Northwestern became the school district's second Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) magnet high school, with the program commencing for the 2013–14 school year. The CVPA program is a highly selective, rigorous four-year specialized program that offers college prep and professional career prep study in the visual arts and performing arts. Admission to the program is through a competitive, two-stage application process. Northwestern's CVPA program operates as a "school-within-a-school" model, and is a replication of the program that has been in existence at Suitland High School since 1986. However, currently Northwestern's program only draws students from a limited attendance-area.