San Francisco High School of the Arts

What San Francisco High School of the Arts does

San Francisco High School of the Arts (HSArts) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts school founded in 2010 in San Francisco, California, serving students in grades 6 through 12. It delivers a hybrid curriculum combining pre-professional arts training in dance (ballet and Chinese dance), music, visual arts, and theatre with a college-preparatory academic program that includes 18 AP courses and 18 UC-approved honors courses, an Accelerated Math Pathway from Algebra I in 7th grade through AP Calculus BC, and an integrated Computer Science Pathway covering JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Python. The school characterizes its approach as a "Timeless Education Model" and "Whole Child Education Model," emphasizing character development through universal values alongside the arts-academic integration, with average class sizes of 10-14 students and a 10:1 student-teacher ratio at a 32,000-square-foot campus near Golden Gate Park.

HSArts operates on a tuition-based subscription revenue model, charging $32,650-$43,460 per year for domestic students and $37,900-$48,600 for international students (who receive an extended 8am-6pm day), with a $1,800 annual lunch program and ancillary fees. Revenue is augmented by an Intensive Arts Bootcamp (1-4 weeks, $28/hr group, $60/hr private) and a Professional Track Remote Learning Program. The school monetizes a broader ecosystem through specialized programs including the International Student Assimilation Program (ISAP), English Language Enhancement Program (ELEP), Artistic Enhancement Program for homeschoolers (AEP), Preparatory School Program for 5th graders (PSP), and a Summer Program. The institution is expanding into elementary education with the San Francisco Arts and Science Academy (ASA), a TK-5 school opening Fall 2026 at the Star of the Sea campus in Inner Richmond.

The institution is led by Head of School Dr. Sherry Zhang (co-founder, Ph.D. in Chemistry from Oregon State University) and Artistic Director Mr. Dongsheng Wei (former principal dancer of Atlanta Ballet for 14 years). Governance is independent, with no parent company or PE backing; the school is funded primarily through tuition and fees with need-based financial aid administered via School and Student Services (SSS). Operations are fully accredited by WASC (six-year term, renewed 2020) and the high school curriculum is approved under the University of California A-G program, supporting a 100% college acceptance rate maintained for seven consecutive years.

Name

San Francisco High School of the Arts

Legal name

San Francisco High School of the Arts

Website

https://highschoolofthearts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Francisco High School of the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit private school in San Francisco serving grades 6-12, combining pre-professional arts training (dance, music, visual arts, theatre) with a college-preparatory academic curriculum on a 10:1 student-teacher ratio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts-Focused Private K–12 Schools (EDAJABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE), Arts Education Instruction (Visual/Performing) (EDAJAFAK)

Keywords

• Arts education
• Private school
• College preparatory
• Dance conservatory
• Visual arts training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition - US Residents: Annual tuition for full-time academic and arts instruction. Middle School (Grades 6-8): $32,650/year; High School (Grades 9-12): $43,460/year. Includes instruction, books, educational materials, and laboratory costs. Additional fees: $500/year for art supplies or costumes/props.
2. Tuition - International Students: Annual tuition for international students with extended day program (8am-6pm). Middle School (Grades 6-8): $37,900/year; High School (Grades 9-12): $48,600/year. Includes instruction, books, materials, labs, and after school program.
3. Optional Lunch Program: School Lunch Program: $1,800 per year. Healthy home-cooked Chinese buffet including soup, rice, fresh vegetables, meats, milk and fruit. Fridays offer homemade organic pizza.
4. Remote Learning Program: Distance learning program for aspiring student artists following pre-professional tracks, providing academic program alongside arts training.
5. Intensive Arts Bootcamp: Short-term immersive arts program focused on Chinese Dance and visual arts. Program length: 1-4 weeks, 3-6 hours per day. Group classes: $28/student/hour; Private classes: $60/student/hour.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

San Francisco High School of the Arts (HSArts) is a private nonprofit arts school providing pre-professional arts training in Dance (Ballet and Chinese Dance), Music, Visual Arts, and Theatre Arts, integrated with a rigorous college-preparatory academic curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The school supplements its core conservatory programs with specialized offerings including international student support, English language enhancement, remote learning for pre-professional artists, artistic enhancement for homeschoolers, and summer bootcamps. Students select one arts discipline to specialize in while maintaining small class sizes of 10-14 students and a 10:1 student-teacher ratio.

Product overview

San Francisco High School of the Arts (HSArts) is a private arts school providing a holistic education combining pre-professional arts training with rigorous college-preparatory academics for students in grades 6-12. The institution offers four core arts conservatories—Dance (Ballet and Chinese Dance), Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Visual Arts, and Theatre Arts—alongside a comprehensive academic program featuring STEM, Humanities, AP/Honors courses, and Chinese language instruction. The school supplements its core programs with specialized offerings including the International Student Assimilation Program, English Language Enhancement Program, Professional Track Remote Learning Program, Artistic Enhancement Program for homeschooled students, Preparatory School Program for 5th graders, and Summer/Intensive Arts Bootcamp programs. Students must focus on one arts discipline while receiving small class instruction (10-14 students average) and participating in regular performances at venues including the Herbst Theater.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Middle School of the Arts: Middle school program for students in grades 6-8 with comprehensive arts program and rigorous academics.
• Dance Conservatory
• San Francisco Arts and Science Academy (ASA)
• Summer Program

Products and services

• High School Program A rigorous four-year college preparatory program for students in grades 9-12 combining pre-professional arts training with comprehensive academics, including STEM, humanities, and AP/honors courses.
• Middle School Program A rigorous academic program for students in grades 6-8 preparing them for the high school college preparatory program, with foundational arts training.
• Dance Conservatory Pre-professional dance training program offering ballet and Chinese dance with performance opportunities and competitions for students in grades K-12.
• Music Conservatory Comprehensive music education program offering instrumental and vocal training, including preparation for conservatory auditions.
• Visual Arts Program Visual arts education covering art fundamentals and media arts, with ARC Approved School status and student gallery exhibitions.
• Theatre Arts Program Theatre arts program featuring musical theatre training and performance opportunities.
• International Student Assimilation Program (ISAP) Comprehensive support program for international students including orientation, mentorship, cultural exchange, academic support, and social integration services.
• English Language Enhancement Program (ELEP) Intensive ESL curriculum for international students covering literature, language acquisition, and academic content to facilitate transition to mainstream courses.
• Professional Track Remote Learning Program (PTRLP) Distance learning program for aspiring student artists requiring flexible academic schedules to accommodate pre-professional arts training.
• Artistic Enhancement Program (AEP) Arts program for homeschooled students offering instruction in dance, music, visual arts, and theatre from award-winning artist-teachers.
• Preparatory School Program (PSP) Fifth grade program preparing students for middle school through comprehensive academics and arts exposure including visual arts, music, dance, and theatre.
• Intensive Arts Bootcamp (IABP) Immersive short-term program (1-4 weeks) focused on Chinese Dance and visual arts training for students of all skill levels; group classes at $28/student/hour, private classes at $60/student/hour.
• Summer Program Seasonal immersive arts and academic experiences for students, including arts and academic summer programming.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bay Area Directors of Admission (BADA)minorOthersAffiliated organization for admission professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Art Renewal CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization dedicated to promoting realistic art and supporting art education institutions.
• Academy of Art UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt and design university in San Francisco with potential pathway and collaboration opportunities for HSArts graduates.
• Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area (ISSFBA)minorOthersProfessional organization of independent schools in the Bay Area.
• Americans for the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational arts advocacy organization. Head of School Dr. Sherry Zhang is a member.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)minorOthersNational organization serving independent schools and advancing independent education.
• School and Student Services (SSS)coreTechnology or IntegrationFinancial aid processing partner. HSArts uses SSS Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) for need-based tuition assistance determination.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SanFranHSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/HSArtsSF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-francisco-high-school-of-the-arts

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco High School of the Arts