PRE-ACADEMY (PRECAD)

 

Classical training in drawing and painting for children between the ages of 7 and 14.

Rigorous training combined with creative compositional projects ensures that your child will leave our program with a strong base in classical drawing and painting.

This program is not designed to send children home with completed complex artworks – it is designed to ensure that your child learns the skills necessary to be a successful aspiring artist able to express themselves.

In addition to technical training in drawing and painting, your child will be introduced to many areas of art history they may be unfamiliar. We give them in-depth art history lectures, go on museum trips (*depending on COVID-19 regulations, infection numbers, and travel restrictions), and much more.

Our goal is to nurture your child’s creativity and mind by exploring all aspects of art.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be introduced to constructive academic drawing
  • Students will understand how to show an object’s volume in their drawings accurately.
  • Students will be introduced to and learn how to use the following materials: graphite pencil, charcoal pencil, gouache paint, and oil paint (the use of oils will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the student’s age. Students must be at least 13 years old to use oil paint).
  • Students will understand the daily exercises they complete in an art historical context. They will be able to memorize most objects they draw.

NOTE:

  • Students will be expected to enroll for the full academic year. Month-to-month study is not available.
  • Mid-year registrations are accepted for new enrollments only.
  • SPACE WILL BE LIMITED TO 15 STUDENTS PER CLASS. All other students interested will be added to the waitlist.
  • Holidays will be included in our schedule. PAA follows school closure and Holiday breaks. Review our academic calendar for more details.

Available Sessions

2025-2026 Academic Year
SUNDAYS:

MS. AYA – Session 1 @ 138 Nassau St 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

MS. SYDNEY – Session 1a @ 10 Nassau St 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

MS. AYA – Session 2 @ 138 Nassau St 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

MS. SYDNEY – Session 2a @ 138 Nassau St 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

THURSDAYS:

MS. SYDNEY – Session 3 @ 10 Nassau St 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 10th, 2025 @ 1:00 pm. PRECAD WILL APPEAR ON OUR COURSE CATALOG UNDER THE KIDS (7-14) TAB FOR EASY ONLINE REGISTRATION.

PAA Alumni Attend Top Art Colleges... RISD SCAD PRATT RINGLING CORNELL CONCORDIA PARSONS

PRE-COLLEGE


Our pre-college course is designed to help students build a well-rounded body of work that has its base in technical skills. We focus on teaching strong drawing and painting skills while encouraging students to place themselves creatively in their work to produce a unique portfolio.

Whether your child plans to attend an art school or hopes to supplement their college application by showing their passion, this program has you covered.

Our students have attended ivy league schools, schools of architecture, and some of the most prestigious art colleges both in the United States and abroad.

Students create both works from observation in addition to creative pieces from imagination. Rigorous training ensures our student’s breadth of knowledge in classical forms and art history is vast.

Having a base of training in Academic realism allows students to use their creativity through a well-informed lens. We want our students to be able to go to college feeling prepared for the journey ahead, ready to complete any project thrown at them their first year.

We also provide college seminars to familiarize students with their application options.

This program is for students who want to learn classical art, advance their skills during the application process and prepare themselves for the rigorous college experience.

We are here as professional instructors, guiding students through successes and failures in their work.

It is up to the student to prioritize their portfolio and other things they are doing to prepare for college.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

  • Standard Registration
  • Rush Registration

 

NOTE:

Students will be expected to enroll for the entire Academic year.
SPACE WILL BE LIMITED. All other students interested will be added to our waitlist.
Holidays will be included in our schedule.
Questions? Email our enrollment team directly at ” enrollment@princetonacademyofart.com”

Art Colleges & Universities in the US

  • Rhode Island School of Art & Design
  • Ringling College of Art & Design
  • The New School’s Parsons School of Design
  • Pratt Institute
    Fashion Institute of Technology
  • Cooper Union
  • Maryland Institute College of Art
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
    & more
Colleges & Universities with Art Programs
  • Cornell University
  • Brown University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Syracuse University
  • WU St. Louis
  • Rutgers
    & more
International Art Schools
  • Concordia University
  • Parsons PARIS
    & more