 Notable alumni include Boyz II Men, Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots and Leslie Odom Jr.

CAPA was founded in 1978 by Dr. John R. Vannoni.The school was originally located in the Atlantic Building at Broad and Spruce Streets where it shared space with the Philadelphia College of the Arts (now the University of the Arts).CAPA moved into the Palumbo Elementary School Building at 11th and Catherine Streets in 1984.