Thank you for your interest in applying for admission to
Denver School of the Arts!
…

Denver School of the Arts is a public school for students in grades 6 through 12 that offers intensive studies in 11 majors (areas of study): band, creative writing, dance, guitar, orchestra, piano, stagecraft & design*, theatre, video cinema arts, visual arts, or vocal music.

*high school only

Step 1: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION

Complete the DSA application, which will be linked here, anytime November 3, 2025 through December 19, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. DSA does not accept late applications, so ensure that this step has been completed no later than 8:00 p.m. on December 19, 2025 or the student artist will not be able to audition.

Once you complete the application and click “submit,” you will receive an email with your responses – this serves as your confirmation that the application has been submitted to the school.

Families seeking support in completing the application are welcome to visit DSA’s main office in person during the application window and our office staff will assist them.

Students may apply and audition for one Major only.
Note – Stagecraft and Design is high school only. Students entering grades 6, 7 and 8 cannot apply for this Major.

Families/student applicants do NOT need to sign-up for the pre-audition meeting because the online application (step 1) is the sign-up.
Pre-audition meetings will take place in-person at the Denver School of the Arts or virtually using Google Meet.

Step 2: ATTEND THE PRE-AUDITION MEETING

Each department will explain their audition process at their pre audition meeting, share more information about the major, and discuss what it’s like to attend Denver School of the Arts. Audition appointment information will also be shared at the pre-audition meeting. Attendance at the pre-audition meeting is optional; however, DSA requests that applicants/families watch the recording of the meeting and review the meeting materials prior to being provided an audition appointment if they were not able to attend the pre-audition meeting in person.

Band: November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – Live Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/cjb-rzre-wwm
Creative Writing: November 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – Live Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/upq-msir-zfp
Dance: November 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – This meeting will be in person at DSA North campus in the Dance Studio Theatre
Guitar: November 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – Live Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ycf-emsv-ach
Orchestra: November 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – This meeting will be in person at DSA North Orchestra classroom
Piano: Pre-audition meeting date coming soon!
Stagecraft & Design: November 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – This meeting will be virtual & link will be added here soon
Theatre: November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – This meeting will be in person at DSA North campus in the Schomp Theatre
Video Cinema Arts: November 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – Live Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/bbs-weoe-wnc
Visual Arts: Comprehensive audition video posted here November 10, 2025 (No in person or virtual audition meeting)
Vocal Music: November 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – This meeting will be in person at DSA North campus in the Concert Hall

Interpretation for the pre audition meeting
If you would like interpretation services available at either the pre-audition meeting or audition itself, please email our auditions team least two weeks prior at auditions_dsa.groups@dpsk12.net and be sure to include what language is needed and your student’s name.

Step 3: COMPLETE THE AUDITION

Auditions for admission to Denver School of the Arts are by appointment only and appointment information will be shared at the pre-audition meeting for the Major.
Auditions for the 2026/2027 school year will take place in November/December 2025 and very early January 2026.
All students who complete an audition will be notified by email by end of day January 14, 2026 about the outcome of their audition: accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted.

IEP/504 Accommodations for Auditions
If a student will need special consideration or accommodations in the audition process, the student (or parent/guardian) must request the special considerations sought or accommodations needed and must provide supporting documentation (such as an IEP or Section 504 Plan). It would be discriminatory for the District to assume that special considerations or accommodations are necessary without first receiving such a request and appropriate supporting documentation.
At least one week prior to the audition, please provide a copy via email of the Section 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to the DSA staff member listed in the audition materials.

The admission of an identified student with disabilities eligible for special education and related services is contingent upon the determination of an IEP Team that the student can receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment at the school.

Interpretation for the Audition
If you would like interpretation services available at either the pre-audition meeting or audition itself, please email our auditions team least two weeks prior at auditions_dsa.groups@dpsk12.net and be sure to include what language is needed and your student’s name.

Audition Feedback
Due to the large number of applicants who complete the audition process, we do not offer written or verbal feedback.

Step 4: COMPLETE THE DPS SCHOOLCHOICE APPLICATION

Applicants to DSA must complete DPS SchoolChoice enrollment as a part of the application process. The DPS SchoolChoice Round 1 window for the 2026/27 school year opens at 10 a.m. on December 2, 2025 and runs through January 20, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Please note: completing DPS SchoolChoice and selecting “DSA” does not secure enrollment unless and until the student has been offered a seat via an audition at Denver School of the Arts.

NOTIFICATION PROCESS

All students who complete an audition will be notified by email by end of day January 14, 2026 about the outcome of their audition (either accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted).
If accepted, the student will have a seat at DSA next school year.
If waitlisted, DSA will contact the student’s family if/when openings become available. (Please note: this may not be until the start of the 2027 school year.)
If not accepted, DSA thanks you for taking the time to audition, but is not able to offer a seat at DSA to the student for the next school year.

Due to the large number of applicants who complete the audition process, we do not offer written or verbal feedback. DPS Office and Choice and Enrollment Services will also notify all students of their 2026/2027 school assignment through the DPS online system (email and/or text) in late February 2026.

We do not offer shadowing or tours. Please consider attending an open house evening to learn more about our school.
Questions specific to the major and its audition process will be addressed at the pre-audition meetings. Other questions may be directed to the DSA auditions team at auditions_dsa.groups@dpsk12.net

All information is subject to change. Please visit this site regularly for updates.