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Arizona School for the Arts
(602) 257-1444
1313 N. 2nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Level: 6-12
District: Arizona School for the Arts

Extended Information

In-depth school information including test scores, student stats, parent ratings and reviews for Arizona School for the Arts, Phoenix, AZ.

Cenus Info	Value	Year
White, non-Hispanic:	76.08%	(2008)
Black, non-Hispanic:	7.8%	(2008)
Hispanic:	11.56%	(2008)
Asian:	4.57%	(2008)

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Arizona School for the Arts Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating	4
Average Principals Rating	4
Average Teachers Rating	4
Average Activities Rating	3
Average Parents Rating	4
Average Safety Rating	4

Arizona School for the Arts Reviews


Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-11-24 “Don't get the Nov. 16th post. My oldest child has attended ASA for five years and has gotten fabulous math instruction. The students are expected to make connections and think on their own, it's definitely not the drill and kill or 'turn to the next page' type of math instruction. I have found all of the teachers to be fabulous. They are amazingly interested in every child's progress unlike any school we have seen. This school is for self starters and high achievers. We just learned that they are expanding! They are adding 5th grade in 2009 and are adding 50 more spots in 6th grade. I am sure it will fill in a heartbeat. I see it as a school for kids who love classic musical study, project based learning and having alot of their own responsibility for their learning. No hand holding; high expectations.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 1 2008-11-16 “Sending my son to ASA, the worst choice I ever made. My son loves mathematics (95% in 2007 AIMS); the math teacher was more concern on enforcing his pencil only policy (my son prefers a pen) than fuelling his passion for mathematics. That man had nothing to teach my son.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-11-02 “Fabulous, talented kids. Fabulous talented Faculty. If you have a high acheiving student who loves the performing arts, look no further. Those kids who find ASA not a good match, are those who are not strong students or have behavior problems. I agree with another parent here that misbehavior is not tolerated. This is not a school for kids who need to be 'fixed'. My son loves ASA. It's for serious students and musicians.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2008-10-08 “I love ASA. I do feel it has gone downhill slightly as many excellent teachers have left(plus Dr. Francis!) and the students keep getting marginally less accepting, but the classes (especially arts) are very high-quality and the environment is great. I am staying until graduation.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2008-09-26 “My daughter is a junior and attended since 6th grade. The teachers had high expectations of the students and expected the students to meet these expectations. They are interested in her personally, and worked with her on every issue of concern, academic, health related, etc. The administration is proactive, vocal and very personally involved with the students. Self-advocacy is taught so the students learn to stand up for themselves through the proper channels, an excellent skill for the business world. The small class size adds to the positive experience academically and socially as well as the team teaching approach across disciplines. My daughters writing skills, developed here, far exceed her peers in other schools. The lack of a phys. ed. curriculum, is unfortunate but the arts training is phenomenal. Our experience with ASA has been exceptionally positive.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-09-25 “We are parents of a new ASA student. Our daughter is starting as a 6th grader and she loves it. Her math and science teachers were there last year and she thinks they are great, as we had heard. The 6th grade language arts/social studies teacher is a veteran teacher but new to ASA this year. We were hesitant because we had heard such great things about the teacher who left, but my daughter loves language arts and social studies, both; like never before and is writing up a storm. ASA expectations are very high and people w/ children with behavior problems or severe learning issues should probably look elsewhere. There is little tolerance for misbehaving or students who are not intrinsically motivated. My daughter says all of the teachers advertise their willingness to help students at lunch She says many students work during their lunch. Awesome school.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2008-07-09 “I am a current student attending ASA. This school has a foundation of communication and understanding that I do not feel I would find anywhere else. The teachers work with individual students who need any help and are always glad to have you come in at lunch and talk with them. The work load can become hard at times, but in the end you find all the hard work was worth it. During third quarter you do a major project, which is where a lot of stress can be found if the student does not meet deadlines and show up to class on time. Overall I love ASA and do not plan to leave until I graduate in 2013.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2008-04-28 “We were so happy that our daughter got accepted into this school for the 6th grade. She is now in the 8th getting ready to go into high school. Along the way she has lost some of her friends. Due to the fact that they struggled to much with the academics. I have to say it is survival of the fittest and you need to have a high maturity level to deal with the expectations of the school. If you are a mediocre student this school is not for you. Our daughter is in the ballet program (ran through Ballet Arizona) and has done very well. The teachers are hard working and always willing to help when ever needed. I truly feel that this school preps the kids for college and high stress lifestyle of the arts. My daughter loves this school.” Posted By: student Quality Score: decline 2008-04-25 “I am a student currently going to asa, as many reviews have said this school is a very safe-enviroment, however the school's methods are very, very confusing and it tends to get me and my fellow classmates confused. This school is much more different than any other public schoool, yet that can be a good thing. ASA has a huge stress level and there is no time to just relax and be a kid. Many students become depressed because they care so much about their grades ad the teachers put even more stress, telling the students that it is not enough and that they must revise. Arizona School for the Arts does have a good enviroment, yet the education is alright and it tends to protrays as if the educaion is one of the best in the west.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-03-26 “This is our first year at ASA and we are loving it. My daughter came from public middle school and the leadership, class quality and parent involvement is night and day. Transportation and location are tough but worth the drive. We find the ballet program to be very strong. The expectations are very high and if your child is not good with stress normally found at the higher grades, it may be a challenge. Great school!!!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-02-29 “This is our 8th year at ASA. We have had one graduate, who received a scholarship and is doing very well at college. He felt over-prepared! I have been so pleased with the faculty and leadership at ASA. Some amazing teachers left a year ago, but other excellent ones have replaced them. Some of the music programs have had their ups and downs over the years, but the strings have been consistently excellent. The choirs are wonderful and the new band director is very good. All the staff members we have had contact with have been awesome, cooperative and communicative. If you have a child who is hard-working and motivated, this is an excellent place to be. Low achievers should probably find a different school, as should slower learners, who will find this school very frustrating.” Posted By: other Quality Score: 5 2008-02-01 “I am an ASA alumni and am currently in my second year of college. ASA was a great school, but unfortunately has lost a lot of the qualities that made it so great over the past few years. The school still continues to offer opportunities that can be found no where else. ASA provides students with a good education both academically and artistcally, but has lost many of its key teachers and its greatest contributor and supporter; Dr. Mark Francis. The friends that I made at ASA are my closest friends and we continue to be friends! As for the academics, every skill I learned at ASA I have used! ASA is still a great school, but not what it once was.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2008-01-24 “My daughter is excelling at this school. The expectations are consistently high throughout the academic program as well as the arts program. The kids are just fantastic. My daughter never complains about kids misbehaving. Not sure about the comments regarding cliques. Kids do form groups, as do adult, but I find the kids to be accepting and supporting of each other. The facility needs to be improved. I could see prospective families being turned off by the old buildings. I see the only lacking elements here as lack of technology and the facility. The academic teachers spend the whole afternoon talking about the kids and planning. You don't get that anywhere else! The education my daughter is getting her far surpasses what she was getting in her public middle school.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2008-01-03 “My daughter loves this school even though it is very clique-ish. She adores all her academic teachers and is handling the workload well. Arts programs could be better, especially the Ballet. New buildings or location would be great, very old and rundown. I understand that fundraising has been going on for years. They are extremely hard on absences for illnesses, etc.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2008-01-03 “My child has been attending this school for five years now. It seems that the school was much, much better 5 years ago. Gradually things seem to be going downhill. Granted, the academics are strenuous, which is a good thing, however each year something else seems to be eliminated. There used to be a retreat where the kids actually went away for a couple of days. Now it is one day and they stay at school all day. Last year at the end of the year several really good teachers left. They were teachers that had been there for awhile.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 4 2007-11-12 “this is definantly a great school, but it sint for everyone. This is my 2nd year, and middle school was fun and exciting and different, but highschool is a big leap. The arts are phenominal, the students and facilty are amazing! I must agree, though, that the lack of physical education, visual arts, and class size is not everyones favorite. Don't get me wrong, this school is great and really is a safe environment of non-judgmental and mature students!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2007-10-03 “My teenager has been at ASA for 5 years now. 5 years ago ASA was much different than it seems to be today...it seems that the middle school does more activities together, which gives the parent the feeling that it is a real 'community' at ASA. However, as high school progresses, it turns into something different. Gradually, many classmates leave, and relatively few replace them. The classes get smaller each year. (the higher you go up into high school) The middle school just keeps growing. I think that the level of academics is high -- I agree with the parent that was concerned about the stress level, however, and the lack of physical activity. While arts instruction is very good, it is sad that there are no visual arts. We have been fundraising for a new building for all 5 years that we have been involved.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2007-10-02 “I go to this school, and it's amazing, I've never felt so warm and accepted in my life as I do hear. The students are friendly and accepting, the teachers are great and easy to understand. The work is kinda hard but it's the best. It definitly is excellence in education, and the talent that these kids have is amazing. I love this school and never want to leave.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2007-09-21 “Is it possible to get a first-rate academics while attending an Arts school? Absolutely! ASA accomplishes both and sets the standard in the process. Their refreshingly unique philosophy of encouraging life-long learners, not simply test-takers, pays off with kids who truly know how to use critical thinking skills. (Oh yeah, a side benefit is they post exceptional scores without 'prepping' for the standardized test each spring!) The Arts classes are also exceptional. The teachers and administrators are phenomenal and set the tone for the school. They know each student by name and help keep the 'family atmosphere.' Discipline problems, which are rare, are handled immediately and fairly. The front office staff is the best!” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2007-09-18 “I am a student currently in 7th grade at ASA. I am new here and it is wonderful! Every one is friendly and very helpful. You can enjoy waking up and putting on anything your heart desires and safely knowing that you WONT get made fun of. I have been to three other schools but none can compare to the education and fun here. Even though there are no sports which is kinda on the downside they do alow you to play flag football at lunch. At lunch you are not told where you can and connot sit heck you could sit on the stage if you wanted to. All I am saying is this is a wonderful opportunity to exceed and suceed.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2007-09-01 “ASA is an exceptional school. My student who graduated 2 years ago is still benefiting from the top-notch education they received. I still am very involved with the school and the leadership at the school is still as strong as ever. The new faculty members joining the ASA community are fantastic. Come to any event at ASA and you can see for yourself!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: decline 2007-08-19 “ASA was a very good experience for my child, but something is very wrong when all the best teachers leave at the same time. No one is talking about it, but it should be addressed openly, hopefully so that what ever went wrong won't happen again. Without the leadership that was there, it is hard to guage if the same great program is still there.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 4 2007-07-27 “I am currently a student at ASA, going into 9th grade next year. I've been here since 6th grade and I've enjoyed every year. I would never leave the school for the world. The school has many good qualities, including great academics combined with excellent teachers (this has helped me learn so much), and a truly remarkable arts program. The level of training in arts classes has resulted in many highly professional Showcases. There are also some bad qualities though. The stress level at ASA is extremely high. The school also does not provide very many extracurricular activities. In terms of student relationship, I've found that the students do tend to create clique-like groups. Although not as obvious, it does create a feeling of exclusion.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 2 2007-06-07 “This school does work hard to achieve a balance does not meet the needs of many of the students. Faculty do not like working with the parents with their children. It is their way or the highway mentality. This does not foster good relations between parents and the teaching faculty.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 4 2007-06-05 “This school has a great learning excperience but the kids just get too stressed with there homework and grades. I am a student there and I tend to cry or get mad bacause of too much homework or too much at one time...I am currently going to be leaving this school because of too much stress.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 3 2007-04-28 “I am a student here and am in 8th grade. I like this school very much and it is a great school. The kids are friendly, but there are many clicks. The academics are great and the teachers are very supportive of each student. The arts are only good, you could probably get a scholarship from any other high school. There are few extracurricular activities and absolutely no sports. There is also no physical education, only ballet. the level of parent involvement is so-so it is pretty much half and half. Some contribute and others stay as far away from the school as they can. I would recommend this school only if your child is an overachiever.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 3 2007-03-22 “As a current student at ASA, I can agree that it has its good qualities, and it's bad ones. If your child is a good student who really loves the arts and has strong self confidense than this school will be a good fit. The teachers and the academic programs are unmatched in the Phoenix area, the arts, however stongly incorrporated, lack quality and do not balence out the horrible lack of physical activity. The two main problems with this school are definatly the lack of sports and the lack of variation in the student body. You are with the same 26 people for 6 years and, generally the school atracts a similar kind of person: white, over-acheiver, and image-obsessed. In short: if your child enjoys varied company and physical stimulation, this is the wrong place for you.” Posted By: former student Quality Score: 1 2006-11-02 “ASA's first and foremost goal is a college prep curriculum. Students have little to no outlets to express their concerns with other students, faculty, or curriculum. The performing arts program is mediocre, even sub-par when considering the nature of the school. Although the ballet program is exceptional, the music program matches that of most large public high schools. The theatre program has a talented faculty that reads like a who's who of the Arizona theatre scene.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2006-09-16 “Okay, so I'm not a parent, but this is a student speaking here. I adore ASA. The teachers are amazing; I want to come to school every day, and I enjoy all of my classes. I learn so much, and the balance of academics and arts is just perfect. Also, not only does ASA have great academics, but it's just amazing. I mean, I was really quiet and shy when I came. It was so easy to open up and be me. There were no clicks or 'popular' or 'nerdy' or 'gothic' groups; there's just individuals, people who aren't afraid to be themselves and be open about their opinions and feelings... I'm in 9th grade, by the way, attended since 6th grade. If you can get your child in, do it. I love ASA with a passion. I wouldn't leave it for anything in the world.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2006-07-30 “ASA is a wonderful school if your child is willing to work extremely hard and has the aptitude. I have two children at ASA. One loves it, she is making a 4.2 GPA and is very motivated. She adores ballet. The school showcase is amazing - like professionals. The other student is in middle school and is struggling. She was asked to attend three summer school programs and it was very overwhelming for her. Her AIMS tests were much higher than meets but not exceeding, and she was still told she was almost failing by ASA teachers. I would like to see the school have a track for students who are struggling to help them with alternate methods of learning. Not every student can read and test out well and they need the encouragement too. Not everyone can make an A at every subject!” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2006-07-04 “As a current student (attending since 7th grade and going into my senior year), I have to say that ASA is an amazing school. Originally interested because of the high quality arts programs (ballet, especially), I stayed because of the college-prep academics. It's hard work, but as the cliche goes, that's what makes it great. The school's like a family, not surprising since I've been in class with relatively the same people for five years and the director of school greets each student by name at the door? Yet ASA's not for everyone- a lack of sports, high stress (and high yield), and an expectation that you will do well and you will strive for excellence, drives some people away. But I've stayed, and I think it's been worth it. Though parents have to realize that it's not all the kids- parents are expected to participate and help.” Posted By: teacher Quality Score: 5 2006-05-26 “This school is the place we all wish we had gone to when we were in high school. The sense of safety, community and teacher involvement is matched by the expectations for excellence.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2006-03-15 “My daughter has learned so much here. I'm very impressed by the yearly presentations and science curriculum. We also love that she can take ballet at school! Her teachers have always been very commented to ensuring she is actually learning the skills, not just turning in assignments.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2006-01-10 “ASA is the best school I've ever experienced. My son was floundering in a large, public high school. At ASA, he has become an accomplished musician and a much improved student. The quality of the teachers is outstanding and the small class/school size create an atmosphere that is conducive for learning and achievement. As a performing arts school, ASA is an especially great place for unconventional/artistic kids. It's a phenomenal school!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2005-12-12 “Outstanding number of extracurricular programs.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-11-16 “Academic quality is excellent. Music, drama and dance are very advanced. Very high level of parental involvement.” Posted By: student Quality Score: 5 2005-11-08 “The truth is that you either love ASA or you don't. A majority of the students love ASA; I know I do. Many people have become stressed over homework, and they decide to leave, but almost 100 percent of them come back within a couple months. ASA is not involved in who is 'popular.' There are not cliques. Everyone knows eachother as in a big family. Also, the classes are small, so you get the attention you need. The teachers are willing to help at lunch, and they are the best teachers that you are going to get. The curiculum is amazing, and the arts teachers are amazing.” Posted By: former student Quality Score: 1 2005-08-23 “ASA is a public funded charter school with grades 6 to 12 but they do not serve the economically disadvantaged. They only serve the over achievers and superstars. This school is geared toward doctors' and lawyers' kids not inner city kids. They expect college level performance from grade school students. They have a sink or swim mentality that is not conducive to a good learning environment for all students.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-07-16 “If you want your child to become a self-directed learner, a confident person, and an independent thinker, as well as becoming exceptionally ready for college, this is the school they should be attending.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2005-07-13 “This is a place where students are safe, where teachers are positive and where real, meaningful and enjoyable learning occurs.” Posted By: former student Quality Score: 5 2005-06-17 “ASA is a wonderful school full of open minded individuals who are highly mature.... this school is not only socially comfortable for students but academically comfortable for parents.... they may not have a sports program but their arts programs make up for it... parent involvement is highly encouraged here and welcomed.” Posted By: former student Quality Score: 3 2005-06-11 “Very high stress. Good peer group. Mostly great teachers. Just graduated from there in May. Got a lot, lost a lot (as far as stress). May or may not be worth it. 12 year-olds are dealing with several hours of homework a night and extreme pressure to live up to expectations. You can do it if you keep in mind that they just want you to do your best and the good teachers are pushing you for your own good, not because they expect something unattainable from you. Small classes and going through similar high-pressure times creates an amazing peer group. We're more like family than anything. Which of course means we fight, but whether or not we like each other, we love each other. I wouldn't change my decision to go there, but I couldn't go through it again either.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2005-01-10 “It is a marvelous school! But alot of hard work. THere is alot of homework, but the benifit is great. We have been very pleased with it.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2004-10-07 “Excellent college prep focus with an emphasis on performing arts. I have been very impressed with the guiding principles of the schools founder and faculty leaders. The success of the school's approach is evidenced by the high number of students who advance into college, many with scholarships. My children have thrived in this environment where the emphasis is on academics and performing arts, not athletics as in traditional public schools. A real gem in the Phoenix area.” Posted By: former student Quality Score: 5 2004-10-02 “This school is amazing! When I first came to this school I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly atmosphere, and genuine people.I love ASA!” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 4 2004-09-16 “ASA has been a good experience but it is not for everyone. It is a good fit for my son who really enjoys music, but my other will not be attending due to a lack of sports (there are none). The teachers in Social Science and Language Arts have been inspiring for my son, while Science we feel was better in our public school. Also, foreign language is not taught until high school, but the students do have 3 arts classes each day, which will be perfect for some.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 5 2004-08-23 “The best school for the creative - intelligent student. The students are supportive of each other, and enjoy celebrating each others achievements. The staff is caring, and understanding.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2004-05-19 “ASA was a great school for my son. He went there in six and seven grades. We had to change schools, the kids in his classes were bullying him. Now my son hates school also playing the vioin. The kids make fun of him. They were very mean to him. He now goes to two Doctors for depression. He's on two medication's for depression. I try to get help about want the kids were doing, from the school, nothing was done. In the first month of school they say why don't you find a new school. They don't like to help handicap kids. I miss the happy and joy my son had for school,vioin,and other things he enjoy before ASA and the kids there bullying him.” Posted By: parent Quality Score: 3 2004-05-03 “I know the school has good academics, which is very important to me. However, there seem to be a lot of student, administrative and parent cliques. On the whole, my son's transfer to this school, from a montessori environment has not been successful. I am not sure how much of that is because of the montessori methods, and how much is because of the schools appparent inability to deal with diversity of thought and learning styles.” Posted By: Quality Score: 3 2003-05-06 “When trying to enroll my child for high school I found the administration to be pretentious and unaccommodating. There seemed to be an air of 'elitism.' I felt as if I was being told my child didn't belong here, that they were looking for only the 'perfect' student.” Posted By: Quality Score: 4 2003-04-28 “Arizona School for the Arts provides an awesome well rounded education. While there are virtually no extracurricular activities, the classes themselves provide a greater level of arts exposure than would be provided through the same extracurricular activities in a public school. I would recommend this school to anyone wanting a strong college prep program.” Posted By: Quality Score: 4 2003-03-25 “As a student who has left and is now returning, I'm proud to say that this school is wonderful. The small classes make it easier to taken in information, and the one on one teacher student relationships are what is lacking in other schools. The school is a community, not based on sports and other highly competitive activites but more on the knowledge that your peers are interested in the same arts and academia that you are.” Posted By: Quality Score: 5 2002-10-15 “As a student, I find that Arizona School for the Arts fulfills all my academic AND artistic needs. The academics, especially writing, are exceptional. And the arts are wonderful, with middle school students recieving piano automatically.” Posted By: Quality Score: 4 2002-10-15 “small class size; high academic standards; caring, excellent teachers”

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