 2020 Sept 2019 Feb 2020 Oct 2019 March 2020 Nov 2019 April 2020 Dec 2019 May 2020 June 2020 School Year 2018-2019 Aug 2018 Sept 2018 Oct 2018 Nov 2018 Dec 2018 Jan 2019 Feb 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 Special Board Meeting, April 2019 School Year 2017-2018 Aug 2017 Sept 2017 Oct 2017 Nov 2017 Jan 2018 Feb 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 Special Board Meeting, April 2018 School Year 2016-2017 July 2016 Aug 2016 Sept 2016 Oct 2016 Nov 2016 Dec 2016 Jan 2017 Feb 2017 March 2017 April 017 May 2017 June 2017 School Year 2015-2016 July 2015 Aug 2015 Sept 2015 Oct 2015 Dec 2015 Jan 2016 Feb 2016 March 2016 May 2016 June 2016 Nov 2015 April 2016 School Year 2014-2015 Aug 2014 Sept 2014 Oct 2014 Nov 2014 Dec 2014 Jan 2015 Feb 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 School Year 2013-2014 July 2013 Aug 2013 Sept 2013 Oct 2013 Nov 2013 Dec 2013 Jan 2014 Feb 2014 March 2014 May 2014 June 2014

Winter Keystone Exams Winter Keystone Examinations begin on January 4, 2024. Keystone Exams are administered in the areas of English Literature, Algebra I, and Biology. The purpose of these tests is to provide a measure of performance for both our students and our school, and to fulfill Pennsylvania’s responsibility under Chapter 4 Regulations and federal accountability requirements. Keystone Exam scores also lead to one of the newly implemented statewide graduation paths. Remediation classes will be recommended for non-proficient students if they have not already been taken. Keystone Exam Letter Keystone Electronics Policy

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