| School Name | Address | Phone | Grades | County | Type | District Name |
| School of the Arts | 45 Prince St
Rochester, NY 14607 | (585) 242-7682 | 7-12 | Monroe | public | Rochester City School District |
| Ethnic Background | Percent | Year |
| White, non-Hispanic | 29.1194 | 2009 |
| Black, non-Hispanic | 51.6129 | 2009 |
| Hispanic | 16.4778 | 2009 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.44115 | 2009 |
| Native American or Native Alaskan | 0.348736 | 2009 |
| Email | Year |
| brenda.pachecorivera@rcsdk12.org | 2012 |
| Students Getting Free Lunch | Year |
| 57% | 2008 |
| Date | Who | Comments |
| 2/1/2011 | other | I am a 7th grader and i have had the most amazing time that i ever had at any other school, this is the school that i always dreamed of going to and i got in i am a band major and it is really amazing, you might think that our school has a lot of gay people because o how we act but only a few people in this school are gay, you also might think that we are a very mean school but we really are not i hope that some people can see how amazing our school is and u may think of joining our family! |
| 10/5/2009 | parent | This is a fantastic city school devoted to academic breadth and accuity through a focus on the arts. |
| 5/29/2009 | student | I am a 7th grader at this school and in my oppinion, i love it here and would never want to go any where else. This is the school i'v always dreamed of going too. We need more schools that take part in out performing arts programs, we need more people in this city with talents where they succeed and make a living with. piano, voice, theater tech, drama, creative writing, dance, visual arts, and instrumental. I am a vocal major and I am determined to make it big on braodway with the help i'm getting from School of The Arts. =] |
| 12/10/2008 | student | I actually feel lke going to school in the morning- it's not a hastle. Its more exciting than anything. SOTA is truely one big family and the opportunities are endless. Teachers and students get along flawlessly...it's like leaving your true family to go to school and find yourdelf included in a bigger and better family. I love it. |
| 11/24/2008 | parent | My daughter transferred from a private school and she LOVES SOTA!!! The opportunities are far greater here, the teachers are supportive, the building is incredible and the student body is kind and accepting! I only wish we would have started sooner! |
| 11/19/2008 | student | I'm currently a Senior of School of the Arts, I've benn attending this school since 9th grade. I love Sota, beacuse its a unique school, I've been with the same students since 9th grade year. Me and my class groiwn together, and that what i like. There was not a bunch of new students every year, just the same people you bunded with in middle school. Sota is an very independent study school. In class you recieve a lot of indepent project, especially in your major. I'm a visual Arts major and we recieve up to 2 projects in one marking period. |
| 9/26/2008 | student | I'm currently a sophmore at SOTA, and have very few bad things to say about the place, if any. Since coming here in the 7th grade, I have been greeted warmly by the teachers and staff. I've found that the student body is much much more open to different people, and accepting people from different cliques than most other schools. They have a great balance of regular acedemics and the actual 'arts' aspect of your career here. Go SOTA! |
| 8/27/2008 | student | I went to school of the arts since 7th garde but when i moved i had to transfer i cried because at school of the arts you make so many friends and soon you bond with the teachersa i would hae been a junior there this year but parents need to enroll there kids at sota my mom doesnt regret it and neither will you I love you SOTA and I will never forget the years I spent there |
| 1/19/2008 | student | SOTA is the best city school in Rochester. The people are nice and the teachers really care. There are so many activities and it's a great school if you want to explore your major. |
| 12/16/2007 | other | I went to SOTA for grades 9-12. It was an amazing experience that I will always carry with me. I had amazing teachers who took time to know me and great friends that I can still count on.. |
| 11/15/2007 | student | Sota is amazing. The students the atmosphere and the teachers ability to come to work everday happy> we have very smart and creative unique kids at this school . Very diverse! |
| 11/2/2007 | student | So I am a Junior at Sota. It is true-it is an amazing school. The teachers are amazing and love to work with students for individual success. However unless you are completely devoted to your art this is not the school for you. You take a total of 6 art classes at least through your duration of high school. I have already taken 8 classes and i am no where near down yet. SOTA is amazing but not for everyone |
| 8/27/2007 | student | School Of The Arts better known as SOTA is a great school for everybody. You learn so much, and the academics are excellent.I love this school |
| 4/27/2007 | former student | I went to SOTA for grades 9-12. I loved it! I thought the teachers were nice, and I had the chance to double and triple up in majors (Dance, Instrumental Music, and Vocal). If you're child loves the arts send them to SOTA!! There are plenty of opportunities to participate in plays, dance concerts, vocal concerts, even going out in the community to perform! I think parents are very actively involved; whenever there's a show parents are always behind stage assisting with costume changes, makeup, and just being supportive. I'd send my children there!! Our sports teams have drastically improved, and support academics as well. Study halls are provided after school before games/plays/and practices to assure your child is getting their work done, and not coming home to not do it. This school teaches your child time management early! |
| 2/23/2007 | student | I am a student at SOTA and I've been going there since 7th grade and I love it.Im a freshman now and the school year has gotten tough. Being that I am a singing major I have to take many vocal classes plus piano. If parents out there want their kids to go to SOTA then get them working hard and let them make the choice on if they really think they can make it. |
| 9/19/2006 | parent | I wish more parents would attend the PTA meetings, but I understand that its not always easy. The teachers are excellent. Communication could improve. |
| 9/19/2006 | student | I have been attending SOTA since I was in 6th grade.(mines was the second to last class) I have enjoyed it very much. As a middle schooler I was allowed to try many differnt activities.I chosew to stick with the major I came in with. The people are really nice and ive made lots of friends. The classes are large but that gives us a college like feel. I, however am upset about the closed lunch policy. Not a big deal but to the students it is. I just want to let you know that it a wonderful enviroment to grow as a person and stufent. |
| 8/25/2006 | student | I have been going to SOTA since the 6th Grade (mine was the last 6th Grade class), and I have been very satisfied with my experience so far. Parental involvement seems to be about the same as with other City Schools. The 7th and 8th graders don't get to participate in as much as the High Schoolers do, however. It's been difficult for the kids in my class who were there for 6th Grade, since they seem to be changing everything so that we're at a disadvantage. I also find the Common Assessments that most schools in New York are being forced to take tedious, but that's not the schools fault. Pretty much you can do whatever activities you choose to at SOTA, and the academics are fairly good, though obviously it depends on the teacher, as well as the students in the class. |
| 1/4/2006 | student | The academic programs are good, though they could be improved with student input (okay, i actually go there, i'm not a parent, but it's true!) The availibility is high, but there aren't really that many options for classes, for instance there are really only two available languages (spanish and latin) The parental involvement is okay, but only by certain parents. Some of the parents only go to meanings for there own students, but others actually go to find out what's going on at school. There are common assesments for 7th and 8th graders, which are extremely unfair, particularlry to honors students, (they're probably at most NY schools by now, or will be soon) but overall, i think that if your child has an interest in the arts, they will be satisfied. |
| 11/2/2005 | parent | The easiest way for parents to get involved at the School of the Arts is to sign up for the online news thread. It keeps you up to date with planned activities, concerns, and developments. |
| 8/25/2005 | teacher | The quality of academic programs varies depending on the class. Most rate average to high. The availability of arts activities is very high especially when within the major. Parent involvement is medium to low depending on the parents. |
| 3/3/2005 | parent | I have been very pleased with the school. My middle school aged daughter can be in plays, play her flute, sing in the chorus and learn about all of the arts and when she starts High School, she will pick her major based on all she has been exposed to. She can't wait to go to school every day and loves the new friends she has made. |
| 9/2/2004 | parent | The school is a beautiful school and has much to offer the students on their talents. The administrators are strict and keep order. Communication between parents and staff is very good. The staff are pleasant and professional. |
| 8/10/2004 | student | This school is the best school I ever went to. You get to do things you never did before. You experience real life things. You get to travel. See good plays for free. You could become a real singer, actor, dancer, pianist, and more. The principals welcome you to the school. They make sure your safe and have fun. You work hard and have fun at the same time. So if you are interested you should try it's great. |
| 7/17/2004 | parent | School of the Arts is a middle and high school that combines a solid academic program with the arts. Students have the option of majoring in Drama, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Dance, Visual Arts or Theatre Tech. As a city school, it serves a diverse student body and does so successfully. At least 95% of its students graduate and a majority continue on to higher education. Students in the various arts disciplines regularly participate in productions and exhibits, both at the school and in the community. I currently have two children at School of the Arts - one in 7th grade and one in 11th. Both of my children have been well-supported and nurtured by the tremendous staff at this school. This is a wonderful school that I would recommend highly to any parent of a child who has an interest in the arts. |
| 5/16/2004 | parent | My son attended Jr. & Sr. years. I only wish he had started at 6th grade instead of our wasting money at a private school. He was accepted immediately by everyone, and the teachers and counselors went out of their way to get him into the college he wanted to attend. The only problem is that students don't have time to take other arts other than the one they are majoring in. |
| 11/11/2003 | other | I attended SOTA for grades 6-12 and believe that it truly helped me become a better person, both academically and socially. I was able to create unique bonds with teachers that lasted all the way through my senior year. I always felt like I could be myself around everyone, never feeling pressured to be something I'm not. There was always plenty to of stuff to do: artistically, academically and even athletically. Although our sports teams never finished first in the state or anything, we always had fun and worked hard. I miss SOTA more than I could have ever imagined and definitely more than I ever said I would. This may sound like really cheesy but it is completely true! |
