MISSION & VISION

What We Believe In

Arizona School for the Arts provides a unique curriculum that interweaves rigorous academics and performing arts. The correlation between playing music and improved cognition is well-documented. However, beyond purely cognitive benefits are the immeasurable long-term social and emotional gains. Performing arts teaches creative problem-solving and builds confidence and inclusivity among students. Our students possess a rare poise, maturity, and civic mindedness for such young ages. ASA graduates are accomplished communicators who are engaged artistically and well-prepared for college, and life.

 

MISSION

ASA inspires creative thinkers and leaders through providing an innovative concentration in college preparation informed by the performing arts.

VISION

ASA intends to do the following: 

  • Provide a physically safe and secure environment for its students.
  • Provide rigorous, challenging, and stimulating college preparatory academic programs.
  • Provide the opportunity to work with professional artists as part the core curriculum of the school. 

CORE VALUES

ASA believes in a school culture that values:

  • High standards
  • Striving for excellence
  • Curiosity
  • Collaboration
  • Individuality 
  • Civic engagement
  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Innovation Leadership 

DECLARATION OF AN ASA STUDENT AND GRADUATE:

  • AS AN ASA STUDENT, I seek out professors during office hours, offer unique solutions, chart new paths, form class study groups, bridge culture through music, appreciate different points of view, ask questions, take action, challenge assumptions with evidence, and imagine multiple solutions.
  • AS AN ASA GRADUATE, I am college prepared, arts engaged, an accomplished communicator, civic-minded, performance-ready, and a practitioner of practice (practice, practice).

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT   

MAKING AN IMPACT

ASA’s college preparatory-level instruction on government, history, law, and democracy develops civic-minded students who become role models in their communities and stewards of good citizenship. In-class discussions on current local, national and international issues ignite curiosity in students about the world and self-reflection about their place within it. ASA students are active in school governance and the democratic process and take advantage of extra-curricular opportunities to engage with ASA and the community. They have a passion for making a difference. 

In fact, ASA has been recognized with multiple Arizona Civic Engagement School of Excellence awards since 2013, a credit to the great community-minded thinkers of ASA.

ARTS ENGAGEMENT 

MAKING AN IMPACT

In addition to their more than 200 required school performances produced from their class study, ASA students are a recognizable and valued part of the downtown arts community. They seek out opportunities beyond the school gates to engage as independent artists, arts supporters, advocates, volunteers, and leaders. Already, they are setting a pathway to becoming the Valley’s future artists, audience, and patrons.

Our students perform in a variety of highly esteemed venues and locations, such as Frank Lloyd Wright/Taliesin, AZ Opera, Herberger: Downtown Space Activation Project, Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Hance Park

THE ASA DIFFERENCE 

Combine the boost of an arts education and an academic curriculum that stimulates critical thinking with motivated, passionate, curious, and thoughtful young people, and the stage is set for a life of opportunity and success, as they define it!