MSA Admissions

As a community within Novato High School, we are both proud Hornets (NHS mascot) and proud Servals (MSA mascot.) In the MSA community, we value creativity, passion, hard-work, and diversity.  Our MSA admission process reflects our desire to continually develop our MSA identity as talented and committed artist scholars that represent the best of the Bay.

Admission to Marin School of the Arts at Novato High School is through an application and audition review process.  Students are accepted both from within the Novato Unified School District and all areas of Marin, Sonoma and surrounding counties through an inter-district transfer process.

During the Fall and Winter, prospective students and their parents are invited to participate in activities that help families understand the breadth and depth of our program offerings including MSA Family Tours and Student Shadow Days.  These activities are offered before beginning the application process (see information below).  Admission to MSA is based on the criteria described on the Audition and Portfolio Requirements page.  No preference is given to where an incoming student lives.

Because Marin School of the Arts is a specialized program within Novato High School for students who are passionate about the arts and may wish to pursue college-level arts training we require students need to maintain over a 2.0 grade point average and good attendance and citizenship. These qualities will be verified after auditions and before communicating an official offer.

We welcome the opportunity to get to know all interested applicants and look forward to either seeing you at a Family Tour or reviewing your application!

The Application Process

Acceptance to the Marin School of the Arts is based primarily on the student’s audition and review of the student’s application by the program faculty. We are looking for students who are passionate about their art form—it is not necessary for applicants to have previous professional training.

Once ALL required application forms have been submitted (see instructions below), applicant families will be contacted to schedule audition(s) for your student’s program(s) of interest.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. MSA applications will open in November for the 2020-21 school year.

2. FINAL APPLICATION DATE:  Thursday, January 8, 2020, unless otherwise specified.

3. AUDITIONS & PORTFOLIO INTERVIEWS: February 1-2, 2020, with the exception of Theatre Arts, which will hold auditions on January 18-19. 

Applicants are currently being contacted to schedule audition(s), if you are an applicant who has not been notified, please contact the MSA Office . You may also visit the Audition and Portfolio Requirements page for more information about each program’s audition process.

4. REQUIRED SCHOOL RECORDS: In order to complete your application, please send copies of the applicant’s unofficial school transcript, attendance and discipline records to MSA Office Manager Terrie Baum. You may use the Records Request by Parent form (click form title to download) to request your student’s records from your school. Please send your student’s records which to the MSA Office Manager via direct fax at 415-798-5377 or mail to 625 Arthur St., Novato, CA 94947, attn: Terrie Baum.

5. FINAL AUDITION DATE: Sunday, February 3, 2020

6. NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSION STATUS BEGINS: February 24, 2020

7. LETTERS OF INTENT MUST BE RETURNED TO MSA BY: Monday, March 9, 2020

For additional information or questions contact:  Marin School of the Arts, 625 Arthur, Novato, CA 94947.
 Phone: (415) 798-5063 or email: MSA@nusd.org

MSA Family Tour Days

MSA offers Family Tour Days to give prospective students and their parents a chance to experience all that MSA has to offer. Tours are held from 9:30am —1pm and begin in the Novato High School Library with a brief information session with MSA and NHS administrators followed by a tour of MSA classes in session. Reservations are required to attend a Family Tour Day.

MSA Student Shadow Days

Prospective students who would like a more in-depth experience in their MSA program of interest may request a Student Shadow Day after attending an MSA Family Tour. Parents will receive an email following their tour to set up a potential Shadow Day. During Student Shadow Day, prospective students are matched with current MSA students based on their area of interest.  Parents do not attend Student Shadow Days.

For additional information about MSA programs please visit our MSA Programs section or email the MSA Office .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit another program application at a later date?

We are currently only able accept additional program application forms for applicants who selected a program on their Student Information Form but neglected to the submit the program application. (See above).

Can I apply to Product Design?

YES! Product Design is now open approved for new applications beginning 2019-20 school year. Please follow the regular application procedure for that program if you have an interest.

Can I make changes to previously submitted forms?

Yes. Please contact our systems administrator Karen Vais for assistance.