An Introduction to CSA
New York City Charter School of the Arts (CSA) is the only NY public charter middle school (grades 6-8) dedicated to the synergy of artistic, academic, and social/emotional learning as a model for whole child education. All students receive training in piano and music theory, visual arts and performance, and social activism as an integral part of their middle school experience. This focus on multiple perspectives gives students a rich experience and prepares them for a wide range of high school opportunities.
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We are proud of our record of continuous growth as a school with high student achievement on standardized tests without sacrificing our progressive approach to learning. Student average scores exceed citywide averages by 12-15% in both Math and ELA.
CSA is the only school in the SUNY portfolio that posted higher state exam results in 2022 than in 2019 - a testament to the impressive work of our staff to keep students learning during the pandemic. All 8th grade students take Living Environment rather than 8th grade science and over 60% pass the Regents Exam. About 30% of CSA 8th graders also take Algebra I and pass the Algebra I Regents.
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Counseling and support for the high school admissions process ensure that nearly 80% of students are accepted to one of their top three high school choices. In 2022, over 90% of students who applied to arts-based high schools received at least one offer. But CSA students attend specialized and competitive public high schools, independent schools, and faith-based programs as well.
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Even our beginner piano students perform at recitals and succeed in competitions such as NYSMA. Our visual artists take part in juried shows. And the biggest events of our school year are the annual performance of a Shakespeare play in mid-winter and the spring musical. In 2019, the Disney production team contacted CSA to pilot its first student performance of Moana based on our production of Lion King. And our partnerships include Black Gotham Experience, Theater for a New Audience, and NY Youth Orchestra.
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Students at CSA come from all five boroughs and over 25 community school districts
The school community welcomes all including a significant number of trans and gender fluid students. Students at CSA come from all five boroughs and over 25 community school districts
The school community welcomes all including a significant number of trans and gender fluid students.
13% White
22% Black
28% have IEPs
35% Hispanic
45% are economically disadvantaged
9% Asian/Pacific Islander
Nearly 40% speak another language at home
9% Multiracial
Our Mission and Vision, along with more details about our program can also be found in the proceeding links.
Nondiscrimination
CSA does not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs and activities, on the basis of race, color or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); on the basis of sex, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; on the basis of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); or on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1974 (ADEA). In addition, no person shall be discriminated against in admission to CSA on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, or prior academic achievement. No person shall be discriminated against in obtaining the advantages, privileges or access to the courses of study offered by CSA on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. Finally, pregnant students are allowed to remain in regular education classes and participate in extracurricular activities with non-pregnant students throughout their pregnancy, and after giving birth are permitted to return to the same academic and extracurricular program as before the leave (Title IX). The School’s Title IX Coordinator is Desiree Jones, to whom all relevant complaints should be directed.