Savannah Arts Academy

right, so my daughter spends more time sitting on her behind and cleaning studios than she does dancing in some of these classes- ridiculous! half the teachers don't even bother recording grades until after progress reports are due! This might have been a great school once but they are due for a wake up call! The kids do well because they are the brightest in the county and they spend a lot of time learning the material by themselves. you just a few really great teachers there
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing!!!! Very academic and offers so many electives and advanced content courses. The students are well behaved and the atmosphere is unlike any other high school I have seen!
—Submitted by a parent

so the bottom line is most theater productions are only for theater majors, as the (european?) student says below. if your child is only interested in one branch of the arts, saa is a great choice. it will give her an excellent education both artistically and academically. however, if your child excels in more than one art form look for a school more welcoming of multi-talented students, for example savannah country day. or like the europhile student suggests, savannah childrens theater encourages children to excel in multiple interests.
—Submitted by a parent

First of all, Savannah Arts is a fantastic school. Here's why: Everyone gets into the school on merit. This means the students here are great: talented, focused and fun. The teachers are excellent, and they don't have to deal with discipline problems, so they can really teach. Plus, because the school draws from the whole county, not just one district, if you move within the county it's not at all a problem, which is outstanding. It's true that there are shows that only theatre majors can audition for. So far this year, we've had auditions for "Dearly Departed", "Radio Show", and "Beauty". Only theatre majors could audition for the first two. So, two out of three. I don't see what the big deal is though. Dance, music, whatever, majors aren't theatre majors, so why should they audition for theatre shows? In Europe students are pretty committed to a major by the time they're 16. What is with Americans? I've wanted to be an actor since I was a little kid. If your grand daughter really wants more theatre, she could do SCT ensemble. I've got friends there and they're great too. Or she could change major.
—Submitted by a student

The information from a parent concerning pigeon-holing students at Savanah Arts is untrue and gives incorrect information. Students of all majors are encouraged to audition for major productions such as this year's musical production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. There is a difference between auditioning for a production and not being cast and not being allowed to aution at all.
—Submitted by a teacher

Savannah Arts has superb academics and passionate teachers in each of the arts majors. People should be warned, however, that Savannah Arts Academy doesn't want multitalented kids. My granddaughter is a dance major, but she also loves acting. They won't even let her try out for most plays because she's the "wrong" major. You'd think Savannah Arts Academy would want to grow their students, but they just want to pigeon-hole them.
—Submitted by a parent

Many teachers will not tolerate ideas that challenge their personal opinion, and many of the teachers' opinions are liberal. Suggested reading material for one class was a book written by MSNBC host Chris Matthews. No book written by those with opposing viewpoints was in the required reading. My son was in an AP class, had a perfect 100 average, participated in several extracurricular activities related to the class;, no one had as high an average, but he still did not receive the award in that class, probably because of his conservative convictions. He was not the only student to come across this attitude.
—Submitted by a parent

I am honored to work with the students and faculty at Savannah Arts Academy. There is no place like it. It amazes me to see the talent in these students and a pleasure to see them grow and thrive in academics, arts, and athletics. A little known fact about SAA is that we are a force in the athletic realm as well as our other successes! By the way, last week we received the Govenor's Cup for AAAAA schools for SAT scores for the second year in a row!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am proud to teach the talented students of SAA.
—Submitted by a teacher

I go to SAA and I love it! It's a great environment, and is filled with wonderful people. I lam learning more then I ever did at private school, and have teachers who are glad to help me and accomodate my needs. I highly reccomend SAA to anyone interested in the arts and has a passion for learning!
—Submitted by a student

This is my child's first year at SAA after transferring from another public high school. At her old school, she did well academically but struggled with being 'just another number'. SAA's smaller class sizes, emphasis on the arts, and high academic standards suit her to a T. She loves the diversity of the students and doesn't miss the typical high school cliques. The only thing she doesn't love are the uniforms, which were introduced a couple of years ago. Other than that, she has nothing but positive things to say about SAA.
—Submitted by a parent

After having children in private school for over a decade and arriving at savannah arts, i have to ask myself what were we thinking? The academics here are superior to private school. The focus on arts definitely superior. These are some of the best and the brightest students at this school and i am happy that my child has the opportunity to go to this school. I also love that this was my high school and my parent's high school when it was savannah high. The teachers encourage excellence, they encourage diversity and we absolutely have no reservations about this school. Savannah arts is what all schools should be.
—Submitted by a parent

The Savannah Arts Academy has been named one of just six 'Blue Ribbon' schools in Georgia. Their students are in the top ten percent when it comes to state tests The students work hard, parents give us great support and our faculty is tops
—Submitted by a parent

I was in the first class to graduate all 4 years at the Savannah Arts Academy (2002). My mother is also a teacher for LD kids at the school. I don't think I would have been much happier if I had a attended a regular public school. This charter public school not only focuses on your arts major, but enables you to open your minds to a distinguished variety of individuals beyond those of football players, cheerleaders, and the other typical 'groups' in a regualr school. This arts school enhanced my education and prepared me for college with great opportunities to fullfil my disires. I highly recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by H. Shernoff, a former student

I am currently a senior at SAA. I attended public school my whole life and started here my freshman year. I would never think of going to another highschool. i love this school. the teachers are more like friends and they want you to succeed, and the student body doesn't have many cliches. You can express yourself and your treated with respect from everyone. i really don't want to graduate this year because all of the people at this school ahve been so involved in my life. I lvoe the small srtudent body also. Youknow all of your teachers and they know you. Ill miss SAA so much, and i will surely be comingback to visit!
—Submitted by a student

I am not a parent and I did not graduate from SAA either. But I stayed for a wonderful year as an exchange student (I am from Germany) and I must say that the academics were good. Also the arts program was. I always felt good and accepted and everyone was very helpfull. SAA is a school you enjoy going to.
—Submitted by Nina Kathrin, a former student

I am a parent of 2 attending Savannah Arts Academy and this school is second to none in this district. Not even the private sector schools can compare. It is certainly Chatham Counties flagship school both academically and artistically. The school supports both standard high school instruction as well as advanced placement instruction. If your child qualifies for this school and doesn't go, you are doing yourself and even more your child a disservice! The numbers speak for themselves but the kids and their accomplishments both while attending and post educationally speak even louder! PLEASE, let me be the first in line to thank the district and the professionals who run and teach at this school for an outstanding experience!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a teacher for 34 years in Chatham County and started gifted programs in 4 middle schools. The past two years I have worked as a mentor in 8 schools in Chatham County. My granddaughter attends this school and I am thrilled at the academics and enrichment that she receives at this school. The administration, teacers, and student body are really all working together. Thanks for having this institution for our students.
—Submitted by Patricia Smiley, a teacher

I in the first ever class of students at this school, (I attended for 3 years) There are alot of things to be considered. Yes! this school is a great place for academics, but the focus is arts! (hence the name!) The teachers are some of the best in the state! The programs offered and the diversity is un-imaginable. Students learn tolerance first hand.
—Submitted by Class of 2001, a former student

My oldest graduated from Jenkins High (also a great academic school) and my youngest will graduate this year from Savannah Arts. The academics are fairly equal at both schools but the overall environment at Savannah Arts is far superior. With the arrival of the present principal, academics as well as environmet has improved. As a parent, I like the fact that if you don't maintain an 80% you are sent back to your neighborhood school. What an incentive to do your work! SAA has a lot of kids transferring into it from our many private schools. We have an abundance of caring and talented teachers as well. I have been very satisfied with this school.
—Submitted by a parent