The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (“Arts High”) is a tuition-free public school of choice offering a rigorous college-preparatory academic curriculum and conservatory-style training in the visual and performing arts. Founded in 1985, the school is run by the Los Angeles County Office of Education in partnership with and on the campus of Cal State L.A.
Arts High
- Serves up to 600 culturally and socioeconomically diverse students from communities across the Los Angeles region.
- Selects students through a competitive process of juried auditions or portfolio reviews into one of four departments: Dance, Music (Instrumental or Vocal), Theatre and Visual Arts. (Additional coursework offered in Musical Theatre and Television/Film.)
- Draws its distinguished arts faculty from Los Angeles’ rich and thriving creative community — arts instructors are working professionals who provide high-quality training combined with real-world experience.
- Offers an academic program that is fully accredited and meets all high school graduation and university entrance requirements.
- Consistently exceeds academic performance targets set by the state of California.
- Is a model small learning community located on the campus of Cal State L.A. — offering students a direct connection to higher education.
- Sends more than 95 percent of graduates — significant numbers with university credit earned at Cal State L.A. — to four-year colleges and universities. Other students go directly to work in their chosen art field.
- Graduates receive more than $1 million in scholarships each year to pursue higher education.
- Graduates are recruited by and attend prestigious arts institutes and conservatories, such as: Art Center College of Design, Art Institute of Chicago, Berklee School of Music, California Institute of the Arts, Cooper Union; The Juilliard School, Tisch School of the Arts, and many others.
- California Distinguished School for Academic Excellence
- Golden Bell (for outstanding visual arts program)
- Bravo Award (Music Center of Los Angeles County)
- GRAMMY Signature School (music program)
Arts High Foundation
The nonprofit Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Foundation works to bridge the gap between available public funds and the actual costs of operating the high school’s award-winning arts training programs. This is achieved by cultivating and sustaining relationships with individuals (including alumni and parents), foundations and corporations within the Los Angeles community and beyond.
