San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts

The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA) is a San Diego Unified School District college-preparatory, arts-focused public magnet school for students in grades 6 through 12 who have a strong interest, passion and talent in the arts. Successful SDSCPA students have the determination and commitment to make the most of the school's unique sequential arts training while balancing the demands of a university preparatory academic program in an 4x4 block schedule.

SDSCPA students audition into one of six Pre-Conservatory Majors- Creative Writing, Music, Visual Art, Dance, Theatre or Production and Design. SDSCPA resides in Southeast San Diego (Paradise Hills) with a fully equipped 450 seat theatre, a 100 seat black box theatre, 6 dance studios, TV studio/video recording booth, art and music rooms, STEAM lab as well as traditional academic classrooms and science labs. The school now boasts 1350 students, an administrative team of 2 Associate Principals, Instructional Coordinator for the Arts, Production Manager, Lighting and Sound Designer, 46 teachers, 4 counselors, and a support staff of 50.

Each year, SDSCPA presents a dynamic artistic season featuring a diverse array of performances and exhibitions. This includes dance concerts, choral and instrumental performances, visual art exhibitions, and both musical theatre and dramatic productions. These events are showcased in the school’s premier venues, the Florence Johnson Grand Theatre and the Ole Kittleson Theatre, offering students the opportunity to perform and display their work in professional-quality settings.

The faculty at SDSCPA includes GATE-certified teachers and AVID-trained instructors.  Many faculty are industry professionals with real-world experience that enriches their teaching and prepares students for careers in the arts and beyond. Many faculty members hold multiple credentials, enabling them to provide unique interdisciplinary instruction within their content areas. Additionally, SDSCPA offers over 33 college-level courses taught by professors from San Diego City College, allowing students to earn college credits for free while still in high school.

All prospective SCPA students must submit an School Choice Application available online at https://www.sandiegounified.org/school-choice-application.

All prospective students are required to audition. Please note, the audition process is designed to set the tone for an art education and career. Audition information is available here.

Distinguished Alumni

As a college-preparatory arts magnet public school, SDSCPA not only nurtures students' artistic talents but also equips them with the academic rigor to pursue diverse career paths. While many of our graduates continue their studies at prestigious institutions such as Carnegie Mellon, the New England Conservatory, UCLA, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Boston University, UCSD, and Juilliard, others have achieved success in a variety of fields beyond the arts. SDSCPA alumni have pursued careers in science, medicine, law, business, and more, demonstrating that the critical thinking, creativity, and discipline honed at SDSCPA are invaluable across multiple professions. With Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winners among our alumni and countless graduates thriving in arts, sciences, and other fields, SDSCPA students are well-prepared to excel in whatever path they choose.

We invite you to scroll through the list on the right to see what previous and recent graduates have accomplished.  

Check out our notable graduates HERE.