The New School for the Arts & Academics (NSAA) is a tuition-free Tempe charter school founded in 1995 by Ron Caya to give students “an advantage in the arts with the primary goal of producing graduates who are prepared to enter the professional fields of art and education.”
The middle and high schools at NSAA are in a building that was once the Electric Ballroom, a venue where No Doubt, Weezer, Phish, Nirvana and Iggy Pop once played.
Today, the talented students are engaged with the community beyond the school campus. NSAA has been recognized as an Arizona Civic Engagement School of Distinction, with its student population actively participating in local events and community festivals.
NSAA’s robust curriculum combines academics and the arts, and the school has about 180 students in grades 6-12. The school is ranked #3 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Arizona, according to Niche.
Offering both visual and performing arts classes, NSAA’s courses include a wide range of topics, including ceramics, digital and 3D design, mixed media, fashion and jewelry design, painting and drawing, acting, music and theatrical design and production. College readiness is also a top priority at NSAA, which also provides a full range of academic topics.
New School for the Arts & Academics
Charter Middle, High School
|
Grade 9-12
1216 E Apache Blvd,
Tempe, AZ
School Details
Average SAT Score
1180
Average ACT Score
25
Math Proficiency
64.5%
Reading Proficiency
64.5%
Average GPA
3.55
Graduation Rate
74.5%
Niche Grade
B-
A+
C+
B
C
C-
C-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.55
Reading Proficiency
64.5%
Math Proficiency
64.5%
Teachers
Teachers in First or Second Year
6.1%
College Prep
Average SAT
1180
Math
560
Verbal
620
Average ACT
25
Math
23
English
25
Reading
29
Science
23
Number of AP Courses
2
AP Pass Rate
19%
AP Math Enrollment
Very Low
AP Science Enrollment
Very Low
Other AP Enrollment
Very Low
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
36%
State Average
44%
Science
25%
State Average
31%
Student Diversity
Female
69.5%
Male
30.5%
White
60.1%
Hispanic
23.2%
Two or more races
7.4%
Black
3.9%
Native American
3.4%
Asian or Pacific Islander
1.5%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Interested in learning more about homes nearby? Reach out to Kirsten Myers, an agent with experience near this school.
School Rankings
#4
Best HS for the Arts in Arizona
#46
Best Public HS Teachers in Arizona
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
Arizona State University
49 Students
Northern Arizona University
25 Students
University of Arizona
18 Students
Mesa Community College
18 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
10 Students
California Institute of the Arts
9 Students
Grand Canyon University
8 Students
Pacific Northwest College of Art
8 Students
Berklee College of Music
7 Students
Laguna College of Art & Design
7 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Fine Arts
13 Students
Creative Writing
10 Students
Psychology
9 Students
Business
7 Students
Arts
7 Students
Music
7 Students
Photography
7 Students
Music Performance
6 Students
Illustration
6 Students
Music Theory and Composition
6 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
5/11/2024
The school has a good foundation and is enjoyable to attend, however some aspects are un organized. generally a good experience and suitable learning environment
2/19/2019
New School for the Arts is a very diverse community, it's easy to make friends and overall is a very tight-knit school where everyone is friendly and supportive of each other. The school focuses on the art that their students wants to peruse, but still provides academic focus that doesn't overrule the students' involvement in their art classes. The teachers are very understanding and easy to communicate with and provide help to students when needed.
7/13/2018
My child just finished her 8th grade year at NSAA. Last year I have watched her confidence grow. This school develops students critical thinking skills as well as nutures creativity. All the faculty are highly communicative about assigments, projects and exams as well as a place to check weekly grades.
GreatSchools Reviews
3/4/2025
This school saved my high school career. After COVID, I went online and had horrible grades. Since coming to NSAA, my grades and mental health have improved greatly. I have straight As and feel accepted here.
3/3/2025
This is my daughter’s first year at NSAA. She has been supported in her talents and recognized for her abilities. She is thriving. They understand her individual needs and have worked with her to be able to succeed. We are happy to have found a school that is suited for her and her love of art!
1/4/2021
The teachers are great and it's a shame that the administration is horrid. I mean THE WORST EVER!! As a educator who sub-contracts in many of the Valley's schools, I was shocked and sad to learn how she ran the school. The dean is in control of everything and there is no biased governing board to in...
11/19/2020
The administration is directly responsible for everything wrong with this school. No one is held to any permanent standards, and the Dean decides who she will and won't help. Preferential treatment is the elephant in the room. Students get a free, easy ride through to their diploma, and nearly all o...
Agents Specializing Near This School
-
Kirsten Myers
Kirsten Myers
RE/MAX Fine Properties
(623) 343-3629
133 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$510,000 Price
-
Joseph Maggiore
Joseph Maggiore
Desert Dimensions Properties
(888) 603-1397
64 Total Sales
3 Near This School
$250K - $360K Price Range
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Michelle Colbert
Michelle Colbert
Keller Williams Integrity First
(623) 321-0682
333 Total Sales
4 Near This School
$329K - $490K Price Range
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Terry Donatto
Terry Donatto
Katerra Realty
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55 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$210,000 Price
-
Stephanie Leidenheimer
Stephanie Leidenheimer
DreamView Realty
(520) 523-7198
104 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$210,000 Price
-
Tim Cusick
Tim Cusick
Homelogic Real Estate
(480) 712-0156
330 Total Sales
7 Near This School
$203K - $730K Price Range
Map
About Downtown Tempe
List Price Range
$188K - $1.5M
Homes For Sale
4
Average Home Value
$544,684
Median Lot Size
3,049 Sq Ft
% Renters
91%
Household Income
$59,751
% of College Grads
61.7%
Median Age
26
Average House Size
1,236 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
92.9%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 9th to 12th
- Charter
- 9th to 12th
- Charter
- 6th to 12th
- Charter
Parks in this Area
Jaycee Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Birchett Park
- Trails
- Multi-Purpose Field
Creamery Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Pickleball
Rio Salado Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Bike Trails
- Boating
Creamery Park
- Basketball
- Dog Park
- Grills
Daley Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Clark Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Dog Park
Hayden Butte Preserve
- Trails
Ragsdale-MLK Park
- Trails
- Multi-Purpose Field
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
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Maple Ash
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Mitchell Park East
Artsy enclave near downtown Tempe and Arizona State University
Mitchell Park West
A walkable neighborhood roughly a mile from downtown Tempe and ASU
Gililland
Midcentury homes in a laid-back neighborhood right by Arizona State University
Marilyn Ann
Walkable neighborhood just over a mile from downtown Tempe and ASU