Business Details
8 Years
experience
Tuition-Free Charter School with Performing Arts Focus
Founded in 2018, Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in Lake Elsinore and surrounding communities. Our institution was established by Tanya Lee-Taylor, whose vision combined her great aunt Julia Lee's musical legacy with a commitment to integrating performing arts into academic excellence. With leadership from our experienced principal and certified teaching staff, we provide a values-based education that emphasizes mutual respect, responsibility, and integrity while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Our curriculum uniquely blends college-preparatory academics with music, dance, and theater programs, fostering creativity and critical thinking. We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and implement evidence-based assessments like MAP Growth to track student progress.As a charter school authorized by the Riverside County Board of Education, we operate under California's educational framework while maintaining innovative flexibility. Our inclusive approach celebrates diverse student backgrounds and abilities, offering individualized education plans and differentiated instruction. Through partnerships with local organizations and community stakeholders, we create a supportive ecosystem for student development. Our commitment to 21st-century learning incorporates modern technologies and professional development for educators. We adhere strictly to state and federal educational regulations while maintaining transparent communication with families through digital platforms and regular updates.
Services
College-Preparatory Classes
Music Instruction
Dance Education
Theater Arts
Individualized Education Programs
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- We offer certified educators with specialized training in arts-integrated education
- Our small class sizes ensure personalized student attention and support
- We maintain strict adherence to California's educational standards while innovating through arts integration
- Our values-based curriculum emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence
- We provide individualized education plans for diverse student needs and abilities
What people say
Unique curriculum
Dedicated teachers
Supportive environment
Arts integration
Personal attention
Services
College-Preparatory Classes
Our college-preparatory curriculum follows California state standards while integrating performing arts elements. Certified teachers use differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Regular assessments track student progress and inform individualized learning plans.
Music Instruction
Students receive comprehensive music education including theory, performance, and history. Programs include ensemble participation and showcase opportunities. Instruction aligns with state arts standards while fostering creativity and self-expression.
Dance Education
Our dance curriculum covers multiple styles including ballet, modern, and hip-hop. Classes emphasize technique development, choreography, and performance opportunities. Programs are designed to build physical coordination and artistic expression.
Theater Arts
Theater arts instruction includes acting, stage production, and playwriting. Students participate in annual performances and develop skills in public speaking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving through dramatic arts.
Individualized Education Programs
We provide tailored education plans for students with diverse learning needs. Our inclusive approach combines specialized instruction with mainstream classroom integration. Services follow IEP guidelines while maintaining high academic expectations.
People
Tanya Lee-Taylor
Founder and CEO
Inspired by her great aunt Julia Lee's musical legacy, Tanya established this charter school to combine arts education with academic excellence. With extensive community leadership experience, she guides the school's vision and strategic direction.
Shellie Dansby
Principal
With over 25 years in education, Shellie brings extensive leadership experience as principal and school counselor. Holding advanced degrees in organizational leadership, she oversees academic operations and staff development while maintaining hands-on student engagement.
Questions
What grades does Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy serve?
We serve students from Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Is there a tuition fee for enrollment?
No, we are a tuition-free public charter school.
What performing arts programs are offered?
We offer music, dance, and theater programs integrated with academic curriculum.
How are teachers qualified at this school?
All our teachers are state-certified with specialized training in arts-integrated education.
What is the enrollment process?
Applications are accepted year-round with a lottery held annually in March.
Reviews (5)
Kayla Soltz
Jun 26, 2021
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Love this school. Transferring my son here has been one of the best choices I have made. Even through the pandemic he improved so much academically. I highly recommend this school. Teachers actual care about the kids and helo them strive.
Jesus Rico
Mar 17, 2021
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This school is a joke . Both children that attended this school are now behind in most areas of education as well as socially. The professionalism or lack there of the staff, Should be addressed ASAP. The planning of the school year was and is a joke . So glad we left . I do not recommend this school at all.
Vero Cisneroa
Mar 03, 2021
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Love the school and staff. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. My kids love their teachers and love going to school and even love being at their zoom classes. I would highly recommend Juila Lee Performing Arts Academy!!!
S. C. Prom
Mar 01, 2021
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My son has attended JLPAA since TK. The teachers and staff are amazing! This has been such a different and more positive experience than Ive had with my other kids who attended public school. Even while we are doing on-line school, teachers and staff have been available to us! We not only have normal academic classes, but also music and dance thru the week.
Monique Ramsey
Feb 25, 2021
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Putting our daughter in Julia Lee was the best decision weve ever made for her education. The teachers are phenomenal, they always go above and beyond. If they notice an area of difficulty for your child, they communicate that with you right away and take steps to ensure success. My daughters test scores have gone up so much since starting at Julia Lee. Having performing arts has been a wonderful addition too. Between band, choir, dance and theater, there is always something to spark interest and creativity. Its also so nice to have a front office staff who is friendly and helpful. The principal
