The Mission of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is to provide students with a rigorous, comprehensive, college preparatory curriculum rooted in intense, pre-professional training in the arts that encourages excellence and success in their personal development as students, artists, and cultural leaders.

The Vision of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is to provide a world-class academic and arts education as the first arts magnet high school in Washington County and Western Maryland. The cutting edge teaching and learning environment will enable students to study the arts for their intrinsic, aesthetic, cognitive, and cultural value. Through a program of individualized attention and personalization, students will be motivated to achieve in a challenging and supportive atmosphere that emphasizes a disciplined attitude and personal responsibility. Supportive parents, distinguished faculty, cultural institutions and university partnerships will collaborate with the school and foundation to ensure that students will possess the necessary skills to pursue a career in any field.

This project began in 2001 when Dr. Elizabeth M. Morgan commissioned the First Generation Study Group. The School was recommended as one of their priorities. This project took flight when Mr. Groh made the generous donation of the former Henry’s Theatre on Potomac Street to create a school in honor of his late wife. The school offers six specialized programs for high school students, grades 9-12: instrumental music, vocal music, theater, dance, visual arts, and literary arts. The school opened in August 2009 in the heart of downtown Hagerstown’s Arts and Entertainment District.