The School of Arts and Enterprise (The SAE) is a tuition-free, audition-free public charter school – and we know those words can spark a lot of questions. What is a charter school, exactly? Is it private? Does it cost money? Do you have to audition to get in? Let’s clear all of that up, because the answers are better than you might expect.
We’re A Public School. Really.
Charter schools are publicly funded and tuition-free, just like traditional public schools. What makes them different is the freedom to do things differently – to build a school around a specific mission, philosophy, or focus rather than following a one-size-fits-all district model. In California, charter schools are open to all students and held to the same state academic standards. You can enroll regardless of what city or district you live in.
At The School of Arts and Enterprise (The SAE), that mission is arts education woven into everything – not as a nice add-on, but as the foundation of how our students learn, grow, and connect. We’re tuition-free and audition-free, which means you absolutely do not need an audition tape or a polished portfolio. All you need is an interest in the arts and a willingness to explore. 40% of our students commute from over 35 different cities to be here, and we think that says a lot.
What Makes The SAE Different
At most schools, arts programs are the first thing cut when budgets get tight. Here, the arts are the reason we exist – and the lens through which students tackle academics, develop skills, and build real-world experience.
Our campuses sit in the heart of Pomona’s Arts Colony, surrounded by a thriving professional creative community. That’s not just a fun backdrop – it shapes the entire learning experience. Students have access to professional-level facilities: a recording studio, dance studios, a renowned theatre space, visual art galleries, graphic and photography labs, and a student-run creative agency called Studio 264. There’s also the Luci Berger Community Dance Center and SAE CREATE, a community arts center right in downtown Pomona.
High school student artists choose from 7 majors and 5 dual majors and build their four-year course of study around what genuinely lights them up – whether that’s dance, music, visual art, theatre, or creative arts. Wednesday Afternoon Arts opens the door to 15 different art forms so students can find their thing before they have to commit to it. Project-based learning and flexible block scheduling give everyone the time to actually go deep – not just get through the day.
And the teachers? They’re working professionals with industry connections, not just people who know about the arts. They’re people who live it.
A Community That Has Your Back
The SAE is a small school in the best possible way. Teachers know your name, your story, your goals. Students find friends who actually get them – classmates who stay up late perfecting a song, who fill sketchbooks in their spare time, who can’t wait to talk to you about their next project. Our alumni say it again and again: The SAE feels like family.
And when graduation day comes – which is, by the way, a standing-room-only event – our students leave ready. They head to top arts conservatory programs and universities, launch careers in creative fields, and walk out the door with professional portfolios and, often, college credits already in hand. Our network of mentors, industry partners, and alumni keeps growing, so the community you build here doesn’t end at graduation.
Whether you’re an artist who already knows exactly what they want to create, or you’re still figuring out who you are – at The SAE, your spotlight is waiting. Apply today and find out why families from across Southern California choose 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.
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