Philly’s first arts and science-focused charter high school to open this fall [PHOTOS]

Philadelphia’s first charter high school dedicated to the intersection of the arts and sciences will open this fall in GlaxoSmithKline‘s former office at 16th and Vine Streets (GSK is relocating to the Navy Yard). The Inquirer first reported the news last month.

Managed by String Theory Schools, the Philadelphia Performing Arts and Charter High School (not to be confused with its sister school, the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School at Broad and Shunk Streets for K-8 students) will have the following, according to a spokeswoman:

• vocal, instrumental and ballet studios
• state-of-the-art science facilities
• an automotive/engineering lab
• a digital media center stocked with iPads
• a high-end motion capture television studio

String Theory Schools will spend $10-$12 million on adding these features and more to the 225,000-square-foot building, according to the Inquirer. DeMedici II, the nonprofit associated with the charter school, bought the GlaxoSmithKline building for $29 million and “expects to finance the property with tax-exempt bonds from the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID),” the Inquirer reported.

Last month, the school held a public preview to show off renderings and celebrate its forthcoming launch. Check out renderings and images from the preview below.

At the public preview of the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter High School.