Dear CSArts-SGV Middle School Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV)! The CSArts-SGV team is eagerly looking forward to the start of conservatory classes on Wednesday, August 14. Please see below for some important back-to-school updates pertaining specifically to our middle school families.

By now, all students participating in the Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) and CSArts-SGV Joint 6th-8th Grade Program should have completed the AIR registration process for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The first day of instruction for DUSD academies is Wednesday, August 14. 

Please note, prior to your student being officially enrolled at their assigned DUSD academy, all required admissions procedures must be followed as described within the enrollment checklist that was provided along with the admissions notification from CSArts-SGV. Additionally, if you do not qualify under the Allen Bill (work in the city of Duarte a minimum of 10 hours during the workweek) or reside within the DUSD attendance area, please be reminded that placement at your academy is pending an approved interdistrict permit from your student’s district of residence. 

Please look for communications from your student’s assigned DUSD academy in late summer and keep up-to-date with all of the information and activities taking place within DUSD by downloading their free mobile app from the Apple and Google Play stores. You can also stay connected by following @DuarteUSD on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or by visiting the DUSD website at www.duarteusd.org. 

For questions related to enrollment and registration, please contact your designated DUSD academy after Monday, July 22. 

Registration for 6th-8th grade students will take place on Wednesday, August 7 at 1 p.m. on the CSArts-SGV campus. All middle school students and at least one of their parent(s)/guardian(s) should attend. During registration, middle school families will receive important information about the upcoming school year, students will take ID/CSArts-SGV yearbook pictures, and families will have a chance to sign up for and purchase a variety of school-related activities and items. We anticipate that registration will take about 30 minutes for our families to complete. 

Please keep in mind that this registration is specific to CSArts-SGV and does not replace any required registration activities communicated by your student’s assigned DUSD academy.

Also, on Wednesday, August 7 and following the registration event, we will hold a Middle School Family Welcome Reception and Orientation from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Duarte Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the CSArts-SGV campus. All middle school students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are invited to attend this CSArts-SGV-specific orientation. At this gathering, we will kick off the school year and introduce you to the culture and environment of CSArts-SGV. You will meet conservatory faculty members, as well as students from the Leadership class. Students will receive tours of the campus in a small-group setting and have the opportunity to connect with their classmates. Parents will receive important information and have a chance to socialize with other families.

We look forward to seeing you in August!

Please utilize the navigation headers on the website to access CSArts-SGV Calendars and Bell Schedules. Quick links are provided here:

• CSArts-SGV Middle School Bell Schedule
• CSArts-SGV School Calendar 
• CSArts-SGV List of Important Dates
• DUSD School Calendar

We are excited to continue our GoPass partnership with Metrolink this year and have TAP cards available for all of our brand-new middle and high school students. This card will allow students to travel on all public transit for an entire year, free of charge. TAP cards, along with loading information, will be distributed at On-Campus Registration. Returning students who already have TAP cards will be able to reuse them and reload their accounts for free for this next school year, utilizing a special code provided by CSArts-SGV, also at On-Campus Registration. For transportation information, please visit www.sgv.csarts.net/Transportation.

Parent Connect 
CSArts-SGV’s new Parent Connect application is a hit! With over 300 users and growing, Parent Connect allows parents to “find” one another for either social gatherings or carpooling opportunities. Interested parents/guardians can complete this Parent Connect Opt-In Form to be entered into the system and sent more information. We hope that Parent Connect will enhance your CSArts-SGV experience! 

Parent Facebook Group
Many CSArts-SGV parents have found value in joining this private online Parent Facebook Group, which is a great place to connect with other families. This online community also allows families to “find” each other and create carpools with other families in their area.

Get involved through the Family Action Network!  Similar to a parent-teacher association, the Family Action Network (FAN) provides an opportunity for parents to stay connected to what's happening at CSArts-SGV, while maximizing the school experience for all CSArts-SGV students. The mission of FAN is to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities; support the school in enhancing students' academic, artistic, physical, and emotional growth; and help CSArts-SGV parents and family members to stay involved through an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative parent community. Parent participation options include event volunteering, student mentorship, parent connection/education activities, and participating in school committees/focus groups to provide important input on various areas of operations.

Are you a Fan? Click here to get involved in the Family Action Network, including the opportunity to participate in our New Family Buddy Program, which pairs current families with incoming families prior to the start of the school year.

Should you have any questions at all prior to the start of the school year, we are on campus Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. You can also send an email at any time to the Student Services Team at student.services@sgv.csarts.net. 

On behalf of the entire CSArts-SGV family, we are excited to continue this journey with you. Enjoy the rest of your time off, and we will be in touch again soon!

Warmly,

The CSArts-SGV Administration Team