West metro school briefs: Perpich Arts High School holds final informational session

Perpich holds final informational sessionThe Perpich Arts High School will hold its final informational session for high school sophomores and juniors from around the state who are interested in attending the two-year program for 11th and 12th grades. It will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Registration is not necessary.

The school, which has an arts-focused curriculum, is at 6125 Olson Highway in Golden Valley, just west of the Hwy. 100 interchange. The seven arts areas are dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, visual arts and artscience, a program beginning its second year that combines aesthetic and analytical ways of thinking. The school also has a residential hall for students from across the state.

The deadline for applications for next school year is Feb. 1. Students meeting admittance and arts criteria will be invited to interviews, with auditions or portfolio reviews at the school in March. Go to www.pcae.k12.mn.us.

Breck to host prospective familiesBreck School will put on an admissions open house for prospective students in preschool through 12th grade on Sunday. It will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the school, 123 Ottawa Av. N. in Golden Valley.

The event includes a campus tour, hands-on classroom activities, meetings with current teachers and information on the admissions process and financial aid. There also will be information on Breck's Upper School construction project to be done next school year that will house state-of-the-art facilities for science, math and technology, and the Melrose Center for Servant Leadership, which combines Breck's service learning and multicultural studies curriculums.

The deadline to apply for next school year is Feb. 1. Go to www.breckschool.org.

Jefferson show choirs hold fundraiserJefferson High School's show choirs will host their largest fundraiser of the year this weekend, with performances open to the public.

The event will include a performance by the Connection show choir, a 46-member co-ed choir accompanied by a 15-member band, and the JIVE show choir, an all-female performance group with 48 singers and 11 band members.

Family Center to have preschool open houseThe Bloomington and Richfield Early Childhood Family Center is having a preschool registration open house. It will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at three locations -- the Pond Center at 9600 3rd Av. S. in Bloomington, the Southwood Center at 4901 W. 112th St. in Bloomington, and Central School at 7145 Harriet Av. S. in Richfield.

The parents-only event includes meeting teachers, touring classrooms, learning about the curriculum and registering for fall preschool. To be eligible, children must be at least 3 years old by Sept. 1. Go to www.earlyed.info.

Blake School hosts admissions sessionsThe Blake School will host admissions information meetings Monday and Jan. 17. Administrators, faculty, current parents, students and alumni will be present to discuss school life, curriculum and activities.

The first open house, for ninth to 12th grades, will take place at 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Upper School, 511 Kenwood Parkway in Minneapolis. A second open house for pre-K grade 8 families interested in the Lower Schools or Middle School in Hopkins or Wayzata will take place from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Jan. 17 at 110 Blake Road S. in Hopkins.

International School has open houseThe International School of Minnesota will have a New Year Admission Open House on Sunday to give prospective families information about the Eden Prairie private school. It will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Families of children ages 3 through 12th grade can attend to receive a lunch and tour of the school. They will be able to meet with admissions representatives and school administrators.

Go to www.international schoolmn.com.

Holy Angels Academy presents open houseThe Academy of Holy Angels is hosting an open house for prospective students and their families next Wednesday.

The Richfield private Catholic school's open house includes a 6 p.m. social to meet faculty and staff, 6:30 p.m. opening program, 6:45 p.m. tours of the school and academic presentations, and 8 p.m. breakout sessions for parents and students to ask questions.

They are set for: Thursday at Anthony, 5757 Irving Av. S.; Tuesday at Northeast, 2955 Hayes St. NE.; Jan. 23 at Ramsey, 1 W. 49th St.; Jan. 29 at Anwatin, 256 Upton Av. S.; Jan. 31 at Sanford, 3524 42nd Av. S.; and Feb. 5 at Olson, 1607 51st Av. N.

Middle school enrollment is automatic for current Minneapolis Public School students enrolled in a K-5 school. However, students who do not wish to be enrolled at their designated pathway, community or current middle school must submit a school request card by Feb. 19. Go to www.mpls.k12.mn.us.