Art. Media. Performance.
Welcome to Monterey High School’s A.M.P. Academy. Our program is a “school within a school” that emphasizes visual, media, and performing arts professional training. The Academy provides an integrated education for high school students from diverse backgrounds.
AMP students learn special modes of thinking unavailable in other disciplines.
Through rigorous academic inquiry, collaborative learning, and professionally guided arts training, the AMP Academy cultivates 21st-Century citizens, blending intellectual curiosity and academics with artistic discipline that prepares students for college and careers.
San Francisco MOMA Field Trip
Acrylic Painting by Amaya Aquino
The Great Gatsby, Class of 2020
The Great Gatsby, Class of 2020
Showcasing & Selling at WinterFest 2022
Portfolio Day at Carmel Art Expo
Wait Until Dark, Class of 2018
Showcasing & Selling at WinterFest 2022
The Great Gatsby, Class of 2020
Pre-Show Production on the MHS Stage
Digital Art Marathon & Art Workshop at Monterey Museum of Art
Bri at the Carl Cherry Exhibition
Portfolio Day at Carmel Art Expo
San Francisco MOMA Field Trip
Field Trip to San Jose Museum of Art and San Jose State University
Digital Drawing by Elizabeth Jimenez
Creedence at the Carl Cherry opening
Field Trip to San Jose Museum of Art and San Jose State University
Field Trip to San Jose Museum of Art and San Jose State University
Fundraising at West End Festival
Inordinate by Andrea Flores
The 24-Hour Show, Class of 2021
Fundraising at West End Festival
The Great Gatsby Directed by Isaiah Siman
Face Painting at the Back to School BBQ
Photography by Trianna Liriano
SFMOMA field trip
Performing at Carmel Art Expo
Cyrano!, Class of 2023
Theater workshop
Seniors 2024
Senior Art Show 2024
Field trip to MPC
Sebastian having fun backstage at MPC
Tour of CSUMB film studio
SF Field trip
Field trip
Nantai Mendoza show at the PG Art Museum
Senior Show 2024
AMP students enjoying the Carnival fundraiser
Mission Statement
The Art Media Performance Academy at Monterey High School seeks to advance knowledge, promote intellectual inquiry, and cultivate creativity for academic and career success.
The Academy provides its students with a superior arts education, fosters excellence in creative inquiry and discovery, and prepares students for global engagement as creators, advocates, and patrons of the arts.
Moreover, the arts in the general education of all AMP students provide special modes of thinking unavailable in other disciplines. The arts involve unique ways of knowing, understanding, expressing, and creating, each contributing to human achievement and a deeper shared experience.
FAQs
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Fill out the digital application form, including the portfolio, and send everything to Mrs. McMercury at LMcMercury@mpusd.k12.ca.us.
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The application deadline for the 2026-27 school year is December 19th, 2025. The deadline for the 2025-26 school year has already passed.
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AMP has a small-school environment, an integrated curriculum, and hands-on learning through workshops and field trips. Students receive mentors in their focused career field, hear guest speaker presentations, as well as complete a mandatory 40-hour internship in an art related field. Completion of the AMP program assures that students have completed all admission requirements for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems.
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No. AMP is a college preparatory academy with academically rigorous classes across the entire curriculum. However, the program’s focus is on Art to bring relevance to the curriculum and to give students the opportunity to learn by doing hands-on activities. Students should have an interest in art since these subjects are a focus of the program. Art students are required to take a minimum of four years of Art.
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Yes. Completion of the AMP curriculum assures that students have completed all requirements for acceptance into California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) systems.
Get in touch.
Got a question not answered above? We understand. Each student is a universe and every education matters. Reach out to our dedicated and awarded teachers and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.