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1. Academy General Information

The Words Beats & Life Academy is a free after-school program that uses Hip-Hop to inspire creativity, confidence, and career exploration for young people ages 8 to 18 who live in Washington, DC.
Whether your child is into music, dance, poetry, art, or just figuring out what they love, the Academy is a place where they can learn new skills, make friends, and be mentored by professional artists who care. Our classes are fun, hands-on, and rooted in Hip-Hop culture, helping students grow as artists, students, and leaders.
We teach more than just the elements of Hip-Hop — we also help young people see a future for themselves in college, careers, and the creative world. Throughout the year, students will perform, showcase their art, build portfolios, and take part in events that highlight their hard work and talent.
If you're looking for a program where your child can be seen, supported, and challenged to grow — we invite you to apply today.

Once you submit this form you are enrolled in the Academy.

The 2025-2026 Words Beats & Life Academy will operate in various schools as a series over three program blocks:

Fall: September 22, 2025- December 15, 2025 (3:30pm-6:30pm)
Winter: January 8, 2026- April 12, 2026 (3:30pm-6:30pm)
Spring: April 22, 2026- June 14, 2026. (3:30pm-6:30pm)

Meeting Times
If after school, classes meet Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM unless specified differently based on school site.

Students can come and choose from a variety of fun, hands-on art classes in Hip-Hop, music, dance, visual arts, and more. In addition to exploring creative disciplines like music, dance, poetry, and visual art, students also take classes in entrepreneurship, project planning, and social media content development. These sessions are designed to help students build real-world skills, develop their creative portfolios, and explore future careers in the arts and beyond.

Classes
Kelly Miller Middle School - Songwriting, Fashion Design, and Stop Motion Photography
Sousa Middle School - Songwriting, Fashion Design
Johnson Middle School - DJing, Face & Body Painting
Hart Middle School - Stop Motion Photography, Face & Body Painting, and Fashion Design
Anacostia High School - Graffiti
Kipp - Beat Production
DC Prep - Podcasting


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* 1. Which day(s) are you enrolling in?

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* 2. Why have you chosen to enroll in the Words Beats and Life Academy?

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* 3. Who is filling out the form?

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* 4. Student Name

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* 5. DCPS ID Number

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* 6. Student Date of Birth

Date

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* 7. Is the student being enrolled 18 years of age or older?

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* 8. Parent/Guardian Name

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* 9. Parent/Guardian Phone Number

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* 10. Parent/Guardian Email

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* 11. Home/Mailing Address

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* 12. Ward of Residence (If a DC Resident)

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* 13. School Attending/Attended (Including home schools)

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* 14. What is your current grade for 2025-2026?

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* 15. If you are currently attending school, what is your current GPA

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* 16. Does your family qualify for any of these programs ?

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* 17. What is your gender?

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* 18. Race/Ethnic Identity

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* 19. Shirt Size

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* 20. How did you hear about the Academy?

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