Institute for the Creative Arts High School

Institute for the Creative Arts High School We are the first immersive arts public high school in the state of Arkansas! Music, dance, theatre, film, and so much more!

09/25/2026

Nutcracker auditions are TOMORROW!!✨

Check below for your audition time and head to waballet.org for more details.

Age 5: 10:00am-11:00am (Nutcracker Only)
Ages 6-8: 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages 9-11: 12:15pm-2:15 pm
Ages 12 & up: 2:30pm-4:00pm

We cannot wait to see you there!

Cafeteria Menus for October! 🎃
09/24/2026

Cafeteria Menus for October! 🎃

Proud of our school!!!
09/23/2026

Proud of our school!!!

Community School of the Arts is proud to announce that the Institute for the Creative Arts High School, the tuition-free public charter high school CSA sponsors, has been recognized as an Arkansas Gem School for the 2025-2026 school year. The honor is awarded by the Arkansas Department of Education....

Enrollment is still open at Fort Smith's only Creative Arts High School! Come check out our programs in Art, Music, Thea...
09/23/2026

Enrollment is still open at Fort Smith's only Creative Arts High School! Come check out our programs in Art, Music, Theater, and Dance.

We are proud to announce that the Institute for the Creative Arts High School has been recognized as a 2025-2026 Arkansa...
09/22/2026

We are proud to announce that the Institute for the Creative Arts High School has been recognized as a 2025-2026 Arkansas Gem School by the Arkansas Department of Education! Arkansas Department of Education

This year, ICA showed significant achievement and growth: a sign of stronger instruction and real, meaningful progress for our students. Congratulations to our students and teachers on this accomplishment. You earned it.

09/17/2026

Tickets for our fall show, Shall We Dance: Dances to the Music of Tony Bennett, are for sale!

Bringing class and excitement to the stage, this one-of-a-kind show is one you don’t want to miss!

Head to the link below for tickets!

https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/9123/westernarkansasballet

Photo: Aaron Hartsfield Photography

Highest student growth rates in the state of Arkansas.The Institute for the Creative Arts High School is OFFICIALLY an A...
09/17/2026

Highest student growth rates in the state of Arkansas.

The Institute for the Creative Arts High School is OFFICIALLY an A school! 🎉

We are so proud. Growth doesn't measure who walked in the door "already ahead." It measures how far our students traveled. Ours traveled further than anyone's in Arkansas.

To our students: you did this.
To our teachers and staff: you built the room where it could happen.
To our families: thank you for trusting us with your kids.

ICA is a tuition-free, public charter arts high school in Fort Smith. Enrollment is still open at www.icafortsmith.org! Come see what an A school looks like 😉

Phoenix art credit: Katie White

captured using our new Kodak Charmeras! Godspell students hard at work
09/16/2026

captured using our new Kodak Charmeras! Godspell students hard at work

"I was born and raised in northwest Oklahoma, where I developed a love for people, learning, sports, and serving others....
09/16/2026

"I was born and raised in northwest Oklahoma, where I developed a love for people, learning, sports, and serving others. Growing up, I was involved in many activities that helped shape who I am today, including football, baseball, track, speech and debate, band, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and encouraging others to become the best they can be. I attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Health and Sports Science Education. I have spent the past 12 years as an educator, teaching students in grades 5–12. Teaching has always been more than just a job for me—it is a calling. My goal as a teacher is not only to teach my students the content in front of them, but to help them grow as people. I want to teach them about life, character, responsibility, perseverance, and how to succeed long after they leave my classroom. My faith is the foundation of who I am. I live for Jesus and desire to make His name known through the way I serve others. I am actively involved in kids ministry at my church and have the privilege of serving alongside my wife, who is a kids minister in Lavaca, Arkansas. After getting married in September, we moved to Lavaca and began a new chapter of life focused on faith, community, ministry, and building a future together. One of my greatest hopes is to start a family and raise children who know and love Jesus. Outside of teaching and ministry, I enjoy anything that allows me to create, build, and learn. I love LEGOs, woodworking, building projects, and spending time with dogs. I am a passionate sports fan, especially cheering on the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners. I also enjoy watching movies, especially historical, comedy, and action films, and spending time with my wife watching documentaries."

Originally from Spiro, Oklahoma, Derek brings a unique blend of educational experience, real-world industry knowledge, a...
09/10/2026

Originally from Spiro, Oklahoma, Derek brings a unique blend of educational experience, real-world industry knowledge, and a passion for helping students
succeed. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he developed his passion for
teaching while continually performing and growing as a musician. After graduation, Derek worked with a variety of schools and percussion ensembles in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, cultivating meaningful skills and
supporting students through musicianship.

After teaching, Derek pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and spent several years working in
manufacturing. While he enjoyed the challenges of engineering, he realized he missed the relationships and fulfillment that come from working with students. That passion ultimately led him back to the classroom, where he is excited to inspire the next generation as a math teacher.

Outside of school, Derek enjoys staying active through CrossFit, biking, spending time boating at the lake, camping, riding side-by-sides, and golfing. He and his wife have two daughters and a German Shepherd who keeps the family on their toes.

Address

1101 Riverfront Drive
Fort Smith, AR
72901

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+14794342020

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