They won't exactly be dancing in the hallways at the New Mexico School for The Arts, but students will likely benefit from a Fame-like creative energy once the charter school opens next fall.

That's what James Ledyard hopes.

Chosen last week as NMSA's head of school, Ledyard said the new institution will be unique in offering New Mexico high-school students an arts and academic education under one roof.

"A student with a great interest in classical music or dance or theater can grow that skill and talent and passion over the course of his or her school career, while completing the course work necessary for a high-school diploma," Ledyard said. "There are a couple of dozen schools like that around the country, but this would be the first in New Mexico."

Ledyard previously worked 11 years as head of the independent Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, N.C. Ledyard said that school's strong performing, visual and literary arts program afforded him ample opportunity to work with arts teachers and develop a curriculum.

Building a curriculum for New Mexico School for the Arts is one of the challenges Ledyard faces. The school plans to start with about 120 students in the fall of 2010; it can legally take on 300 students over time.

Staff and curriculum issues will be decided once the student applications start coming in this September, he said. Auditions will be held early next year, with a goal of selecting a student body by next April.

"If we see a huge interest in theater and dance, for instance, that will have implications in how we staff that area," he said. "We will have to be somewhat flexible through next spring."

The school, which is funded with about $525,000 in legislative startup money, will be tuition-free, though students will have to pay for room and board. That's another challenge for the school, Ledyard said — finding both dorm space and a permanent home.

But on Friday, the school's board voted to pursue negotiations with Santa Fe Public Schools to take over the B.F. Young complex on Camino Sierra Vista. The 58,000-square-foot facility, which includes a gym, was built in the early 1950s as a junior high school. Ledyard said that site remains the school's first choice.

Ledyard replaces Frank Marchese, who was chosen as head of school in July. New Mexico School for the Arts board member Julia Barnes said in a voice-mail message Friday that Marchese was replaced because "New Mexico School for the Arts has chosen to move in a different strategic direction that required different leadership." Marchese could not be reached for comment.

Ledyard said he's upbeat about the school's prospects. "I'm sure there will be a lot of creative energy in that building; we may even pipe music into the halls. A focus on the arts is the primary reason for this institution, but there will be a normal set of accountability expectations for students to go through high school."

Visit nmschoolforthearts.org for more information or application guidelines.

Contact Robert Nott at 986-3021 or rnott@sfnewmexican.com.