By now, we hope you have learned about the rigorous academic program, pre-professional arts conservatories, and unique school culture found only at California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV). You are ready to apply!

After becoming familiar with the school’s various conservatories through a CSArts-SGV Preview Day, prospective students are invited to fill out an application and participate in a Placement Activity to help them decide which conservatory is the best fit for them. CSArts-SGV admits all applicants on a space-available basis, except in the areas of dance and music. Should the number of applicants exceed the space available, a public, random drawing (“lottery”) will be conducted by conservatory, grade level, and when applicable, concentration, to determine which students are offered admission.

Before getting started, please make sure that you thoroughly understand the Admissions Guidelines and have gathered all of the necessary materials. You will complete your application online and should be prepared to upload all requested materials along with your application. 

Additional support is available for students, parents, or guardians who require translation in order to best understand our admissions processes, as well as for those who need technology assistance. Applicants who have received or are currently receiving special services are encouraged to request any necessary accommodations to support them during the admissions process. 

If you have questions, please read our Admissions FAQ. You may also contact our Admissions Office at admissions@sgv.csarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 5510.

Click here to read more about charter school admission rights. Click here to access the Charter School Complaint Notice and Form.

CSArts-SGV is proud to partner with Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) in offering an innovative middle school program to students in grades 6-8. Middle school students attend academic classes through one of two DUSD K-8 academies, Maxwell Academy – An International Baccalaureate World School or Royal Oaks STEAM Academy. Once the academic day has concluded, middle school students are able to receive exemplary arts instruction provided by CSArts-SGV faculty in a variety of art forms.

The middle school program allows students to begin their arts trajectory early and get acclimated to the unique culture and expectations of CSArts-SGV. Once students reach grade 9, they can seamlessly transition to receiving full-day academic and arts instruction on the CSArts-SGV campus for their high school careers.

When applying, prospective middle school students may choose from the following list of conservatories and programs. Please note that middle school students will be assigned to either Maxwell Academy – An International Baccalaureate World School or Royal Oaks STEAM Academy based on the CSArts-SGV arts conservatory or program they are admitted into.

In grades 9-12, students receive their academic and arts instruction full-time on the CSArts-SGV campus.

When applying, prospective high school students may choose from the following list of conservatories and programs.

Conservatory Placement Activities provide applicants with an opportunity to demonstrate their art form proficiency. All CSArts-SGV conservatories require participation in a Placement Activity to be considered for admission. Upon completion of the Conservatory Placement Activity, applicants will receive a scored rubric with helpful feedback and a proficiency level from our conservatory staff. 

CSArts-SGV admits all applicants on a space-available basis, except in the areas of dance and music. Conservatories in the School of Dance and School of Music do not have an entry level of instruction, thus applicants must meet a minimum proficiency level on their scored rubric in order to select the Ballet & Contemporary Dance Conservatory, Commercial Dance Conservatory, Instrumental Music Conservatory, Popular Music Conservatory (grades 9-12 only), or Vocal Arts Conservatory for admission.

Upon completion of the Conservatory Placement Activity, applicants will receive a scored rubric with helpful feedback and a proficiency level from our conservatory staff. Applicants will only be able to select a conservatory for admission for which they have completed a Placement Activity. If an applicant does not meet the minimum proficiency in their Placement Activity for the Ballet & Contemporary Dance Conservatory, Commercial Dance Conservatory, Instrumental Music Conservatory, Popular Music Conservatory (grades 9-12 only), or Vocal Arts Conservatory, they will need to select their alternate conservatory choice for admission. Applicants will not be able to change their conservatory selection after submission.

Should the number of applicants exceed the space available, a public, random drawing (“lottery”) will be conducted by conservatory, grade level, and when applicable, concentration, to determine which students are offered admission. Each applicant will be given one (1) entry for the admission lottery. Applicants may place their lottery entry into their desired conservatory's lottery pool for admission.

All applicants who participate in a Placement Activity will be notified of the results of the admission lottery via email by mid-March 2024.

*Applicants who miss this deadline will not be guaranteed inclusion in the admission lottery.