About Us

The award-winning California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) provides a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment that offers bright and talented students unparalleled preparation for higher education and a profession in the arts.

Founded in 2017, CSArts-SGV currently serves a diverse student body of approximately 1,200 gifted students in grades 6-12 from more than 80 cities within and outside of the San Gabriel Valley. While middle school students receive their academic instruction through Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) and their arts instruction through CSArts-SGV, high school students attend both academic and arts classes full-time on the CSArts-SGV campus. In addition to a college-preparatory academic program, CSArts-SGV offers pre-professional arts training in a variety of conservatories within the Schools of Dance, Fine & Media Arts, Music, and Theatre. This innovative public charter school embraces and encourages artistic creativity and academic excellence, producing lifelong learners who matriculate to top tier colleges, universities, and conservatory programs. CSArts-SGV is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

As a public charter school, CSArts-SGV is donation dependent, but no student is offered or denied admission based on financial capacity. Through a public-private partnership, the State of California provides funding for the academic instructional program offered at CSArts-SGV; however, the school must privately raise approximately $4 million to fund the arts conservatory programs each year. CSArts-SGV relies heavily on its families and the community-at-large to reach this goal.

Mission Statement

We provide an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment to a diverse student body passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential.

Core Values

Student growth and education comes first.
Commitment to excellence, innovation, professionalism, and integrity.
Foster a nurturing environment of creativity, respect, and collaboration.
Commitment to life-long artistic and scholarly development.

Our History

CSArts-SGV was opened to provide more students with the same life-transforming arts and academic programming celebrated at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). In its 37-year history, OCSA has become one of the most selective high schools in the nation. In an effort to serve as many deserving students as possible, leaders at OCSA established the California School of the Arts Foundation, which opened CSArts-SGV on August 14, 2017.

Awards and Accomplishments

CSArts-SGV has been recognized nationally and locally for exemplifying excellence in arts and academic education. Awards and accomplishments include:

#2 Best Charter High School in California (Niche, 2025)
Recognized ASCA Model Program (American School Counselor Association, 2025-2030)
Accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC, 2023-2029)
Voted “Best Charter School” in the San Gabriel Valley (Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and Whittier Daily News, 2024)
Model Charter Award Finalist (Building Hope, 2023)
Best High Schools in America (U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2023)
Exceptional Charter School in Special Education (NASET, 2020-2023)
AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award (College Board, 2020-2022)
California Exemplary Arts Education Award (California Department of Education, 2021)

Admissions Overview

After becoming familiar with the various conservatories and the skills characteristic of those conservatories at one of CSArts-SGV’s Preview Days, prospective students are invited to fill out an application and participate in the Conservatory Placement Activity to help them decide which conservatory is the best fit for them. Applicants will then select their desired conservatory for enrollment. Should the number of applicants exceed space available, a lottery is conducted, by conservatory, to determine which students are admitted. CSArts-SGV admits all applicants on a space-available basis.

Learn more about the Admissions Process

Unparalleled Value

CSArts-SGV offers an unparalleled value to its bright and talented students through the school’s rigorous academic program, combined with the 10+ hours of weekly intensive arts instruction.

CSArts-SGV is a donation-dependent school, provided through a unique public-private partnership. As a public charter school, CSArts-SGV receives funding from the State of California based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) to fund the school’s college preparatory academic program.

Private funds must be raised for CSArts-SGV's comprehensive arts instruction. While no student is admitted or denied based on family financial capacity, parents are encouraged to participate in the annual Parent Giving Program, which involves a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to the school. Funds raised through the Parent Giving Program are used to cover all costs related to the arts instructional program, and every dollar donated goes directly toward students' arts conservatory education.

Families are encouraged to actively participate in their child’s education, through financial and volunteer-based commitments. Together, these attributes contribute to the dynamic school culture at CSArts-SGV, which promotes a cohesive educational community for parents, students, and staff.

Board of Trustees

Francisco Figueroa (Secretary)
Appointed by DUSD
Genevieve Spinella (President)
Appointed by DUSD
Daniel Volonte
Appointed by CSarts-SGV

Marcy Ulrich (Treasurer)
Appointed by CSArts-SGV
Carol Green
Appointed by CSArts-SGV

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING SCHEDULE AND MINUTES

Click the button below to see the schedule and available meeting minutes.

Schedule & Minutes

Administrative Team

Nicole Read

Principal

nicole.read@sgv.csarts.net

Nicole Read has been an integral part of the California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley administration team since the school's founding in 2017, where she served as Assistant Principal before becoming the Principal. She is passionate about working with students and teachers to create environments that are equitable, engaging, and innovative.

Ms. Read joined Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) in 2007 as an AP United States History (APUSH) teacher and continued to teach APUSH for the next eight years at OCSA, participating in the College Board’s annual AP exam reading as well. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University, and her administrative services credential from the School Leadership Program at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Alison Hennessey

Assistant Principal of Arts

alison.hennessey@sgv.csarts.net

Alison Hennessey has been a part of the CSArts-SGV family since its inception in 2017, where she has served in key artistic and leadership roles, including Chair of Dance and Creative Director. In addition to her work in the School of Dance, Ms. Hennessey has been supporting the schoolwide arts programs and initiatives in an administrative capacity, contributing to the continued growth and development of the school’s robust conservatory model.

Her work in arts education extends beyond the classroom, with a focus on strategic planning, program development, and fostering collaborative, forward-thinking arts programs.

She holds a master’s degree in Dance Education with a concentration in ABT® Ballet Pedagogy from New York University and is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and CSArts-SGV’s sister school, Orange County School of the Arts. Ms. Hennessey is an ABT® Certified Teacher, having completed the full National Training Curriculum through Partnering, and is also Acrobatic Arts Certified through Level 6. Her professional performance career includes international and regional credits across concert dance, musical theatre, television, and touring productions. Ms. Hennessey has received numerous accolades, including a John Raitt Award for her choreography on Newsies the Musical. Her students have gone on to study at top collegiate programs such as USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, PACE University, Chapman University, and The Ailey School/Fordham University, in addition to performing professionally with renowned artists and companies including Beyoncé, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Dana Foglia Dance.

Sean Kerr

Assistant Principal of Student & Special Services

sean.kerr@sgv.csarts.net

Sean Kerr holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Whittier College and has earned his Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential and Master’s of Education from Claremont Graduate University. Mr. Kerr believes in providing equitable and creative learning opportunities to help all students make strides to reach their own goals. He has been working in education for over a decade and has had numerous experiences in supporting students with learning disabilities in inclusion programs. Mr. Kerr’s passion for education pushes him to want to continue to learn more about the craft with each passing year and is excited to be at CSArts-SGV.

Leon Metoyer

Assistant Principal of Facilities & Supervision

leon.metoyer@sgv.csarts.net

As a proud native of the City of Angels and second-generation teacher, Mr. Leon Metoyer has spent the last 16 years in education after a distinguished career in the hospitality industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s degree in education from Concordia University.

Mr. Metoyer has a passion for underserved and under-supported students. Mr. Metoyer began his teaching career at Olive Crest Academy in Santa Ana, California where he worked with students who required intensive academic, social, and/or behavioral interventions and co-wrote the school’s adult transition program that is still used today. He previously served as the Admissions Coordinator and Transition Specialist for Ocean Grove, South Sutter, and Sky Mountain Charter Schools, where he had the opportunity to create and facilitate a transition education program for students with IEPs throughout the state of California.

Mr. Metoyer comes to CSArts-SGV as the former Assistant Principal of Special Services at OCSA. During his tenure at OCSA, he shepherded unprecedented growth and led the increase in direct services that included co-teaching, mental health, and wellness and support for students with disabilities. Through Mr. Metoyer's leadership, OCSA has been recognized as a school of excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers for the past two years. Mr. Metoyer also served as a founding member of OCSA’s Coalition for Antiracism & Inclusion, while advising the school’s Black Student Union.

Mr. Metoyer is married with six children and enjoys all things Dodgers, Lakers, ‘90s hip-hop, and musical theatre. If you visit his office, you will see playbills for more than 30 shows.

Ann Kang

Learning Specialist

ann.kang@sgv.csarts.net

Ms. Ann Kang holds both a teaching credential and a master’s degree in elementary and secondary education from University of California, Irvine. She has been with CSArts-SGV since its inaugural year and previously served as a middle school teacher at Community Roots Academy. There she piloted the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, which she eventually helped implement at CSArts-SGV. Additionally, she spearheaded the adoption of standards-aligned instruction and assessments that provided differentiated instruction for all students.

At CSArts-SGV, she has served as Department Lead and Leadership Adviser. She has also worked as an educational consultant for the Orange County Department of Education and a curriculum writer for Bridges to Readiness, an organization that partners with “caregivers, schools, and advocates to ensure all students, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, have the resources and guidance they need to realize their aspirations.” She is ardent about serving local communities by building relationships with and educating the youth. Ms. Kang is keen on starting her new role as Learning Specialist so she can continue to serve the students.

Executive Management Team

Steve Wagner

Founder & Strategic Consultant

Steve Wagner is the Founder & Strategic Consultant for a network of schools that includes the California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley. Having more than 20 years of experience in education, Mr. Wagner is responsible for the management and supervision of the academic and arts instructional programs of both campuses. Additionally, he oversees non-instructional support services including facility, food, technology, finance, and budget.

Mr. Wagner has been awarded the prestigious Non-Profit CFO of the Year award by the Orange County Business Journal for his work in support of arts education. In 2018, he was recognized for his leadership by the Arts Schools Network and received the Superintendent Award. He has also served as a teacher and administrator for schools throughout Orange County. Prior to joining Orange County School of the Arts in 2001, Mr. Wagner served as principal at Serrano Intermediate School in Saddleback Unified School District.

Mr. Wagner’s experience with Orange County School of the Arts began more than 20 years ago when he taught at Los Alamitos High School from 1987 to 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, Fullerton.

FAQs

What is the admissions process?

Please visit the Admissions Overview page to learn more about our admissions process.

Do we have to live in the Duarte area?

No, residency in the city of Duarte is not a requirement of attendance or enrollment. CSArts-SGV is a regional campus that currently serves students from more than 80 cities throughout California. Bus, train, and carpool transportation options are available to assist with your commute. Visit the Transporation Overview page for more information.

May I attend part-time/after-school only?

CSArts-SGV is a full-time school offering dual arts and academic programs. Students must participate in both programs. Students in grades nine through 12 attend all classes on the CSArts-SGV campus. Seventh and eighth grade students attend academic classes on Duarte USD K-8 campuses and are bussed to CSArts-SGV in the afternoon to attend their arts conservatory classes.

Are you a year-round school? What about school holidays?

CSArts-SGV follows a traditional two-semester school year, which takes place August through December, and January through June. The school also honors traditional school holidays, including a one-week break for Thanksgiving, two weeks for Winter, and one week for Spring. View our Calendars page for specific dates.

What are the school's hours?

The school’s hours vary based on day and grade level. View the Bell Schedule page for more information.

Are there any tuition requirements?

CSArts-SGV is a donation-dependent public charter school, but no student is offered or denied admission based upon financial capacity. While the academic program at CSArts-SGV is funded publicly by the State of California, the arts program is funded entirely by donations. Each school year, CSArts-SGV must privately raise approximately $2.8 million to fund the arts conservatory programs, and the school relies heavily on its families and the community-at-large to reach this goal. Families are asked to make an annual tax-deductible donation ($3,500 for middle school families and $4,500 for high school families) to directly support their child’s conservatory budget, including salaries for the conservatory director and teachers, facilities, equipment and supplies, performance opportunities, guest artist master teachers, and field trips.

Is on/off campus housing available?

CSArts-SGV does not offer campus housing at this time.

My children are homeschooled. May they attend your school?

Yes. Homeschooled students follow the same application procedures as any other student.

My child needs to "make up" a class; do you offer a traditional "Summer School" as do most public schools?

No, CSArts-SGV does not offer summer school; however, to make up a class, students may attend summer school at any accredited high school or community college and have those credits apply towards CSArts-SGV graduation requirements.