Trollwood Mentorship Program

The Trollwood Mentorship Program is a unique educational initiative for FPS students in grades 9-12 that combines accredited academic instruction with specialized performing arts mentorship. A collaborative effort between Trollwood Performing Arts School and Fargo Public Schools Virtual Academy, the program provides a comprehensive educational experience that allows students to excel both academically and artistically at an individualized pace.

Instructional Components

Academic Instruction

  • Platform: All academic courses are delivered through Fargo Public Schools Virtual Academy, allowing for a flexible and personalized learning experience.
  • Courses: Students will enroll in core academic subjects like Math, English, Science, and Social Studies, as well as elective courses that align with their interests.
  • Assessment: Regular evaluations and assessments will be conducted to monitor academic progress, ensuring that students meet the educational standards set by Fargo Public Schools.

Artistic Training

  • Venue: Specialized artistic training will be held at the Bluestem Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art facility.
  • Curriculum: Students will benefit from a wide range of workshops, masterclasses, performance opportunities and projects designed to hone their skills in various aspects of the performing arts.
  • Mentorship: Each student will receive personalized coaching and mentorship to help them refine their craft and explore new artistic avenues.

Role of the Student Mentor

Each student is paired with a Student Mentor. The Student Mentor serves as the linchpin of the program, responsible for overseeing students’ overall development. This includes:

  • Coordinating academic and artistic schedules to ensure a balanced educational experience.
  • Facilitating opportunities for specialized training, internships, and community performances.
  • Acting as the primary liaison between parents, students, educators, and the community.

A Potential Day in the Life of a Student

  1. Morning: Students start their day by logging into the Virtual Academy to attend live or pre-recorded academic classes.
  2. Midday: Transition to the Bluestem Center for specialized workshops or training sessions in their chosen performing art specialty.
  3. Afternoon: Engage in collaborative projects, rehearse for upcoming performances, or work on individual artistic assignments.
  4. Evening: Complete any remaining academic assignments or projects, participate in virtual study groups, or engage in self-paced learning.

Key Benefits

For Students

  • Develop artistic talent and academic skills side by side.
  • Get a head start on a career in the performing arts.
  • Benefit from personalized mentoring and real-world opportunities.

For Parents

  • Ensure child receives a balanced, accredited education.
  • Stay informed about child’s progress through regular updates.
  • Invest in your child’s future with a program that nurtures both mind and talent.

This integrated instructional model provides a robust and balanced educational journey, enabling students to pursue their passion for the performing arts without compromising their academic goals. It offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility and resources of virtual academic instruction, coupled with the hands-on, immersive experience of specialized artistic training.

Informational Meeting held December 3, 2023

Shawn Brekke - Student Talent Mentor

I am genuinely excited about the creative possibilities generated from the collaboration of Trollwood Performing Arts School with the Virtual Academy at Fargo Public Schools. This is an opportunity to enrich the experiences of Virtual Academy students as they dive deeply into the performing arts programming and offerings of Trollwood Performing Arts School throughout the school year.

At the core of this program is a personalized experience that caters to the goals and aspirations of the student. So whether a student’s passion lies in performing their own songs, the drama of the stage, or creativity behind a camera, I’m set to guide each student along a customized path that’s distinctive from others.

The ultimate goal is to provide each student with personalized support through industry and educational professionals who are eager to help them achieve their individual artistic ambitions.

– Shawn Brekke, Student Mentor

This unique initiative, a collaboration between Trollwood Performing Arts School and Fargo Public Schools Virtual Academy, offers an exceptional blend of accredited academics and customized performing arts training and mentorship. To secure your spot, please complete this commitment form. This program provides a harmonious balance between virtual academic flexibility and customized artistic training, giving you the best of both worlds. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock your full potential in academics and the performing arts. Join us on this transformative journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

The overarching goal of the Trollwood Mentorship Program is to cultivate artistic passion and excellence in a supportive, collaborative environment that complements traditional education. By offering customized programming, personalized mentorship, and specialized training at Bluestem Center for the Arts, the Academy aims to nurture each student’s unique talents and aspirations. It provides a haven for students who may not thrive in conventional school settings, supporting their social and academic development through real-world artistic applications, one-on-one mentorship, and community engagement, thus ensuring a comprehensive education that balances academic rigor through the FPS Virtual Academy with creative exploration.

The Trollwood Mentorship Program welcomes students from grades 9-12 for the 2024-2025 academic year. For those residing in North Dakota but outside the Fargo Public School (FPS) district, open enrollment is an option. Please note that the deadline for open enrollment is February 29.

Non-resident students, or those living outside the state of North Dakota, are also eligible to attend but are subject to out-of-state tuition fees. The tuition is set at $103.25 per day, which, over the course of the 175-day academic year, totals $18,068.75. In accordance with the North Dakota Century Code, tuition payments can be made in two installments: the first half is due at the start of the academic year, and the second half at the beginning of the second semester.

Yes, students at the Trollwood Mentorship Program are actively encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities at their home schools. This includes participation in various electives such as drama classes, choirs, and orchestras. We believe that involvement in these programs enriches the educational experience and allows students to maintain a well-rounded school life while benefiting from the specialized opportunities at Trollwood.

Attendance at the Trollwood Mentorship Program is free of charge for students residing within the Fargo Public School district or the state of North Dakota. For those outside of these areas, please refer to our enrollment information for details on tuition costs.

Absolutely, the Trollwood Mentorship Program is designed to be a nurturing platform for all students with a passion for the performing arts, regardless of their long-term career ambitions. The skills developed through the program—such as creativity, collaboration, discipline, and communication—are invaluable across a multitude of fields. Whether a student aspires to a career in the arts or in any other sector, the Trollwood Mentorship Program encompasses personalized mentorship and customized programming aimed to enrich their educational journey and prepare them for a variety of paths, fostering well-rounded individuals with a broad skill set.

The introduction of the Trollwood Mentorship Program is designed to complement and enhance the existing theater programs and classes at local schools, not compete with or diminish them. This new program aims to serve as an additional resource for students who have a keen interest in the performing arts, providing opportunities for specialized development alongside their current educational activities, whether through extracurricular activities or electives. By allowing students to engage in both the Trollwood Mentorship Program and their school’s offerings, we anticipate a cross-pollination of talent and inspiration that will benefit all programs. The presence of the Trollwood Mentorship Program should, in fact, enrich the cultural fabric of the local schools by contributing to a vibrant community of young artists and performers who remain active and engaged in their home schools’ arts programs.

The FPS Virtual Academy is an essential element of the Trollwood program, serving as the academic cornerstone that supports each student’s personalized arts pathway. As a mandatory aspect of the program, the Virtual Academy ensures that students meet their educational requirements through a flexible, online platform, which is designed to harmonize with the customized arts experiences offered at Trollwood. This integration allows students to excel academically while they explore and develop their artistic talents according to their individual aspirations and needs.

Because the program is being built upon a customized approach for students artistic needs, the artistic training is not credit earning. Through the Virtual Academy, students will earn credit toward graduation for all academic classes. AP courses are available through the FPS Virtual Academy.