Prospective Students

ALL INFORMATION FULLY UPDATED BY 9/30/2026 Link to this section

The Ruth Asawa School of the Arts is a San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), public high school for 9th - 12th grade students.  We offer a rigorous college preparatory curriculum in addition to visual and performing art classes daily.   Link to this section

All students audition to qualify for placement to attend the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts.

Asawa SOTA has 16 distinct art departments/strands.   Link to this section

Students APPLY and AUDITION for ONE ART Department and remain in that department for 4 years.

• Architecture + Design

• Conservatory Dance 

• Conservatory Instrumental Music

• Commercial Music (Electronic Music + Guitar)

• Costume + Fashion Design

• Creative Writing 

• Media/Film

• Musical Theater

• Spoken Art

• Theater

• Technical Theater

• Visual Arts

• Vocal Music + Classical Piano 

• World Dance

• World Music

Applicants must complete ALL parts of this 3-PART Process to be considered for placement, 2027-28 school year.    PLEASE NOTE:  this information will be fully updated by Oct. 1, 2026 Link to this section

1. APPLY  to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Online Enrollment Application - Deadline: December 11, 2026.   Applicants submit an SFUSD Online Application, www.sfusd.edu/enroll - select Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in your preference order.
2. AUDITION ASSIGNMENT are required for all students.  The following departments have a December 11, deadline to UPLOAD audition assignments: Architecture + Design, Media + Film, Technical Theater, Costume + Fashion Design, Visual Art, and Creative Writing.  All other departments learn, practice and perform audition assignments on audition day.

3. AUDITION (In-Person at Asawa SOTA): Saturday, January 9, 2027 (PLEASE SAVE THE DATE).  All students audition to be considered.      

   Audition times, by department, will be posted ON OUR WEBSITE, Dec. 19, 2026, by 5pm (please check back).   

SCHOOL TOURS  

Due to limited seating in our theater, one student and one parent/guardian please.  All other guests will be seated if space is available. 

1. Wednesday, September 30, 12:30pm to 2:20pm 
2. Wednesday, October 28, 12:30pm to 2:30pm

School Tours begin with an auditorium presentation in the Dan Kryston Memorial Theater, DKMT, located on the Asawa SOTA campus, 555 Portola Drive, SF.  The theater opens at noon, the presentation begins at 12:30 pm and is followed by an art department and general campus tour.

Students and families will learn about the academics, arts, and culture, requirements, and the application, audition assignment, and audition process and meet some of our administrators, artists, and students.

Campus parking is VERY limited so plan accordingly and consider walking, biking, MUNI, and car sharing.  

If you are unable to attend a school tour, please view our virtual school tour HERE.

HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT

Due to limited seating in our theater, one student and one parent/guardian please. All other guests will be seated if space is available.

• Dates/Times/TBD

WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS  Link to this section

7th and 8th grade students only (8th graders given priority)

SIGN UP HERE (AVAILABLE SOON) for workshops will be available soon for 1 or 2 art department workshops. Learn more about our art department offerings and the application process  -  NO DROP INS.

1. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Select One Session Only)
   • Session #1:  3pm - 3:40pm
   • Session #2:  4:30 - 5:10pm  pm 
2. Wednesday, 11/18, 2026 (Select One Session Only)
   • Session #1:  3pm - 3:40pm
   • Session #2:  4:30pm - 5:10pm 

Prospective students connect with Asawa SOTA students

The SOTA Buddy Program is an initiative aimed at helping prospective or incoming SOTA students connect with current SOTA students via email to gain valuable insights into student life and the SOTA experience.

Sign Up HERE if you are interested in connecting with a current SOTA student.

There are NO STUDENT SHADOW opportunities. Please attend a School Tour.