Stepping through the doorway at Tacoma School of the Arts is like watching “FAME — The Musical.” Students arrive in eclectic garb that ranges from traditional teen to outlandish punk, runway model to starving artist. As they breeze past murals and photographs in the hallway, they talk about everything from a piece they may be working on to the boy or girl of current interest.

Set up more like a college, SOTA students could be in any of the school's three downtown buildings at any given time. The students walk around the streets of downtown Tacoma during breaks and lunchtime. Whether stopping for coffee or grabbing a sandwich, students are expected to handle any food needs on their own; there is no school cafeteria.



They have 20 minutes between each class. For some that means hopping on a Pierce Transit bus to go to another building. Others have time to catch up with friends before heading off to the next period.

Emi Geye, 17, has found the freedom that comes from attending a high school that is more like a college quite invigorating. Growing up as a product of a regimented military life, Geye said she enjoys having the ability to take ownership of her education. The DuPont resident attended Steilacoom High School her freshman year, but she started looking at an art school in California for the remainder of her secondary education. Her father's deployment to Iraq stymied that plan, and Tacoma School of the Arts became the next best alternative.

"I felt very limited at Steilacoom High School. I had already planned out what classes I would take," she said. "Here you have choice and ownership. I am so glad I don't go to a normal high school where there is so much bureaucracy.

"Here I have the opportunity to not be squished into a room or prodded through the hallways. That being said, this is much more demanding. I am learning so much and feel I am much better prepared for college seminar and humanities classes," she added.

Paul Kelly, co-director of the school, said students have to fulfill the same high school requirements as traditional students. Students also must take the WASL and complete the same culminating project.

"I think the one thing that really sets us apart from other high schools is that we don't have any new students come in. Students start in tenth grade and stay for the entire three years," he said. "This creates a small school where staff and students really get to know each other and teachers are able to cater to the needs of students."

Along with all of those regular requirements, a slew of art-based electives are offered. Traditional classes — such as English, math and science — are also infused with elements of art. About 300 students apply annually, and about 160 are accepted. Of those, 40 are special needs and have Individualized Education Programs. Many of those students have never attended mainstream classes. At SOTA, they are not separated but attend classes with the general population.

Students are also expected to become imbedded in the community through Mentor Project Groups. Each student has the same advisor for all three years. The small groups may be performing community service projects or organizing events for the school.

Students who want to participate in school sports must do so through their home school. Geye, for instance, swims for Steilacoom High School.

Perhaps the only drawback Geye sees by attending SOTA is the lack of support for children of deployed parents. Her father, Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Geye, recently returned from a deployment to Iraq.

"I don't hold it against the school at all," she said. "I am one of three children of active duty Army parents at the school. Deployment is just not something they understand or have to deal with. They don't understand that after Sept. 11 that my dad was only home six months in five years. They don't understand why I don't watch the news."

Geye said students who are very conservative would have a difficult time attending SOTA.

"It would be hard for students that maintain conservative views. SOTA is very liberal and makes you question things like the war in Iraq. But I think that this is good training for real life," she said.

Despite the lack of understanding about military life, SOTA has been the perfect augmentation for Geye's educational career. While her focus here in high school has been creative writing, Geye intends to go to medical school. Writing will always be a part of her, she said, but she wants to explore her passion for developmental pediatrics. Ideally, she would like to attend medical school and work at either Madigan Army Medical Center or University of Washington Medical Center. Both medical centers are said to be at the forefront of research pertaining to children with autism.

Tacoma School of the Arts

• location: downtown Tacoma (three buildings)


• admission type: competitive application (80 percent Tacoma School District, 20 percent surrounding school districts)


• grades: 10th, 11th and 12th-grade public high school


• overview: traditional high school subject offerings with focus on the arts to include drama, visual arts, dance, music, photography, cinematography, etc.


• transportation: students are given a Pierce Transit bus pass each month for transportation


• contact: http://www0.tacoma.k12.wa.us/schools/hs/sota/