Skip Navigation  

Academy of Arts and Sciences at Asawa SOTA

School code number: 832
Grade Level: 9-12
Hours: 8:00AM - 3:10PM

555 Portola Drive, San Francisco, CA, 94131
Neighborhood: Diamond Heights
Phone: (415) 695-5700
Fax: (415) 695-5326
Website: www.sotacad.org
School Loop: aas-sfusd-ca.schoolloop.com
Principal: Carmelo P. Sgarlato

School Data

          Discover this school

          The Academy of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to providing each student with a nurturing and individualized learning experience. We are here to promote self-advocacy, foster social awareness, and cultivate creative problem-solving skills. We foster an environment where all students are accepted and nurtured to be who they are. Students at The Academy are expected to be independent learners and take responsibility for their education. The educational and social atmosphere is non-traditional in the sense that students have many freedoms, and classroom work is characterized by creative, exploratory activities. Teachers and administrators trust students to take charge of their education and actively engage in activities and school-wide productions.

          The Academy of Arts and Sciences became a Small School by Design (SSD) in 2009. As a SSD, The Academy joins a network of five small schools that believe in the idea that smaller schools are able to serve the unique needs of all their students, while still offering college preparatory classes. The Academy of Arts and Sciences offers a rigorous and relevant curriculum to meet the needs of our diverse student body. The main emphasis is on a creative science/math block that incorporates collaborative projects, interconnections between the subject areas, and the integration of artistic and innovative thinking with traditional subject matter. Academy students enjoy an arts-based curriculum and at times are placed in classes taught by SOTA teachers. Academy students have the benefit of the Wellness Center on campus, and receive college counseling through a college counseling club, as well as individual college counseling their senior year. Academy students are offered arts instruction is the following disciplines: classical guitar, taiko drumming, Gamelan Jegog, visual arts and vocal music.

          School Tours

          Tours are from 8:00 – 9:15 AM (NO RSVP NEEDED FOR TOUR).  Tours are on Thursdays:  10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/10, 11/17Tours will begin with a Q and A session with counselors, students, administrators and parents.  The actual tours will be led by students and current parents.  Please meet in Room 226. Shadowing from 9:30 – 12:20 AM (MUST RSVP)Students can sign up to shadow by emailing Paulette Cauthorn atcauthornp@sfusd.edu or calling the school at 695 – 5700Shadowing spots are limited to 10 students per day.Shadowing will be the SAME DAY AS THE TOURS.  Shadow students should be picked up/leave campus at 12:20 or stay through lunch until 1:10.
          Contact Greg Markwith at markwithg@sfusd.edu for more information.

          Uniforms

          None

          Special Education Programs

          • Designated Instructional Services
          • Resource Specialist Program

          Resource Specialist Program, Designated Instructional Services

          Language Programs

          English Plus Pathway

          Opportunities for Parental Involvement

          The Academy of Arts and Sciences maintains a parent organization and is looking to expand that strong support further in 2010 - 2011 to involve as much of our school community in the governance of the school.

          Additional Info

          The Academy of Arts and Sciences became one of SFUSD's five Small School by Design (SSD) in 2009 and completed its initial WASC visit in spring, 2010. The Academy continues to explore community-based partnerships and a rigorous and relevant curriculum to meet the needs of our diverse student body.