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
34%
State Average
48%
Science
35%
State Average
30%
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%
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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...
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SB
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Map
About Downtown Tempe
List Price Range
$255K - $2.7M
Homes For Sale
22
Average Home Value
$543,103
Median Lot Size
2,178 Sq Ft
% Renters
91%
Household Income
$59,751
% of College Grads
61.7%
Median Age
26
Average House Size
1,144 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
92.7%
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
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