High Schools with strong Art Programs

We also have an artistic middle schooler. FWIW, when we asked about OSA for them, the high school counselor at their middle school felt like OSA is very competitive for non-Oakland residents, and the applicant would have to have a very strong portfolio showing artistic growth over the middle school years. ie., be a committed artist, probably in a specific discipline, not just generally creative and "artsy". So not a fit for our child who is not an Oakland resident.

I went to the end of the year student art show at Albany High in spring 2023 and was very impressed with the talent and range of media on display. You can look at AHS' course catalog online to see the class offerings; plus there's also student clubs. I don't mean to imply that it is the only high school with this strength, just that I saw it for myself at the show.

There is a fantastic art teacher at El Cerrito High School, Ms. Jun. Really fabulous, can't overpraise her.

Definitely OSA! My daughter graduated in visual arts last spring and now is at the number 1 art school in the world! UAL in London. She had a great experience. OSA is full of quirky kids and staff! Wonderful

Check out Berkeley High’s small learning community, AHA (arts and Humanities Academy). https://aha.berkeleyschools.net/

One of my former students is now at UCLA. Check with the school about how to join the small learning communities as this process has changed since my son was at Berkeley High. 

I think the earlier family that posted a comment about applying to OSA has outdated info and I hope they don't just take the middle school counselors comments as final.  The school used to have auditions (I disagree that a strong portfolio was mandatory) for students coming in at the start of the school experience (6th grade for middle or 9th for high school), and then if one "passed" the audition their name went into a lottery.  From my daughters experience the audition was showing up, coming prepared with what was asked, and in the accompanying interview telling the panel they wanted to attend.  

I knew talented Oakland kids who passed the interviews and did not get the lottery golden ticket, and I know a few very beginning students from other towns who did make it in.  Oakland Unified did away with the auditions (unfortunate in my and mind) and now it is a lottery.  If your child is interested in attending or transferring in- please go talk to the office, see if there are spots available and get a tour and meet with the administration.  

For the right kid it is an AMAZING school with an impressive alumni and many kids get into great colleges, get cool internships in the arts and are met at a level they need at the time.  Kids are supported, the atmosphere is accepting and the teachers care.  Yes, one must pick a discipline but within that discipline there are so many directions and opportunities.  

My kid attended for middle school and decided to go to a more traditional high school and loved her time at OSA and still has close friends that attend.  She is still creative and wants a career in the arts, and is at the top of all her art classes and has confidence off the charts.  I credit the staff at OSA- they were so supportive of her moving on and really meet the kids where they are at- no wrong direction as long as it is positive and forward.

My artistic kid graduated from Berkeley High and got acceptance letters from Pratt in NYC and Emily Carr in Vancouver, BC. She went to Emily Carr. There is an amazing art class at BHS called IB Art that she took for 2 years. To improve her drawing and add to her portfolio she took figure drawing and screen-printing classes at Richmond Art Center that were meant for adults. I strongly recommend that you go to the portfolio review day in SF when your kid is a junior. Mine received a lot of helpful advice on improving her portfolio there as well as finding out about Emily Carr School of Design, which she fell in love with.