Utah Arts Academy

Utah ARTS Academy is a unique school located in the heart of St. George. Our teachers and staff reflect the diversity of our community. While we are an arts-focused school—which can sometimes carry the misconception that we lean toward more “liberal” methods or content—we are committed to ensuring that all content taught and performed is sensitive to our students and age-appropriate.

As one of the few high schools in the area with a dress code, we strive to create an environment where all students can thrive. We respect and protect the individual beliefs and values of each student and their family. Our teaching approach is unbiased, fostering a space where all students feel safe and comfortable expressing their beliefs.

At UAA, we have no political agenda. Our goal is to educate students through a creative and curiosity-driven lens, encouraging exploration and growth.

Utah ARTS Academy uses Niche as our official ranking system, as it is the most widely used platform for school-based decisions in the United States. We are proud to hold the following rankings:

• Top Arts High School in Utah (out of 17 schools) — 5th year in a row!
• Top 15% of Arts High Schools Nationwide (out of 1,200 schools)
• Top 5% of Teachers Nationwide (out of 19,000 schools)
• Top 7% of Teachers in Utah (out of 180 schools)

Additionally, UAA is ranked as the #1 arts school in Utah and remains among the top 12% of arts schools across the nation. Our continued excellence reflects the dedication of our teachers and the passion of our students.

Utah ARTS Academy ranks among the top 2 academic schools in Southern Utah, alongside Success and Crimson. We also hold the highest composite ACT score among districts in the region and are recognized as one of the top 10 schools for English in the state of Utah. UAA is ranked 8th out of 80 districts and charter schools in Utah. 

In addition, U.S. News & World Report has named UAA a School of Distinction, further highlighting our commitment to academic excellence.

In one word, the academics at UAA are truly AMAZING!

Yes, across the street to UAA is an LDS building and we offer seminary to all those students who want to participate. If we have enough students, we offer classes during the school day, which takes the place of an elective.

UAA is a FREE public charter school. Students pay regular public school fees, but we also provide resources to help.  

Absolutely! The majority of our teachers hold terminal degrees in their fields and bring extensive professional experience from both inside and outside of Utah. Our faculty includes experts who have:

• Coached actors in Los Angeles
• Written songs with millions of streams
• Performed with the Utah Symphony
• Toured with renowned bands
• Exhibited artwork in national shows

At UAA, students receive top-tier instruction from some of the most accomplished and professional educators in Utah.

Absolutely! We have the programs, staff, and connections to help your child reach the next level. Our extensive network includes industry leaders from Disney, Netflix, Hulu, Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, and beyond.

UAA students consistently earn top national awards in the arts and gain admission to prestigious programs across the country. We also offer master classes in all disciplines and connect students with working artists in dance, music, theatre, musical theatre, guitar, visual arts, improv, and more—across all major arts hubs.

It's one of the questions we hear most, and it's a fair one.  The truth is that the arts don't narrow a student's future—they expand it. Our graduates become performers, designers, producers, musicians, and artists, but they also become doctors, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. What they carry with them isn't just artistic skill; it's creativity, discipline, collaboration, confidence, and the ability to solve problems in original ways.  Art has always been part of what makes us human. We celebrate through it, we grieve through it, and we find connection through it. Whether your child chooses a career in the arts or another field entirely, learning to create is learning to see the world with empathy and purpose. That's an education that lasts a lifetime.

Yes! Many of our students pursue this path. We have an outstanding partnership with Utah Tech University for concurrent enrollment, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. Several of our students have even graduated with an associate degree by the time they finish at UAA.

Yes! UAA offers a comprehensive ACT Boot Camp that helps students prepare for and succeed on the ACT. This program effectively narrows the opportunity gap, with students typically seeing a two to four-point score increase—often the difference between college admission or securing a scholarship.

We are the only school in the area to offer this level of programming built into the school day and completely FREE for students. Comparable private courses typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per student, making this an incredible value for UAA families.

es, we have had many successful students go through the SA/ACE program while attending our school. We have a partnership with Success for this purpose. 

That’s fantastic! We love that your child is actively practicing their craft. At UAA, we are dedicated to elevating each student and helping them reach the next level—whether that’s university or a professional career.

While performances are fun and valuable, we also encourage students to challenge themselves through expert training. Our teachers are all working professionals in their fields, with most holding master’s degrees in their areas of expertise. We also appreciate and support the many great organizations in our community that provide additional opportunities for young artists.

Absolutely! Our teachers are highly qualified in both academics and the arts, and we take pride in having an elite staff with impressive credentials and industry connections. These include affiliations with:

• Actors Equity and Directors Guild
• ASCAP and BMI
• Harvard University and McRel
• Disney Theatricals, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
• Major arts hubs like Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City
• Broadway and numerous top universities

Our faculty’s expertise ensures that students receive the highest level of education and training.

We take student safety very seriously and are committed to creating an environment where all students feel welcome and respected. UAA is open and accepting of every student, and we have a strict no-bullying policy in place.

Our school culture fosters respect and inclusivity, and both students and teachers are constantly mindful of this. With smaller class sizes and the ability to connect with every student individually, creating a safe and supportive environment is always our top priority.

Yes! We host a school-wide musical every year, and each studio holds events and performances throughout the year, including: dance, improv, art shows, singer-songwriter showcases, jazz band, plays, vocal performances, guitar, piano, strings, and more.

We are committed to making our performances student-centered, with students taking an active role in creating marketing materials, performing live music, and managing sound and lighting. This hands-on approach helps students gain real-world experience in every aspect of production.

Yes! We offer several off-site performance and learning opportunities. Our students compete nationally with YoungArts (we have more than a dozen winners total). We also create experiential learning opportunities that align with performance outcomes.

Our students have traveled to locations such as California, New York, Arizona, Nevada, and across Utah. They have earned numerous awards, particularly through YoungArts, which also connects them to scholarships nationwide. Additionally, our House Band is touring Greece this summer as a working band. 

Each year, our students amass scholarships to top universities that collectively exceed millions of dollars.