ABOUT OCSA

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OCSA, or the Orange County School of the Arts, is a prestigious public charter school located in Santa Ana, California. It is known for its unique focus on both academic excellence and intensive arts education. Established in 1987, OCSA offers a wide range of conservatory programs in the visual and performing arts, including music, dance, theater, visual arts, creative writing, culinary arts, and more.

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Students at OCSA receive rigorous academic instruction alongside professional- level training in their chosen art discipline, fostering both their intellectual and creative growth. The school attracts talented young artists from across Southern California and has a reputation for producing graduates who go on to successful careers in the arts, entertainment, and other fields.

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OCSA's dynamic environment is marked by a strong sense of community and collaboration, with students often participating in performances, exhibitions, and other events that showcase their talents. The school is also committed to providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, offering financial aid and scholarships to ensure that the arts are accessible to all.

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Overall, OCSA is celebrated for its nurturing environment, where young artists can thrive both academically and artistically, preparing them for future success in college and beyond.

 

OCSA Admission Process

Applicant Evaluation: After completing the Placement Activity, applicants will receive a scored rubric that includes constructive feedback and a proficiency level assessment from our conservatory staff. Only those applicants who meet the minimum proficiency level will be eligible to enter the lottery for that specific conservatory.

Lottery Process:  Admission to each conservatory is determined through a public, random drawing (or "lottery"), conducted by conservatory, grade level, and, when applicable, concentration. This lottery is held in accordance with the admission preferences outlined in OCSA’s approved charter petition. Once all available spots are filled, additional applicant numbers will be drawn and placed on a waitlist in the order they were drawn.

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Conservatory Placement Activities provide applicants with an opportunity to showcase their artistic talents. With the exception of the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory, participation in a Placement Activity is required for all OCSA conservatories. Upon completing the Conservatory Placement Activity, applicants receive a scored rubric that includes helpful feedback and a proficiency level assessment from the conservatory staff. Applicants may enter the lottery for a conservatory only if they have completed the Placement Activity and met the minimum proficiency level.

 

Applicants are advised to thoroughly review the specific Placement Activity Guidelines for each conservatory, as all aspects of the guidelines must be fulfilled for the application to be considered complete. Failure to meet the Placement Activity Guideline requirements will impact the final rubric score. When guidelines require digital submission of materials, these must be included with the application, which is due by January 17, 2024. Conservatory materials, such as art portfolios and writing samples, must be saved as a single PDF to ensure successful upload into the application. For assistance in converting a file to PDF, applicants should contact the Admissions Office as soon as possible and avoid waiting until the application deadline.

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For in-person Placement Activities, the Admissions Office will schedule applicants into the first available appointment. Applicants will receive an email confirming the Placement Activity date and time, which will be sent to the primary email address used to create the Applicant Portal. All in-person Placement Activities for the upcoming school year will take place in January and February 2024.

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Additional support is available for students, parents, or guardians requiring translation services to fully understand the admissions process, as well as for those needing technology assistance. Applicants currently receiving or who have received special services are encouraged to request any necessary accommodations to support them during the admissions process.