Please contact Registrar at (480) 481-9235 ext 0 for Enrollment details.

About NSAA download pdf

NSAA Application download pdf

Requirements & Application Instructions

Entrance Requirements
New School for the Arts & Academics is open to all students in grades 6 - 12 with an interest in the arts. Previous arts experience is highly recommended but not required. Prior to acceptance to NSAA, all applicants must:

be prepared to succeed in academic and arts classes
demonstrate a commitment to post-secondary education (i.e., college)
demonstrate interest in, and commitment to, the NSAA academic and arts curriculum
be free of discipline or behavior problems that may interfere with the functioning of NSAA
NSAA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, handicap, or sexual orientation and an applicant cannot be accepted or rejected on the basis of any of those factors.

Application Instructions
Each prospective student must complete the application process to be considered for admission to NSAA. This process is designed to identify the students who will get the most benefit from NSAA programs.

1. Take a Tour - It is often best for interested students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) to request an information packet and make a visit to the school before submitting an application. NSAA holds several open houses throughout the year or students can call to schedule a personal tour. Click here to check the calendar for Open House dates.

2. Request an Application - Contact NSAA and request an application form. There are several ways to get the application form:

a. call the school at (480) 481-9235, ext 0
b. fax: (480) 970-6625
c. write to the school at:

New School for the Arts & Academics
Attention: Registrar
1216 E. Apache Blvd.
Tempe, AZ 85281

d. click here to download the application form.
e. send an e-mail to registrar@aznsa.com

3. Complete the Application - The application must be completely filled out including the essay. Both the student and a legal parent or guardian must sign the application.

4. Get letters of recommendation - There must be two letters of recommendation from academic and arts teachers with each application. Recommendation forms are included with the application. The letters of recommendation can be submitted with the completed application or they may be mailed directly to NSAA.

5. Get school transcripts - Before processing the application, NSAA must have a copy of the student's transcripts from their current or most recently attended school. Home school students should contact the NSAA registrar to discuss acceptable alternatives to transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are OK for the application and NSAA will request an official transcript from the student's school after the student is accepted.

6. Submit the application - Mail or deliver the completed application and supporting documentation to:

New School for the Arts & Academics
Attention: Registrar
1216 E. Apache Blvd.
Tempe, AZ 85281

7. Review the application - NSAA staff and faculty will review the application for quality and completeness. At this point, NSAA may request more information, deny the application, or proceed with the application process.

8. Personal Interview - If the application passes the initial review process, the student will be scheduled for a personal interview at NSAA. During the interview, the student will be expected to:

a. discuss how NSAA can help the student to achieve his or her goals
b. respond to questions from NSAA faculty and staff
c. present a portfolio of art work if the student is a visual artist
d. audition if the student is a performing artist
e. provide proof of current shots

9. Placement tests - Entering freshmen will be required to take a math placement test to determine skill level. All in-coming 9th-graders are expected to be ready to succeed in Algebra 1-2. Students who have not taken Pre-Algebra or demonstrate competence on the placement test must take a Pre-Algebra course prior to enrollment.

10. Acceptance - The student will be notified of the school's decision. This will normally occur at the end of the personal interview, but may be done by telephone or mail at a later date.