Frequently Asked Questions about 

Southwood Academy of the Arts

1. How does Southwood Academy rank compared to other schools?  Out of 308 middle schools state-wide, Southwood Academy is ranked 10th in the state and 2nd in the upstate. 

2. How does my child get to attend Southwood Academy? Each year, we visit the fifth graders of all ten District 5 elementary schools in order to discuss what our school has to offer.  After the informational presentation, students interested in auditioning for Southwood may complete an audition form indicating their first and second choices for art majors.   These forms will allow students to set up a Southwood audition time which will occur at their school during the school day. Students can audition in up to 2 areas, but will have to select their first choice if chosen for both. Once all of the auditions have been judged, an audition score will be assigned based on an audition rubric, and students will be ranked according to that score. 

If a student expressing interest in attending Southwood is presently a 6th or 7th grader at another school,  they are eligible to attend an "open audition" session at Southwood Academy each November. 

1. What are the choices of art majors from which a student may select? 

Visual Art, Dance, Band, Orchestra, Drama, and Chorus. 

1. What are the audition criteria?

   • Band: Complete a rhythm and pitch aptitude test (no prior experience required)

     • 6th and 7th grade will need to perform a piece from their current method book.

   • Chorus: Sing the first verse of My Country Tis’ of Thee a cappella 

   • Dance: Learn and perform a short dance taught by our dance teachers (please wear loose fitting clothes)

   • Drama: Select and perform a monologue of your choice (monologues will be provided at the audition or students may bring their own) 

   • Orchestra: Complete a rhythm and pitch aptitude test (no prior experience required)

   • Visual Art: Complete an art session with our faculty in which students replicate a contoured 3-D subject.

2. When and where will auditions occur? All auditions will occur at the student's current school. The auditions will be scheduled in October and November during the student's related arts time.  For those fifth graders who miss the scheduled auditions at their respective schools, "open auditions" will be held at Southwood Academy both in November. Please see the calendar for specific dates. The "open auditions" are also available to present middle school expressing interest in attending Southwood Academy.

3. Will students perform in front of an audience? Yes, students perform in class and outside of school on a regular basis.

4. Are students able to take declare two art majors? No, students must choose only one art major.

5. When will I know if my child was accepted to Southwood Academy? Parents of auditioning students will be notified by mail each year by January 30. 

6. How many students are accepted each year? 150 students are accepted each year in 6th grade. For present 6th and 7th grade students, acceptance will be based on available seats in the art major of interest. 

7. What are students' chances of being accepted? Southwood Academy auditions about 500 students each year and accepts 150 for the incoming sixth grade class. (30% acceptance rate)

8. What academic classes are offered? Grade level, accelerated, and GT classes in math and ELA are offered to all students at Southwood Academy based on academic ability levels. Students may take grade level or GT classes in science. 

9. Are students provided opportunities to earn high school credits during the 8th grade year? Eighth grade students may earn high school credits in Algebra 1, English 1, and their art major if they qualify to take the courses. 

10. Are there scheduled times for parents and students to visit the school? An open house is scheduled during the month of March for tours and meeting teachers.

11. Does Southwood Academy have high standards for academic success? Southwood Academy has very high expectations for all students, and the teachers work diligently to assure their success. Students perform extremely well on state standardized testing, and Southwood Academy is ranked 11th out of 340 middle schools across the state. 

12. What is the student to teacher ratio at Southwood Academy? The classes at Southwood generally have an average of 26 students per class; however, this number will vary depending on the type of class and the number of students entering a particular art major.

13. What time does school start and end? The school day at Southwood begins at 8:00am and dismisses at 3:20pm. Parents may begin dropping students off as early as 7:30am, and all students must be picked up before 4:00pm.

14. Does District 5 provide transportation to and from Southwood Academy? School buses will transport students to the high schools where they will transition to a shuttle bus to travel to Southwood. In the afternoon, school buses will transport students to the high schools where they will transition to a shuttle bus to travel home. Student pick-up and drop-off is not allowed at TL Hanna or Westside.

15. What is the daily schedule for Southwood students? Students will have 90 minute classes in ELA, Math, and their art major with breaks during the block. Science and social studies have 45 minutes for each class.

16. What is a magnet school for the arts? Students take extended arts classes for electives, and the academic classes integrate the various art areas into instruction. Instead of having a school zone, Southwood Academy recruits students from all of the elementary schools in Anderson School District 5.

17. Do certain criteria have to be met in order to remain at Southwood Academy? Students must maintain a minimum C average, have good behavior, and have good attendance to remain at Southwood. If students do not follow the outlined criteria, they may be placed on contract or asked to return to their respective school.

18. Are sports offered at Southwood Academy? Southwood does not offer sports on campus; however, students may play sports at their zoned school once they enter the 7th grade. Bus transportation is available to transport students to their zoned school to participate in after school sports.