• Applications will be available Nov. 8
• A list of the materials and documents necessary for application will also be available then.
• After a review of all applications, those students with the strongest applications will be invited to a virtual audition. 
• Students who are not invited to audition are encouraged to continue studying in their area of interest and to apply again the following year.
• Notification about whether an applicant has been invited to audition will be sent out in early March.
• Auditions will take place virtually in mid-March.
• Auditions consist of an interview and a department-specific component.
• Students who were invited to audition will be notified in early April whether or not they have been accepted.
• There is also the possibility of being waitlisted.

• You should apply during the winter of the school year before you'd like to attend.
• Applications usually open in the late fall and close at the end of January. We encourage you to complete your application well before the deadline. There is preparation required for application materials for many departments and we want you to have time to show us your best work!
• ASFA accepts students in the arts who are entering 7th-11th grade and students in math-science who are entering 8th-11th grade.
• After the regular admission deadline admission is available on a space available basis. 

We are a public school funded by the State of Alabama. There is no tuition for Alabama residents. There are some fees associated with certain classes and specialty departments. For boarding students, the dorm costs $2,600 a year.

ASFA offers a Financial Assistance Program to ASFA families who need assistance paying fees. The application and more information is available here: asfaschool.org/financialassistance

You must have a 70 average during the semester you are applying. Also, your scores on national testing and teacher recommendations are of importance in the application process.

ASFA is looking for students who are passionate and serious about a particular specialty program, so students are only able to apply to one specialty department. Applications are accepted for creative writing, dance, math-science, music, theatre arts or visual arts.

Those applicants from the regular admission deadline who are invited to audition will be notified about auditions at the beginning of March. Auditions are usually held in mid-March. This year auditions will be virtual.

Usually around 100 students are accepted each year. The number varies each year according to the space available in the departments and the overall school enrollment.

Students spend the first half of the day in their academic classes. The second half of the day is spent in their specialty classes.

ASFA has a standard dress code, but students do not wear school uniforms.

• Most students follow the regular school day hours (8:00 AM - 4:40 PM) of the Monday-Friday bell schedule.
• Exceptions to these regular school hours include:
• 7th and 8th-grade creative writing and visual arts students: 8:00 AM - 3:12 PM
• All math-science students: 8:00 AM - 4:05 PM
• Dance students: 8:00 AM start time and follow the internal departmental schedule

Spend a Day at ASFA offers prospective students the chance to experience a full school day on our campus. They will be paired with an ASFA student and follow that student's school schedule for the day to experience a typical day at ASFA. Click here to sign up.

We have carpool lists available to help families locate someone they could carpool with. We do not offer bus service.

Yes, visit our financial aid page to learn more.