School of the Arts (Rochester, New York)

Last updated

School of the Arts (SOTA)
School of the Arts sign Rochester NY 2024-04-08 10-35-31.jpg
Location
School of the Arts (Rochester, New York)
Coordinates 43°09′30″N77°35′26″W / 43.15843°N 77.590457°W / 43.15843; -77.590457
Information
Type Public,
MottoAcademic, Artistic, and Humanistic
School district Rochester City School District
PrincipalAlan Tirre [1]
Staff166
Grades 7-12
Number of students1,058 (2023-2024) [2]
Color(s)Black and Silver
AthleticsBasketball, Swimming, Soccer, Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Football, Cheerleading, Bowling, Track and Field, Cross Country, Volleyball, Lacrosse.
Athletics conferenceSection V City Catholic League
MascotSilver Hawk
Website www.sotarochester.org

School of the Arts (SOTA) is a progressive alternative public middle school and high school in Rochester, New York. Administered by the Rochester City School District, SOTA is located on the corner of Prince Street and University Avenue, within walking distance of the Memorial Art Gallery, Eastman Theatre, Writers & Books, Visual Studies Workshop, and other cultural organizations.

Contents

History

The School of the Arts was founded in 1980 as an experimental High School. In 1981, the school transferred to Monroe High School as was known as the School of the Arts at Monroe. Only grades 7-9 were represented that year. The school stayed at Monroe for many years, eventually becoming a full Jr-Sr. High School, while retaining the name "School of the Arts at Monroe." It eventually moved into its current space (the old Eastman School of Music dormitories at 45 Prince St.), when it became "The School of the Arts".

Academics

As in other schools, School Of The Arts has academic classes and arts classes. SOTA offers Honors and Advanced Placement(AP) classes, (Special) Education, Spanish 1,2,3 and 4-Honors. Students carry a full academic course load as well as a fine arts sequence. SOTA offers arts courses within several fine arts concentrations:

Film and television

Performances

SOTA puts on two musicals, two plays and a middle school play or musical each year, as well as an annual dance concert, music recitals, poetry readings/coffee houses, and other various art performances. The school has also begun celebrating Black History Month with a whole day full of performances dedicated to it.

Notable alumni

The school building SchoolOfTheArts.JPG
The school building

References

  1. "Administrators / Overview". www.rcsdk12.org. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  2. "School Of The Arts". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 11, 2025.