Get To Know The SAE: Matt Garcia-Ramirez
At The School of Arts and Enterprise, our tuition-free charter school is known for our warm and welcoming 6th-12th grade learning environment. We can go on and on about the many ways our school is special, but sometimes it’s best to just hear from our students directly! To get to know more about The SAE from a student perspective, we recently chatted with SAE alumnus Matt Garcia-Ramirez. Here’s what he had to say!
When did you attend The SAE and why did you decide to enroll at our school?
I started going to the SAE back when they used to host STEAM summer school. I knew I wanted to enroll in the school since then. I enrolled into The SAE my freshman year -- I was excited to expand my artistic abilities and be surrounded by fellow artists.
What advice would you give a student considering The SAE?
Follow your passion. If you know how to play guitar but have always wanted to dance or sing -- take a chance on yourself. Your passion will take you to places you've never imagined.
Do you have a favorite memory or story from your time at The SAE?
My favorite memory was hosting the Electric Literary Magazines release party. The Electric team worked so hard to create a body of work. Releasing work and performing in front of an audience is the culmination of long hours of practice, work, and skill. The arts have a natural way of creating community and that includes sharing the hard work but it also means celebrating and shining together.
What are you working on now?
I am enrolled at the University of California Irvine studying Social Policy and Public Service. Although I am not majoring in the arts, I have dedicated my field work and research to understanding the role of arts education in Latinx youth. I have also had the opportunity to self publish two poetry collections and have just displayed my artwork at a local gallery. The SAE taught me the importance of connecting with people, seizing opportunities, and understanding my worth as a scholarly artist.
Interested in checking out The SAE for yourself? We’re open for visits at any time throughout the year. Visit our website to fill out a brief enrollment inquiry form and we’ll contact you to set up a tour. We can’t wait to meet you at The SAE!
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.
