DSA and the Middle School Arts Conservatories offer the following core art forms of study:

• Dance
• Instrumental Music
• Literary Arts*
• Multimedia Production**
• Theatre
• Visual Art
• Vocal Music

 *DSA only
**DSA and Brenda Scott Academy only

Where you find your heart in the ARTS! The Detroit School of Arts honors the talents of Detroit-Area youths and provides an extraordinary program in a facility that is world-class and a midtown treasure. Just minutes away from the theatre and museum districts, DSA provides exceptional resources through a college-prep curriculum that maximizes student learning, motivation, achievement, and excellence by integrating artistic mediums and academic rigor.

Principal: Lisa Reynolds
Phone: (313) 494-6000
Web: detroitk12.org/dsa

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Committed to students' academic and artistic excellence, we develop, cultivate, and celebrate our scholars' unique gifts, talents, abilities, and skills. BSA scholars are positioned to soar high. #LearnersTodayLeadersTomorrow.

Principal: Lawanda Smith
Phone: (313) 866-6700
Web: detroitk12.org/brendascott

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Experience a 21st century state-of-the-ARTS learning environment where award-winning students and teachers are recognized for their academic achievement and rigorous arts education.

Principal: Kimberly Pierce
Phone: (313) 852-8500
Web: detroitk12.org/ellington

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While always legendary, JRK Conservatory students are engaged in high-quality performing arts programming, a rigorous academic curriculum, and technology in a creative learning environment aimed at producing beyond extraordinary future artists.

Principal: Jennifer Spencer
Phone: (313) 866-9600
Web: detroitk12.org/jrking

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Located in the heart of the Midtown cultural district, students in the Spain Middle School Arts Conservatory are encouraged to showcase their talents and set high expectations infused with intensive arts education and a challenging academic anchor housed in a dedicated fine and performing arts wing.

Principal: Frederick Cannon
Phone: (313) 494-2081
Web: detroitk12.org/spain

26 DSA Pathways Partners have been established to support the arts training at DSA and the 4 DSA Middle School Arts Conservatories. These partners include colleges and universities, major cultural institutions, and community arts organizations. The partners’ work will be spread across the five DSA Pathways schools, though each school will not necessarily work with all of the 26 partner organizations.

• Art Road
• The Carr Center
• College for Creative Studies Community Arts Partnerships (CCS CAP)
• Design Connect
• Detroit Creativity Project (DCP)
• Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
• Detroit Institute of Music Education at Oakland University (DIME @OU)
• Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation (DJFF)
• Detroit Public Theatre (DPT)
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO)
• Eisenhower Dance Detroit (EDD)
• Heritage Works
• InsideOut Literary Arts (iO)
• Living Arts
• Michigan Opera Theater (MOT)
• Michigan State University Community Music School – Detroit (MSU CMS-D)
• Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit (Mosaic)
• The Motown Museum
• Music Hall Center for Performing Arts (Music Hall)
• Pewabic Pottery (Pewabic)
• Shakespeare in Detroit (SiD)
• Sphinx Organization (Sphinx)
• University of Michigan School of Music Theatre and Dance (UM SMTD)
• University Musical Society (UMS)
• Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts (WSU CFPCA)
• YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit -- Y Arts

DSA PATHWAYS

What is the DSA Pathways Initiative? 

DSA Pathways is a District initiative to devote resources and expertise to enhancing the artistic and educational programs of Detroit School of Arts (DSA) and four selected K-8 Feeder Schools: John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy, Brenda Scott Academy for Theatre Arts, Spain Elementary-Middle School, Edward “Duke” Ellington Conservatory of Art and Music at Beckham Academy. “Pathways” not only refers to creating pathways for admission to DSA but also to the College and Career pathways for which these programs prepare DPSCD students. Middle School Arts Conservatories are in each of the DSA Feeder Schools, and  DSA Pathways schools are supported by DSA Pathways Partners. 

What are DSA Pathways Partners? 

26 DSA Pathways Partners have been established to support the arts training at DSA and the four DSA Feeder Schools. These partners include colleges and universities, major cultural institutions, and community arts organizations. The partners’ work will be spread across the five DSA Pathways schools, though each school will not necessarily work with all of the 26 partner organizations. 

What is a Middle School Arts Conservatory? 

Arts Conservatory is a term for a school focused on advanced study of one or more art forms. The DPSCD Middle School Arts Conservatory programs will allow selected 6th–8th-grade students to focus on intensive arts training in addition to their academic classes. Students will be admitted to DSA Pathways Middle School Arts Conservatories through application and audition. 

Why do students need to apply and audition for DSA and Middle School Arts Conservatories? 

Like other Application and Examination schools in DSPCD, DSA Pathways Schools are looking to identify students with specialized interests, talents, and skills – in the Arts for potential conservatory students. In addition to identifying students who would most benefit from advanced arts training, having them study alongside students of similar artistic interests and skills will intensify the learning experience. 

Can students currently attending schools outside of DPSCD apply for DSA or the Middle School Arts Conservatories? 

Yes! Middle school and high school students from any school are eligible to apply, audition and – if accepted – attend Detroit School of the Arts or any of the four Middle School Arts Conservatories. 

Will students already enrolled in one of the four Feeder Schools need to apply and audition for Middle School Conservatories? 

Yes. All grade 6-8 students who wish to attend a Middle School Arts Conservatory must apply and audition to be accepted. Students already enrolled in the school and recommended by their arts instructors may not need to audition. 

Do all middle school students at the DSA Feeder Schools need to apply to be in the Middle School Arts Conservatory in order to be enrolled in the school? 

No. Middle School students at the DSA Feeder Schools do not need to be in the Arts Conservatory in order to be a student at the school. Middle school students not in the Arts Conservatory will continue to have the opportunity to take Arts and other K-8 electives. 

Which Arts Disciplines can a student apply for? 

Students applying for DSA and Middle School Arts Conservatories can apply to major in the following areas: Dance, Drama, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, and Visual Arts. Students applying for DSA can also apply to major in Multimedia Production (a College Technical Education program) and Literary Arts (9th-grade applicants only). 

How does a student “audition” for non-performing arts, such as visual arts, literary arts, and multimedia production? 

Students applying for non-performing arts will have a “portfolio review” and interview instead of a traditional audition. An arts “portfolio” is a collection of examples of a student’s work in that art form. For example, someone applying for visual arts would include samples of drawings, paintings, sculptures – or photos of these. 

Are 8th graders at the Middle School Arts Conservatories guaranteed admission to DSA? 

No. Students from Middle School Arts Conservatories are still required to apply and audition for admission to DSA. The advantage these students have is that at the Middle School Arts Conservatories, students will get intensive arts training to help prepare a competitive audition for DSA. They also get the opportunity to interact with and familiarize themselves with DSA teachers in their arts discipline. 

THE FINE & PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM APPLICATION

How do I apply for DSA or a Middle School Conservatory? 

To apply, submit an online application to a Middle School Conservatory or DSA. You can also download a paper application and submit it to any of the four Middle School Conservatory Schools during operating hours. Applications will be accepted through September 10. DSA seeks students with at least a 2.5 GPA. 

When will auditions take place? 

Detroit School of Arts auditions are online only and must be submitted with the application. 

The Middle School Arts Conservatory application allows online auditions to be submitted with the application, but also gives the option to schedule a virtual or live audition. Once an application has been submitted and accepted, the school will schedule a specific audition date for students who do not submit an audition with their application. 

I don’t have a computer at home to start my application and need help uploading documents. 

The online application is mobile-friendly and you can do it all on a smartphone. If you prefer, you can visit one of the DSA Pathways schools or check out one of our parent workshops. Be sure to bring all documents. You will have access to a laptop and someone to assist you with uploading documents. 

Whose contact information should I enter at the beginning of the application? 

The contact information provided on page 1 of the application should be for the parent/guardian who will serve as the primary contact  for the student. Make sure you regularly access the email address used to create this account; all major communications will be sent to this email address. In most cases, it is best if this email is that of the parent or guardian. 

I need to change the email address on my account. How do I do that? 

You can change the account email by clicking "Settings" from the user menu found in the top right of the browser, then clicking "Update Profile Info." 

I’m interested in more than one school. How many schools can I apply for? 

You may only apply for one DSA Pathways school per student. 

How will I know if my child was accepted? 

Final notifications will be provided by the school you applied for. It will be sent via email or mail. You may also be notified via phone. 

DSA APPLICATIONS
I had some problems with my application. Can I just start a new one? 

No, but you can make changes to your application before submitting it. You may save a draft and revisit it anytime before the deadline. If a student submits multiple applications, only the first one will be accepted. 

How do I save my application so I can return to it later? 

You may save and return to your application at any time by scrolling to the bottom and clicking "Save Draft." You can access it and resume editing by clicking on "Submissions", "Saved Drafts," and then "Continue." 

I submitted my application, but need to make a change. 

If you would like to modify something on an application that has already been submitted prior to the application deadline, you can click on the application submission and click "Edit" on the top right of the submission detail page. 

I have general questions about DSA Pathways, DSA, or Middle School Arts Conservatories. 

Contact Lisa Arnold, the Curriculum Leader of Fine and Performing Arts, or contact each of the schools directly in the DSA Pathways–Schools section above. You can also attend one of their scheduled open houses.

I have a technical question about Submittable. What should I do? 

Contact Submittable's customer support from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday at (855) 467-8264  ext. 2. 

Whose email should I use to create my application account?  

The email associated with the Submittable account will be used for all communications regarding the application, including exam and interview appointments and acceptance decisions. Please be sure the email address:  

• Is easily accessible by the applicant’s parent/guardian  
• Is an account that is frequently checked.  
• Is not a school-issued student email account, as firewalls often prevent emails being sent to these accounts.  

I don’t have a home computer.  How can I submit an application?   

The application is mobile-friendly, so you may apply on any internet-enabled device like a smartphone or tablet. If not, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our trained support team. Services include webinars and 1-on-1 support phone and video calls.   

Click here to schedule an application assistance appointment.     

Who should complete the application?  

A parent or guardian should complete the application and electronically sign it.  

For all other questions, please contact Lisa Arnold, Fine and Performing Arts Curriculum Leader.