Arizona School for the Arts

It was founded in 1995 by Mark S. Francis, with 155 students in grades 7-10. By 2002, it had grown to 280 students. In 2005, it was honored as a Blue Ribbon school.[2]

In 2008, it bought two buildings adjacent to its existing campus as demand for growth increased. This growth has allowed ASA to expand its enrollment by 80 high school students between 2007 and 2010.

In 2019, Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego proclaimed May 30th as Arizona School For The Arts Day.

School begins at 7:45 AM. Students in grades 7-12 attend five academic classes in the morning and arts courses in the afternoon. Middle school students in 5-6 have two academic classes in the morning, two arts classes, then three academics in the afternoon. All students take math, English, science, and social studies; high school students take French or Spanish; and middle school students take piano, a class called Life Skills, and choir. Middle school students are allowed to pick one art (band, orchestra, dance, theatre, or guitar) in addition to piano and choir. High school students are allowed to pick both of their art courses and can pay to take a third after official school hours end (9th period: 3:15-4:15). As students reach the end of their sophomore year they must choose an art major, once decided majors can not be changed. Starting sophomore year, high school students can be selected to take AP classes to earn college credits. The school shuts its doors at 4:30 PM every day unless specifically noted.

The school has one half-day a month on a Wednesday. Students are sent home early and teachers have meetings.

• All School Picnics: There are four all school picnics held throughout the year (one in each quarter). Students have a shortened schedule to allow for an hour long lunch period. The students can buy pizza (pre-purchased or not) and can participate in several different activities. These include cooking-decorating tables, face painting, buying school merchandise, life-sized Jenga, physical activities on the fields, and a dance party in the bandshell. These are the only times during the year that the whole school has lunch together.
• Spirit Weeks: There are two weeks where every day, students can dress up as a theme. One falls on the week of Halloween (making that day one of the themes), and another occurs the week before spring break. The themes are decided by StuGo, and they are announced through the school announcements and posters spread around the campus. The themes are often alliterations of the weekday (Workout Wednesday, Trendy Tuesday, Matching Monday, etc.)
• Diner Night: One of the two talent shows held throughout the year. It takes place in October and is performed in the school's bandshell. All of the acts are performed by students and can include any art. However, there is not actual prize or winner like other talent shows.
• Retreat Day: A half day in November where students skip classes and participate in games/activities around campus. They usually all relate to a theme which is decided by the senior class of that year. Themed videos are played throughout the school week before to explain the expository plot line. The mini games are all run by seniors and juniors serve as tour guides throughout the day.
• Movie Days: These are two days throughout the year where students skip classes and go to Harkins Movie Theatre in Christown. One of the days is the last day of the first semester (December 22), and the other is the last day of school (June 2). The event starts at 8:00 AM and usually ends around 11:30 AM. Students buy tickets ahead of time on the school website.
• Disneyland Turn-Around Trip: On the weekend of MLK Day, students can pay the school to be taken to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Students bring their bags to school that Friday, board the buses at 4:30, and leave at 5:30. When they arrive in California, they sleep overnight at a hotel near Disneyland. At 9:00 AM they drive to the park and spend the whole Saturday there. Students, however, are not allowed to take the monorail to Downtown Disney or California Adventure. The students leave the park at 10:00 PM that night and sleep on the way back to Arizona. They arrive at 6:00 AM and are taken home by parents. The trip usually costs $250-$300 (not including food or merchandise purchased at the park). Students sign up for the trip in November and have to submit their forms by the end of that month. In the hotel, students are roomed with 3-4 other students from different grades. They have the choice of picking someone to room with, but they can also choose not to.
• Valentine's Day Grams: On the week leading up to Valentine's Day, students can send grams (notes in the shape of hearts with candy attached) to other students. They cost a dollar to send and they can be bought before school and at lunch.
• Cafe Night: A similar performance to Diner Night, only it takes place during April instead of October

• Matt Dallas - Actor, ABC Family TV show Kyle XY
• David Hallberg – Ballet dancer
• Alexandra Shipp – Actress
• Kacy Hill - Singer/Songwriter
• Taylor Upsahl - Singer/Songwriter