Audition

Auditions for the 2026-27 school year are now closed.  

Auditions will be offered if space becomes available by appointment only.  Please contact Paulette Cauthorn, cauthornp@sfusd.edu for more information.

Please note, the information on our website is from the 2026-27 application year. It will be updated over the summer, completed Fall 2026 for the 2027-28 school year.

Applications are accepted from ALL current 8th grade students who meet San Francisco residency requirements.  Current 9th, 10th, or 11th grade applicants are considered only if space is available.  Link to this section

Students will be considered at Asawa SOTA after completing all 3 parts of the application process listed below.

3. APPLY to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and select Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA) as a preferred school.  Application deadline is Friday, December 11, 2026, at 5pm.  

   All SFUSD and Non-SFUSD students who meet San Francisco residency requirements may apply to the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA). Complete the 2027-2028 SFUSD Online Enrollment Application. Select Ruth Asawa SOTA as a preferred high school and check the art department you are applying to.  The application is accessible through ParentVue for current SFUSD students and available for non-SFUSD students HERE.  

4. Complete an Audition Assignment for the department you are applying to.

   Audition Assignments are unique to each art department and fall into two general categories, Visual Art Departments and Performing Art Departments. 

   If you are applying to a Visual Art Department (listed below) you will UPLOAD your assignment no later than December 11, 2026, at 5pm. Visual Art Departments include Architecture & Design,  Media & Film,  Technical Theatre-Stagecraft, Costume & Fashion Design, Visual Art Drawing & Painting, Creative Writing,  Spoken Arts.

   If you are applying to a Performing Art Department you will create or learn and practice your Audition Assignment and be prepared to perform the assignment, Audition DAY/DATE/TIME TBD.  There is NO UPLOAD.  Performing Art Departments include Conservatory Dance,  World Dance,  Music - Conservatory Instrumental, Vocal Music, World Music, Music Production (EM & Guitar),Theatre (acting), Musical Theatre.

   Please note: Audition Assignments are required for all students and will help students prepare for the audition and inform them about the work done in department they are applying to. 

5. Participate in the Audition:  DATE/TIME TBD

   Audition times and details will be posted on our website December 19, 2026 by 5pm, please check back. 

   Students audition for one art department or strand ONLY.

   A second audition may be held in any art department where seats were not filled..  Students who auditioned in January may audition again for a different department.

   Please note:  All Students audition in person, in all disciplines, on the same day.  Do your best and be on time. Auditions can not be rescheduled. 

Students who apply to Ruth Asawa SOTA must live in San Francisco with a parent/legal guardian at the time of application, and continue to live in San Francisco while attending Asawa SOTA. Interdistrict permits are not allowed for admission.

Follow application directions and contact us if you have questions or need support prior to the submission deadline: cauthornp@sfusd.edu