How we achieve our promise

Every HSArts student follows a personalized pathway that nurtures both your artistic passion and academic excellence.

• Dual Excellence in Arts and Academics
• College Board Platinum AP School Honor Roll
• Award-winning dance, music & visual arts
• Small classes, real mentorship
• STEM Curriculum Integrated with Computer Science
• Bilingual English–Chinese Education with Global Exchange Opportunities
• Leadership through service & strong values
• Distinguished Arts Portfolios for College Success 
• A positive, energetic school culture 

HSArts offers three main artistic programs:

• Music (Instrumental, vocal and musical theater)
• Visual Arts (Fine Art, media art and design)
• Dance (ballet and Chinese dance)

Each student selects a primary focus but may also explore other arts through electives.

HSArts’ rigorous college-preparatory curriculum has earned the AP School Honor Roll Platinum distinction, an honor given to only 6% of eligible schools in the U.S. and Canada. Alongside our renowned arts program, HSArts provides a robust academic foundation in core subjects, emphasizing both STEM and the Humanities, to prepare students for top universities and diverse career paths.

Yes, HSArts offers honors pathways for highly motivated students:

• Humanities Honors: For students completing advanced coursework in English, history, and interdisciplinary studies.
• STEM Honors: For students excelling in advanced mathematics, science, and data science, incorporating modern technology into their studies

Students apply through an admission process that includes academic evaluation, an audition or portfolio review (for artistic programs), and an interview. We seek students with a passion for the arts and a commitment to academic excellence.

Yes, students have regular opportunities to perform and exhibit their work. HSArts hosts a variety of concerts, art exhibitions, theater productions, and dance performances throughout the year, allowing students to share their progress and creativity with the community. Additionally, students frequently showcase their talents at various venues outside of school, providing even more opportunities to display their artistic growth

We view parents, students, and the school as a strong, interconnected triangle. Only by working together can we ensure the best educational outcomes for our students. HSArts/MSArts was founded by parents, and we continue to highly value strong parent involvement. We offer various opportunities for parents to engage with the school, including parent-teacher conferences, volunteer opportunities, and regular communication through newsletters and school meetings.

The daily schedule balances academic classes in the morning with arts training in the afternoon. This structure ensures students receive a well-rounded education while pursuing their artistic passions. Students may also participate in extracurricular activities and after-school programs.

Yes, HSArts offers a variety of extracurricular activities and after-school programs, including extended arts classes, academic tutoring, sports, clubs, and volunteer opportunities. These programs help students further develop their interests outside the classroom.

Yes, a core part of the mission at HSArts is to empower students to make positive contributions to the world. At HSArts, students are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities and community outreach programs, such as performances at local events, art exhibitions, and charity fundraisers. These experiences help students build leadership skills and foster a strong sense of community awareness.

Yes, HSArts offers financial aid and scholarships to eligible students. For more information on tuition assistance, please contact our admissions office or visit the financial aid section on our website.

Yes, HSArts has a dress code that includes uniforms during the academic day. Specific attire is also required for arts classes, such as leotards for dance or smocks for visual arts. Detailed dress code guidelines are provided upon enrollment.

HSArts graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of future paths, including admission to prestigious universities, conservatories, and art colleges. Most importantly, our students are equipped to choose the college that is the right fit for them. Our strong focus on both academic and artistic excellence, combined with our comprehensive college and career counseling program, ensures that students are ready to succeed in whatever field they pursue.

San Francisco High School of the Arts (HSArts) is the only private, independent arts school serving young artists in grades 6-12 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Unlike Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA), a public school within the San Francisco Unified School District, HSArts offers smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and a holistic approach to education.

At HSArts, we combine a comprehensive arts program with a rigorous academic curriculum while instilling timeless values such as respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness, empathy, and tolerance. We hold ourselves to high standards, fostering both the artistic and personal development of our students in a safe, clean campus environment free from drugs, bullying, and theft. 

Students with a passion for the arts are encouraged to apply. Our dedicated college counseling team supports students’ growth as artists, providing personalized guidance and creating customized course pathways tailored to each student’s unique talents and dedication. Additionally, students have the opportunity to explore other artistic disciplines through elective courses.

At HSArts, we are committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment where students can thrive both artistically and academically.

We offer a variety of sports, including basketball, badminton, ping pong, volleyball, tennis, and more. Students can participate in sports clubs, and we have a school basketball team that competes with other private schools in the area. Additionally, we host in-school tournaments for badminton, ping pong, and tennis.

Academic teachers assign meaningful homework for students. For different grades and for different students, the time spent on homework may differ. Middle school students typically have an average homework load between 1-2 hours per day. For high school students, the homework load ranges from 2-3 hours per day.

At HSArts, our students are proud to say that we have the best school lunch program in the city! Each day, our dedicated in-house chef prepares a fresh and delicious buffet that offers a variety of cuisines from around the world, including Chinese, Korean, American, Italian, and Mexican dishes. Every meal is made from scratch, whether it’s freshly baked bread, Taiwanese beef noodles, pho, beef stew, burgers, BBQs, or pizza. Our buffet always includes a meat dish and a vegetarian option, along with a choice of rice, noodles, or bread. Fresh fruit, a daily soup or rice soup, and more ensure that our students are nourished with wholesome and tasty food, served hot and with care. Having lunch with their friends and chatting away is a favorite time for our students, making lunch one of the most anticipated highlights of their school day! Please find our lunch menu here.

Prospective students and families can visit our website, attend an open house, or schedule a school tour. For additional information, please contact our admissions office at admissions@HSArts.org

No. HSArts is a non-religious, secular school. Our curriculum focuses on academics and the arts, not religion

HSArts was established in 2010 by a group of dedicated parents who wanted to provide their children with an excellent education in both academics and the arts. Some of the founders practice Falun Gong, an ancient Chinese meditation discipline. However, HSArts is a non-religious school, and our curriculum is entirely secular with no religious instruction.

No. While some of our founders practice Falun Gong, the values it emphasizes—Truth, Kindness, and Tolerance—are universal values that we all share and appreciate. Our classrooms are entirely secular and inclusive, welcoming students and staff from all backgrounds. Topics such as human rights abuses, including the persecution of Falun Gong and other religious groups, are addressed in the same way we cover similar issues affecting different faiths and cultures throughout history.

Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) is an ancient meditation and self-improvement practice from China. Since 1999, the Chinese government has persecuted practitioners—once numbering over 100 million—which has created controversy and influenced how the practice is portrayed internationally.

For more information, please visit Faluninfo.net.

 Our students, families, and staff come from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. HSArts supports freedom of belief and ensures that no one is judged or treated differently based on personal or religious beliefs.

We welcome open communication. Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions about our curriculum or school culture. Our email address is info@HSArts.org and our phone # is 415.688.8272