About
In 1995, NSAA Founder Ron Caya had a vision: to open a high school that would give students an advantage in the arts with goals of its graduates entering the professional fields of art and education. NSAA graduates continue post secondary education at a variety of colleges and Universitys and become professionals in their fields. NSAA takes pride in our faculty as professional artists who are knowledgeable and highly-qualified teachers who inspire our students to excel. An enormous part of our successful community begins with the NSAA faculty and the staff’s commitment to student success. NSAA teachers are among the best in their field and continue to grow professionally.
After nine years of operating our high school, Founder Ron Caya opened a middle school in 2003 with a quality and comprehensive arts and academic curriculum to feed into the high school. Both schools serve families from over 20 zip codes around the valley. The NSAA organization holds two public charters: the high school and middle school.
Over 80% of our graduates attend post secondary educational institutions; Others enter professional careers. These are a few of the many institutions they have continued at:
University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, San Francisco Art Institute, Cornish College of the Arts, Art Institute of Chicago, Smith College, California College of Arts, California State Universities, SUNY, Mills College, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Fashion Institute of Technology, Berklee College of Music, Julliard and more…
The City of Tempe has been instrumental in contributing to our success since the high school’s relocation from Scottsdale to Tempe. Both schools have been awarded and supported by city and federal education grants, and are recoginzed by the Mayor of Tempe and the City Council. The Light Rail provides accessibility to families, and gives us greater access to museums and theaters valley wide. The City of Tempe has also used our facilities for city meetings, and for commuity classes ranging form guitar to dance. We also open our gallery and theater as a local venue for universities and other agencies. The school’s participation in valley activities such as Mill Avenue events and visual arts exhibits, raise money and acquire recognition for our talented artists.
NSAA’s teaching philosophy values active, experiential hands-on learning, and the integration of arts with academics. We are a public charter school, and as such NSAA is accountable for demonstrating progress from year to year in student achievement, measured in part through state required student assessments. NSAA meets graduation requirements for high school seniors, and complies with all legislation, both federal and state.
Our students will:
- Study a wide variety of arts with outstanding, professional instructors
- Prepare for college with our college-preparatory high school curriculum
- Meet or exceed the Arizona academic standards
- Grow as caring citizens who are aware, responsible and involved with our community
- Make positive decisions about their present & future
- Develop fulfilling relationships with teachers
- Share their talents as mentors for peers
- Explore and express a passion and enthusiasm for art in its many forms
On behalf of the NSAA Administration and School Boards, we welcome our students and families. We look forward to experiencing success for all of you as we grow and learn together.