Prospective Students

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

Asawa SOTA has 9 art departments with 10 strands.  Students select one art department or strand within a department.

• Architecture + Design

• Dance - Conservatory Dance or World Dance

• Media + Film

• Music - Classical Instrumental, Contemporary Instrumental, Vocal Music, or World Music

• Musical Theater

• Theater

• Technical Theater - Stagecraft or Costume + Fashion Design

• Visual Arts (Drawing + Painting)

• Writing - Creative Writing or Spoken Arts

Applicants must complete this 3 part process to be considered for placement for the 2026-27 school year. Link to this section

• Apply to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Online Enrollment Application - Deadline: December 12, 2025.   Applicants submit an SFUSD Online Application, www.sfusd.edu/enroll - select Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in your preference order.
• All students complete an Audition Assignment. Assignments are specific for the department you apply to and some require students to UPLOAD in advance (see below), Deadline: December 12, 2025.
  • Visual Art Departments UPLOAD the Audition Assignment, deadline: December 12, 2025.  This includes Architecture + Design, Media + Film, Tech: Stagecraft and Costume + Fashion Design, Visual Art, Creative Writing and Spoken Arts.
  • Performing Art Departments learn, practice, and perform the Audition Assignment during the Audition. This includes Conservatory Dance, World Dance, Classical Instrumental Music, Contemporary Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, World Music, Theater Acting, Musical Theater. There is nothing to upload in advance of the audition.
• All students who wish to be considered at Ruth Asawa SOTA are required to Audition (In-Person at Asawa SOTA) Saturday, January 10, 2026 (PLEASE SAVE THE DATE).

  • Audition times posted ON OUR WEBSITE Dec. 19, 2025, by 5pm (please check back). 

    Please note: Students must complete ALL 3 parts to be considered. AUDITION TIMES will be posted ON OUR WEBSITE December 19, 2025, by 5pm.  

School Tour Dates  -  All are welcome! Link to this section

1. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 (12:30pm - 2:30pm)
2. Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (12:30pm - 2:30pm)
3. Wednesday, November 12, 2025 (12:30pm - 2:30pm)

School Tours begin with an auditorium presentation in the Dan Kryston Memorial Theater, located on the Asawa SOTA campus, 555 Portola Drive, SF.  The theater opens at noon and the presentation begins promptly at 12:30pm 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.

WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS  -  7th and 8th grade students (8th graders given priority) 

SIGN UP HERE  for 1 or 2 art department workshops. Learn more about our art department offerings and the application process  -  NO DROP INS.

1. Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (3pm - 3:40pm or 3:50pm - 4:30pm)
2. Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (3pm - 3:40pm or 3:50pm - 4:30pm)
3. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 (3pm - 3:40pm or 3:50pm - 4:30pm)

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.