Introduction
The Academy of Arts and Sciences at SOTA is a 340 student four-year high school with an arts-based, multidisciplinary curriculum which prides itself on serving the needs of all students and fostering a place where all students are accepted and nurtured to be who they are. Students at the Academy take arts electives their first two years of school, and then may choose other pathways for their education in their Junior and Senior years. With SFUSD adopting the A – G curriculum as a graduation requirement all students will take the necessary classes to be admitted to a four-year school. In addition, we currently offer four AP classes, which is excellent for a school of our size. Enrollment in the Academy is based on the regular SFUSD assignment system.
The Academy shares a campus with School of the Arts, as well as an Administration. Carmelo Sgarlato serves as Principal for both schools, while Greg Markwith and Gary Pacini serves both schools as Assistant Principals. However, Greg Markwith oversees much of the day-to-day operations of the Academy, as well working with the staff to undertake initiatives to move the school forward.
Small School by Design
In 2009, The Academy was selected by the district to be designated a Small School by Design (SSD). As a SSD, The Academy joins a network of five small schools that believe in the idea that smaller schools are able to serve the unique needs of all their students, while still offering college preparatory classes. As an SSD, the Academy is committed to offering a unique learning experience, where students feel “known” on campus. There is an “open door” policy used by teachers, administrators and staff which allows stakeholders to feel welcome; whether they have an appointment or not someone at the Academy will help you. Also, as teachers at an SSD, our staff has access to professional development and other resources that will allow us to best serve students.
Academy Teachers and Administrators
The Academy’s small school setting allows our teachers to create an effective learning environment by working closely with students and their families in building a strong community. Within this community, teachers are able to give more individual attention to students and communicate regularly with parents.
Our administrators, like our teachers, work to individualize experiences for stakeholders by welcoming parents to drop in to school whenever they like discuss the best way to serve families. As a small school, between our three administrators we know every student on campus and are very hands on with all student support issues that arise.
