Overview / General Questions
Exciting New Changes! Academies of Math & Science – Mesa (AMS-Mesa) will open on our campus coming in Fall 2026. Visit our Announcement Page to learn more.
Here we answer the basics about our school and what we offer to our students.
Yes. We offer full day Kindergarten through eight grade. We do not offer high school classes.
Mesa Arts Academy is located in the heart of Downtown Mesa. The school is tucked away in between Country Club and Center and 8th Ave and Broadway.
We are within walking distance of the Mesa Arts Center. We take field trips to the MAC for shows and plays throughout the school year. We also perform there! We’ve done Jungle Book, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. The MAC is a world class venue that our kids and families really enjoy.
Downtown Mesa is amidst a major revitalization. The light rail makes it easier for people to get downtown and explore its shops, cafes, and art galleries. Downtown Mesa hosts family friendly outdoor concerts, parades, festivals, and special events. ASU has a new campus in Downtown Mesa, joining Benedictine College which began in 2013.
Mesa Arts Academy is a tuition-free public charter school.
There is no cost to attend our school or participate in any programs. All supplies are provided to students. There might be a requirement like- black pants or uniform pants for a performance night. If the family cannot provide, the school can help out.
- Musical Instruments
Dance Shoes / Costumes - Art Supplies
- Free Breakfast and Lunch
We are a Title 1 School, so we help students whenever there is a need. Need a backpack? School supplies? We will provide them for you.
We also have a close relationship with the Mesa Police Department. MPD sponsors a couple events each year. MPD officers like to show up at our Boys & Girls Club and hang out with our Club Kids, play basketball, and ultimately serve as good role models. Our School’s Community Officer works closely with MPD to keep our campus safe for everyone.
The school opens at 7:00 AM for breakfast. Instructional Assistants (or Academic Aid) are there with students with breakfast, supervise recess.… Classes start at 7:30 and ends at 3:30 PM every day, but Wednesday. On Wednesday, we have early release at 1:15PM.
- K-2 - Teacher or Academic Aid walks them (5 minutes before school is out) and checks the little ones into BGC
- 3-8 - Hold their club kids, once others leave, they walk their kids. All on the same campus.
- BGC on campus… work very closely. The Club has a lot of sports (after sports activities).
- Dance teacher does after school cheerleading. Both MAA and BGCAZ kids can join.
- After-school percussion and flag team 4th grade and up. (Only school at this age. “Winter Ensemble” competes with other middle schools.) When they compete, the 4th graders are up against 5, 7, 8 graders.. And they WIN!!!
- Club closes at 7pm. Breakfast at school, lunch at school, dinner at the club.
- Teachers can work closely with BGC staff to help with tutoring support. “Power Hour” is really productive. Strong connection. Keep grades up and work done! Very family oriented. Teachers get to know students well, club staff needs to know kids well.
We do not offer bussing at this time.
Students in K-5 wear uniforms. Students in grades 6-8 have a separate dress code.
- K-5 uniforms:
- Bottoms: khaki, black, navy blue (pants or skirts or Dresses)
- Tops: white, light blue, and navy blue polo shirts (unless it’s a dress.)
- 6-8 Dress Code:
- Straps 4-fingers wide (tank tops)
- Shirt is mid-thigh length, if tight pants.
- Skirts, Shorts are mid-thigh
- No holes
- No undergarments shown.
- School Appropriate - No profanity, derogatory language
- Closed-toed shoes (for safety)
Our charter is overseen by the Arizona Charter School Board.
The school opens at 7:00 AM and breakfast is available. School begins at 7:30.
Food allergies are accommodated when the appropriate form is completed and signed by the child’s doctor. Please contact Jazmyne Tovar for the form.
We do, breakfast and lunch. Both breakfast and lunch are free for all students. In fact, 80% students enjoy breakfast and lunch.
Dinner is offered at our Grant Woods Boys & Girls Club. The club closes at 7:00 pm.
- Our charter requires all Academic Teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree and then certified by the Arizona Department of Education with an “Arizona Elementary Certificate.”
- Every classroom has a certified teacher and a qualified instruction expert, often called Qualified Paraprofessionals. This means we have two adults in each classroom; 2 instructors per 28 students.
- 6 of our teachers have master’s degrees.
Yes. Our art teachers are professionals in the field. We train them to be teachers. For example, our music teachers are professional musicians. Our painting and drawing instructors are working artists. We believe that this model brings a high caliber of talent and creativity to our arts program.
All teachers are background checked and given random drug testing. Everyone who works at the school has a finger-print clearance card with IVP through the Department of Public Safety.
Yes! We partner with Mesa Community College (MCC) The college sends students to volunteer in our classrooms. These students are aspiring teachers, and they come and observe our classrooms as a part of their coursework at MCC. Occasionally one of these students will teach a class with support from the MAA teacher.
Mesa Arts Academy has received an A Rating, from the Arizona Department of Education. This is the highest rating that the Arizona Department of Education gives out.