The New School for the Arts and Academics

The New School for the Arts and Academics (sometimes just called the New School for the Arts) is a performing and visual arts school in Tempe, Arizona. It teaches grades 6-12 in a variety of courses. It is located on 1216 East Apache Dr. in Tempe, Arizona.

History

The New School for the Arts and Academics was founded in 1995 as just a high school. In 2003 the NSAA middle school was opened. In 2005 the founding director Ronald Caya retired from his position as Dean and the principal of the middle school took that open position. Her name is Katy Ferrell-Cárdenas. When Cárdenas left the middle school Maya Hoel took her place as the middle school's principal. In the beginning of the 2007 school year, Hoel returned to being only an art teacher and is no longer the principal of the middle school. Cárdenas takes care of both schools.

Visual Arts Program

( A total of nine credits from both or either the visual arts or the performing arts programs are required for graduation. )

NSAA's visual arts program offers many courses to fit whatever the student would like to learn.

The complete course list for the visual arts program is as followed:
Visual Arts Foundations, Visual Arts: Drawing and Painting, Drawing I-II, Life Drawing I-II, Painting I, Painting II-III, Painting - Mixed Media, Mural Painting, Digital Arts I, Digital Arts II-III, Film and Digital Video, Photography I, Photography II, Ceramics I, Ceramics II-III, Fashion Design I, Fashion Design II-III, and Mixed Media/Sculpture.

Performing Arts Program

( A total of nine credits from either or both the visual arts or the performing arts programs are required for graduation. )

NSAA's performing arts program is much bigger than its visual arts program. There are many dance, music, vocal, and acting courses offered. To view the official and full list of not only the performing arts but all the other courses taught at NSAA click on the following link: [http://www.nsaamiddleandhighschool.com/departments_course.html New School for the Arts and Academic's Course Descriptions]

Academics

In addition to the many visual and performing arts courses offered, there are the standard requirements.

English

Four English credits are required for graduation. English courses are as follows;

English Composition, British Literature, American Literature, Honors Composition, Literature Rhetoric and Society, English Literature and Composition, AP Literature and Composition.

English Composition is the pre-requisite for any of the classes. To get into Honors Composition you must have premision from an instructor.

Math

(Note: Prior to attending the NSAA high school a student must have already completed Pre-Algebra.)

Four math credis are required for graduation. The math courses are as followed:

Honors Mathematics, Algebra 1-2, Algebra 1A/1B, Geometry, Algebra 3-4, and Pre-Calculus.

Algebra 1A/1B is the same as Algebra 1 but moves at a much slower pace. It takes two years to complete rather than one.

Science

Three credits are required for graduation. The science courses are as followed:

Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Physics.

Social Studies

Three credits are required for graduation. The social studies courses are as followed:

World History/Geography, Government/Economics, United States History, and AP United States History.

Foreign Language

Two credits are required from the same language for graduation. The foreign language courses are as followed:

French 1-2, French 3-4, Spanish 1-2, and Spanish 3-4.

Literary Arts

The literary arts courses are as followed:

Creative Writing I, Creative Writing II-III, Publication Design, Writing for Journalism (offered alternate years).

Requirements for Acceptance

For the high school a student must complete the application, get four letters of recommendation, do a personal interview, take the placement tests, either present a portfolio with the student's artwork if they are intending on doing visual arts or audition if the student intends on doing performing arts.

For the middle school, though all a student has to do to get in is complete an application and have the administration review it and the student's transcripts.

Random Information

The student to teacher ratio is 15 to 1.

Almost all of the teachers at NSAA have a BA or higher.

Many of the teachers are very active in the community as artists or musicians.

Students at NSAA are from 22 different zip codes.

Students must find their own way to school, no transportation is provided.

The 70 graduates of 2006 were awarded with over $650,000 worth of scholarships for many prestigious colleges.

NSAA received art grants from the city of Tempe.

In 2006, students won Best School Group and Individual First Place awards at the National High School Musical Theater Competition.

Links

* [http://www.nsaamiddleandhighschool.com/index.htm NSAA'S Homepage]
* [http://www.nsaamiddleandhighschool.com/departments_course.html New School for the Arts and Academic's Course Descriptions]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/az/1028 NSAA'S Great School Profile]

Alumni

* [http://artinreality.com Christopher Vogt, Class of 2004, Photographer]