All students must first complete the San Diego Unified School District Open Enrollment Application.

Students can choose from four main forms of music: Band, Jazz, Orchestra, and Voice.

The advanced musical groups go on annual tours to compete against other schools from around the nation.

Students in the Visual and Cinematic Arts programs take courses in photography, drawing and painting, video production, and yearbook.

In 2015, the SDSCPA opened a new multimillion dollar film studio, launching the Cinematic Arts program.