School of the ArtsCoronado School of the Arts Mission Statement
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is a public arts conservatory for students in grades 9-12 that embraces and encourages artistic creativity and academic excellence. This pre-professional arts program reaches out to talented students from all San Diego County, offering a nurturing environment focused on individual growth, opportunity, and diversity.
CoSA is the place for aspiring young artists to immerse themselves in an afternoon of arts classes in one of the six featured arts conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Media and Filmmaking, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre and Drama, Technical Theatre, and Visual Art.
School Design
CoSA is a conservatory for students in grades 9-12 living in San Diego County who are dedicated to dance, digital media, instrumental music, musical theater, technical theater, and visual art. The program includes:
- A core academic day with up to six periods in the morning and a three-period afternoon arts program ending at 4:30 p.m.
- The Southwestern College "College Bound" Program incorporated into the CoSA course sequences, giving students college credit
- Teachers for specialized classes who are professionals in their fields and who directly serve as counselors and mentors for each student
- An admissions process designed to select for a total commitment
- In-depth classes in each of the disciplines (for example, AP Music Theory; International Baccalaureate Music, Art, and Theatre; and 3-D Animation using Maya software)
- An individualized performance jury each semester by a panel of teachers and professionals
- Innovative seminars and speakers in career exploration and regular performances, and exhibits by all CoSA students
- Small classes with a teacher-student ratio of 20:1
- Internships in the arts for juniors and seniors through partnerships and affiliations with respected arts organizations, many of which are represented on CoSA’s Professional Advisory Council
In addition to their conservatory-style instruction, students participate in regular CoSA productions, concerts, and exhibitions; in smaller performing groups such as the acclaimed CoSA Repertory Company, which performs original works written and directed by CoSA students; small music ensembles such as classical, jazz, and folk groups; dance ensembles, such as the Coronado Dance Company; and in community arts festivals such as San Diego Trolley Dances, Coronado Art Walk, and Bravo!
Field trips to San Diego and Los Angeles performances and art museums are a part of the CoSA curriculum program. Speakers from arts colleges and conservatories, as well as professional guest artists, help CoSA students decide on their next steps.
Artwork by CoSA Alumna Stephanie Cummings |
