Applications for SOTA, the School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High, close Nov. 30. Spotlight Night is Nov. 9 and auditions are Jan. 4. Who can apply and how.
Students who want a place at SOTA, the School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School, have until Monday, Nov. 30, to apply for the 2027-28 school year.
The school is on West Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. It takes students from across Gwinnett County Public Schools, not only from the Central Gwinnett attendance zone. The district announced the application window in an Oct. 7 release.
Families who want to see the school first can go to SOTA Spotlight Night, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the school’s Main Stage Theatre. The district said the evening includes student performances, school tours, a chance to meet teachers, and tips on auditions.
Two ways in
SOTA runs two programs, according to the district and the school’s application page.
The Conservatory is the audition-based program. It uses a different daily schedule that gives students more of the day in arts classes, internships and work experience, the school says on its Conservatory overview. There are five areas:
- Art and Design
- Dance
- Music Technology and Audio Production
- Theater
- Voice
The Conservatory is open to current eighth graders across the district. Rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders may also apply, but the school says places depend on availability and vary by area.
The Fellows program is for artistically talented students in rising grades 9 through 12. There is no audition. The district said Fellows applicants must be eligible for a permissive transfer, the district’s process for attending a school outside your zone.
What each audition asks for
The school lists these requirements on its application page:
| Area | What students do |
|---|---|
| Art and Design | Portfolio of six works, then a live drawing and composition audition |
| Dance | Ballet, modern and jazz technique class, short interview, 45-second to one-minute solo |
| Music Technology | Digital portfolio of one to three pieces or an instrument performance, interview, group rhythm activity |
| Theater | Memorized monologue plus a 32-bar musical theater song or a contrasting monologue, interview, group activity, written response |
| Voice | Solo, sight-singing, scales, interview |
Art and Design portfolios are dropped off in person at the red desk inside the SOTA entrance, 6:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. weekdays. The school says they are due by the first Friday back from Thanksgiving break.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Monday, Nov. 9 | SOTA Spotlight Night, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Main Stage Theatre |
| Monday, Nov. 30 | Applications close for both programs |
| First Friday back from Thanksgiving break | Art and Design portfolios due in person |
| Before winter break | Art and Design first-round results |
| Monday, Jan. 4, 2027 | Conservatory auditions |
| Mid-January 2027 | Acceptance notices |
| Early February 2027 | Enrollment begins for accepted students |
Who qualifies
The school says every applicant, in either program, must be in good standing on grades, attendance and discipline. On grades, that means:
- an 80 cumulative average
- no grade below 71
- on track to graduate on time
Acceptance depends on a review in June. The school also notes that students who transfer in for grades 10 to 12 cannot play GHSA varsity sports, including One-Act Play and the literary competition, until a year after they transfer.
What it means for you
- If your child is in eighth grade and dances, acts, sings, draws or makes music, the Conservatory application is due Nov. 30. Auditions follow on Jan. 4.
- Spotlight Night on Nov. 9 is the easiest way to see the building and ask teachers about auditions before you apply.
- Applications are made through the district’s online application portal. Read the SOTA application page first for the audition details in your child’s area.
- The school takes admissions questions at SOTA.Admissions@gcpsk12.org or 678-377-3960.
Our Central Gwinnett High School page has the school’s zone, report card and bell times, and our schools guide covers every public school serving Lawrenceville.
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