Asawa (Ruth) San Francisco School of the Arts, A Public School

My child is thriving at SOTA. While not every academic teacher has been a perfect fit for her, the great majority are engaging, encouraging and excellent overall. The heads of her artistic discipline (Theatre Design and Technology) are wholly dedicated to the students. They demand the very best from each child, and get it. Staff and administrators are responsive to any issues that come up. In addition, the culture of the school is unique. Frequent performances and exhibitions in all disciplines make up the core of social life at SOTA. The best aspect of the school is the young men and women in action, expressing themselves and supporting one another. There are no stars on GreatSchools to measure that important area, but I'd give SOTA an "11".
—Submitted by a parent

I am sure that the previous comment is posted by a prankster of some sort. It just doesn't read like an actual comment by a teacher. A teacher would probably spell "Principal" correctly at least. I find Carmelo to be an excellent administrator. Easy to talk to, low drama, intelligent and a straight shooter. I guess this site can't do any fact checking or prevent anonymous posters from posting falsehoods.
—Submitted by a parent

Best school in San Francisco! I love going there! All the teachers are great, most are like personal mentors! I have friends at other schools in SF, most hate them, but I love going to school! Also, the classes are really not as easy that people say. The academics are very challenging.
—Submitted by a student

SOTA has great positives and some negatives. The academics are excellent - only if you are in Honors and AP. You can get a great education here if you take that track. If you don't, expect to get into the California State University system or City College. My son did great, but some did not. Parent participation is key. Some teachers are fantastic, but some really do not teach well. Be a pro-active parent. My child was in theater and the teachers were negative and arbitrary in some ways. They seemed to bear grudges in a manner inappropriate and unprofessional. Perhaps they are burned out. There was still much that was terrific, unique, stirring, exceptional. You will be stunned by the sheer talent in these programs. No school is perfect. All in all, I would do it again.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my teenagers love attending this school. Although there are not as many choices in terms of clubs or classes that you would find in a larger school - the fact that these young artists can immerse themselves in their field is a fantastic opportunity. The academics are certainly strong - the most exciting humanites faculty you could wish for and the leadership of a great Principal. If your student is serious about the arts - this school is the top choice - we have had growth on the API, our students get accepted into top colleges and do well on the SATs.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are a SOTA graduate and a SOTA junior. I'm so glad they chose and had access to an arts school; their high school life has been far, far richer than I could ever have imagined. Both have top standardized test scores and SATs, so the unbiased data confirms that their education has been fine. They are both quirky kids -- and a school full of artistic kids and artistic teachers can be like herding cats; it's not a desks-in-a-row-rigid-schedule atmosphere -- but we've been very happy with SOTA. My son was totally focused on his music and attends Oberlin College, getting a dual music-liberal arts degree. My daughter is very involved with her music but is also deeply engaged with SOTA's championship Mock Trial team, which was No. 2 in California last year and is going to the state finals for the fourth year in a row this year. SOTA is probably not for a kid who needs total structure at all times, but for a kid who's passionate about his or her art and thrives in a creative atmosphere, check it out!
—Submitted by a parent

Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, A Public School is good for your child who has art talent.
—Submitted by a parent

SOTA is a druggy school. It also doesn't have a very good academic program. Not one of the schools I'd want my kids attending.
—Submitted by a parent

My adult children are both graduates. They received a consummate music education and the academics were strong, too. The performing opportunities helped them develop confidence, discipline and creativity that carried over to all their work. They are both productive graduate students now (daughter, law school; son, getting his masters in piano in Germany), and part of the credit goes to the strong foundation and love for learning they developed at SOTA.
—Submitted by a parent

SOTA is a great school if your child has a particular art they want to pursue and is strongly self motivated academically (or with parent support). The staff and administration are doing a lot with very little. Unfortunately, SOTA's culture is influenced greatly by the lack of resources for public schools and especially with lack of professional development for the teachers. The teachers and directors have a wide variety of experience and skills, from excellent to sorely lacking. Due to class size and lack of resources and support, there seems to be an inability to follow through with promises of communication with the parents and natural consequences for positive student participation or behavior problems. I've personally witnessed directors being unprofessional in their interactions with students, with little or no indication that this would be corrected. I would not recommend this school if your child isn't self-motivated or has learning differences.
—Submitted by a parent

the Ruth Asawa San Francisco SOTA does a fabulous job of integrating the arts into a rigorous academic regimen. Intense parent involvement and support where each student is valued and supported. The students are friendly, open and accepting in a vibrant arts community. A very high percentage of SOTA students are accepted to the most prestigious universities and arts schools in the nation.
—Submitted by a parent

A special place for young artists to grow and for them to define themselves. The creativity encouraged in the arts classes and the confidence gained through the teachers' respect for the individual, shows in the academic classes. I wish there was a school like SOTA when I was in high school.
—Submitted by a parent

The students here are so accepting and open minded bunch o findividuals, who care about each other and their arts
—Submitted by a student

Our school is a place of creativity and inovation. It is filled with kids who want to be there, who want to learn, and who want to share their art with the world. We have great teachers and faculty who are dedicated, careing, and energetic, though grosley underfunded. The kids are accepting and all get along. If someone felt like it they could come to school in anything from a buissness suit to full drag and not get laughed at or made fun of. We already know that our school is great, and we hope that you will recognize its greatness as well.
—Submitted by a parent

the teachers and the great atmosphere/enviroment at the school.
—Submitted by a student

I love this school. Everyday is full of energy and the students are incredibly interesting. It is like one of those places where you will never be bored.
—Submitted by a student

I am an alumni of S.O.T.A. and I loved this school for all its worth, despite having little funding. The experiences I had at S.O.T.A. brought the happiest memories. They provide an art education that meets college levels, I would say it even topped it. This school deserves more.

Our school is basically 'Fame' in a nutshell. We are breeding the next 'up-and-coming' artists. It's pretty awesome.
—Submitted by a student

It allows students to funnel their creativity into their art disciplines. It is an excellent opportunity for young adults to better their skills in their art form and ready them for a future in the arts.
—Submitted by a student

My child loves the atmosphere at her school. It has also allowed her to develop her artistic skills and merit.
—Submitted by a parent