Let’s be honest: walking into a new school for the first time is nerve-wracking, no matter how confident you are. New hallways. New faces. The age-old mystery of where to sit at lunch. But here’s something that might take the edge off: at The School of Arts and Enterprise, “fitting in” was never really the assignment. So if you’re a little different, a little extra, a little not-like-everybody-else;  good news. At The School of Arts and Enterprise (The SAE), you’re going to feel right at home.

You Won’t Be the Only New Face

Here’s a fact that tends to surprise prospective families: a huge number of SAE students didn’t grow up around the corner. With 40% of our students commuting in from more than 35 different cities, plenty of the kids in your classes will be figuring out a new commute, a new campus, and a new crowd right alongside you. “New” isn’t the exception at The SAE – it’s practically a rite of passage.

“Weird” Is Kind of Our Love Language

Maybe you’ve bounced between schools or friend groups before and never quite found your people. Maybe your style, your art, or the way your brain works has made you feel like the odd one out. At The SAE, that’s exactly the energy we’re looking for. Our campus is full of students who paint, dance, write, or play music because it’s who they are – not because it’s cool. Teachers here are genuinely curious about what makes you, you, and they’ll ask you about it in class. Plenty of our students tell us this is the first place that ever felt like theirs.

Art Nerds Unite 

The fastest way to feel at home anywhere is to find people who get you, and at The SAE, art is the shortcut. Every student picks a path through one of our 7 majors and 5 dual majors – from dance and theatre to music, visual art, and more – so you’re learning alongside classmates who already share your obsession. It’s a built-in way to meet people without ever having to make small talk about the weather.

Give It a Minute – You Don’t Have to Have It Figured Out by Day One

Feeling settled somewhere new doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s completely normal. It might take a few weeks to learn the best hallway shortcuts, find your favorite spot to eat lunch, or figure out which teacher has the same sense of humor as you. Be patient with yourself. Whatever makes you unique – your background, your art, your perspective – is exactly what this community is looking for, and it’s worth giving it the time to show.

Considering The SAE for the 2026–27 school year? Spots are still open, but our admissions window won’t stay that way for long. Visit our website to start your application and we’ll be in touch to set up a tour. We can’t wait to meet you – weird, wonderful, and all.

About The SAE

The School of Arts and Enterprise (The SAE) is an audition-free and tuition-free arts charter school serving grades 6-12. Our campuses are located in the Pomona, CA Arts Colony, surrounded by a thriving professional arts community. We offer nationally-recognized, award-winning arts education and creative entrepreneurship for young artists through project-based learning and flexible block scheduling. Students are supported by a close-knit community that values creative expression and celebrates differences. Join The SAE today! Enrolling now.

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