Portfolio Review: The First Step Toward Top Art High Schools

Dear Parents,

The Portfolio Review is where clarity begins. We assess your child’s strengths, current work, school goals, and what it will take to build a competitive portfolio.

You’ll leave with a realistic roadmap, timeline, and next best steps, guided by a decade of helping NYC students gain acceptance into top art high schools.

Dear Students,

Are you ready to level up your artwork?

Are you willing to practice, improve, and take your goals seriously?

Do you want to create work worthy of top schools?

If yes—we’re ready for you.

The Portfolio Review is where everything begins, real clarity, honest feedback, and a clear path forward. You AND your child will walk away knowing exactly where they stand, what schools are looking for, and what it will take to build a portfolio that truly stands out.

From there, you’ll have the choice of the next step, Portfolio Prep. You can choose options from in our studio, at home or in our Summer camp intensive. We will work around your schedule to create a focused plan tailored to your child’s goals.

Our candidates have been accepted into the following art high schools:

  • Fiorello H. LaGuardia
  • Frank Sinatra School of Arts
  • Art & Design High School
  • Professional Performing Arts School
  • Additional programs

If you’re serious about giving your teen the best portfolio and successfully getting into their school of choice, this is the first step.

You can book your review virtually or in person — we’re ready when you are.

What happens during Review?

A 1-hour planning consultation to discuss the following:

  • Full admissions roadmap
  • Review of current artwork
  • School strategy recommendations
  • Time / commitment expectations
  • Personalized next steps
  • Live Q&A

This is 1 Hour will save you months of guesswork.

Charcoal still life drawing showing shadows and light

Virtual Review

  • Location: Zoom Call
  • Duration: 1 Hr
  • Price: $200
Book Virtual Review

In Person Review

  • Location: Spark studio or Home
  • Duration: 1 Hr
  • Price: $250
Book In-Person Review
After your Review, you have the choice to continue with various options in Portfolio Prep.

Completed your Review? Choose your Level of Portfolio Prep

Book Your Prep

Testimonials

Can't say enough about this program. Both Casey and Sebastian were great. They genuinely cared about my daughter success with this application process having only just met her. The feeling was that we were working together as a team with a common goal. The team were both very supportive while at the same time kind, gentle and low stress in their approach. This was very helpful to my daughter. The sessions were also very flexible given our significant time crunch. I feel like we optimized her chances of getting accepted. They scored all of her submissions and she received 100 points out of 100. We are thrilled!
Steve S.ACCEPTED - LAGUARDIA
Sebastian and his team did an amazing job helping guide my daughter with her work on her portfolio pieces. She learned many new techniques and explored various mediums. They challenged her to step outside of her comfort zone and provided extra attention and time, when she needed it the most. The studio space is warm and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this program (she got an acceptance from her top choice school - LaGuardia!)
Marion M.ACCEPTED - LAGUARDIA
Spark has not only been instrumental in our daughter’s development as an artist, but also as a partner in her portfolio preparation process with its Spark Portfolio Prep program. This began with portfolio development and review when our daughter was applying to competitive art boarding schools and was admitted to the Interlochen Arts Academy where she has studied animation. She continued to work with the Spark team as she applied to college programs and was accepted to the University of Central Florida’s School of Visual Arts & Design.
Andrew W.ACCEPTED - INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY & UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA'S SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS & DESIGN
I was on the hunt for a more professional art teacher to help my teenage daughter build her high school art portfolio, when I discovered SPARK & Sebastian! He is a wish come true; dedicated, talented, passionate, informed, and on top of kids and parents. They worked in a small group & the work she produced brought her to a new level! Thank you Sebastian
Jovana S.ACCEPTED - LAGUARDIA
My daughter Mia has been attending the Spark program for the last 3 years, initially in the after school program and now for portfolio prep. Sebastian has done an excellent job developing a strategy that focuses on Mia’s specific artistic strengths while simultaneously allowing her to continue to explore new creative channels. It has been an excellent experience and I highly recommend Sebastian and the portfolio program!
Peter K.ACCEPTED - FIT
The program offered by Spark enabled our son to be accepted into a specialized high school - plain and simple. Together as a family we made a commitment to our son with one goal: to get him into the one school he sincerely wanted and it worked .Thanks to Sebastian Alappat , Spark and his outstanding staff, they found the elusive key to what our son needed. Without question both myself and my wife consider the Spark program to have been the absolute best possible preparation for our son whose potential is now fully realized. He is thriving in his new school and we owe much of that to Spark. On behalf of our son, we can’t thank Sebastian for his vision and we encourage anyone else to do the same and see the same remarkable results for yourselves.
Jesse F.ACCEPTED - LAGUARDIA
My daughter is graduating this year and we needed to find a portfolio prep class. It was really late in the game when her middle school gave me a number for a program called SPARK. I spoke to the founder, Sebastian Alappat. He was willing to accept my daughter into the program even though it was soon coming to an end. Sebastian was very professional and you can tell that he really cares about his students. My daughter was overwhelmed but he patiently worked with her and made her feel more at ease. He checked in on her between sessions to ensure she still had support while independently working. I didn’t think her portfolio would be done on time but with Sebastian’s help, she was able to create a professional portfolio. I would highly recommend the SPARK program. I wish all teachers could be as caring and professional as Sebastian.
Melissa F.ACCEPTED - FRANK SINATRA
Drew had been working directly with Sebastian and taking art classes for several years. When it was time to apply for Art School in NYC, we were grateful to have the full support of The Spark. The team is very hands on, talented and engaged. Together, they helped Drew more easily navigate the entire process. They provided quality motivation and really challenged him to produce some of his best work; ultimately constructing a very personalized portfolio that specifically highlights his unique and individual talents. After working with The Spark and getting a better appreciation for the process, Drew was EXTREMELY proud of his portfolio, very confident and much better prepared for his interviews!
Gina J.ACCEPTED - HIGH SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN
The Spark’s Portfolio Prep program prepared my daughter for her application and audition for NYC High School Art programs. She met weekly with Sebastian who inspired her to grow her artistic abilities and complete her portfolio. She highly enjoyed the lessons and benefited from his kind and caring nurturing. He never makes a child feel that their art is not worthy. She felt confident entering her audition and secured an offer at an elite Art program with LaGuardia High School for the Arts. I highly recommend Spark for any parent who wants a compassionate teacher and mentor. As my younger child enters the High School Arts audition process, we have returned to Spark once again.
Donna Z.ACCEPTED - LAGUARDIA
My son took Art Classes with Sebastian for several years. He loved the instruction, and producing art but what he loved most of all was Sebastian. We went from private classes to creating our own class with 2 of my son’s friends. It quickly became the highlight of the week. Sebastian also put a lot of time helping us put together a portfolio which led to my son applying to the High School of Art & Design, a specialized High School in NYC. Sebastian is an amazing teacher, mentor and friend. So thankful he is in our lives.
Caroline S.ACCEPTED - HIGH SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN