The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts has opened the application process for the Classes of 2027 and 2028, and the school will offer a new music-focused pathway in Fall 2025.
The Music Program of Distinction (POD) will build on ASMSA’s existing music curriculum to offer a focused experience for students’ talents. It will allow students with a deep passion for music to explore fundamental principles while also focusing on studio time, private lessons and performances that reflect their own personal interests. Music POD students would spend approximately half their time and coursework on music-related activities.
The creation of the Music POD comes a year after ASMSA’s Wind Ensemble and choir earned top honors in Class 3A state competitions as well as the String Ensemble earning state honors for the first time in its history. It also follows the school’s introduction of the Visual Arts and Design Program of Distinction (POD) in 2022. The Art POD provides students with opportunities to take immersive courses in 2D, 3D and other traditional arts topics. The Music POD will follow a similar track for music courses.
“Our experienced and highly credentialed faculty coupled with a well-trained and innovative Student Life staff provide the resources and support needed to prepare all students for success,” said Jason Hudnell, director of admissions. “The expansion of the arts to include our new Music POD that complements our commitment to STEM education opens even more opportunities for students to thrive in our community of learning."
ASMSA is a public residential high school serving academically and artistically motivated students of all backgrounds from throughout the state of Arkansas. More than 250 students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades attend classes and live on the Hot Springs campus in a community of learning unlike any other in the state.
The school was recently named the top public high school in Arkansas for the third straight year and No. 31 in the nation by Niche.com, a website that provides in-depth profiles on thousands of colleges, school districts and individual K-12 schools across the nation. ASMSA was also named the best public high school for college prep as well as STEM education in the state.
For students interested in STEM subjects or other humanities topics, ASMSA offers a broad range of courses that are all taught at the college level, including 70 courses for college credit. Most students earn an average of 50 hours of college credit by the time they graduate with all students, including those in the Art and Music PODs, earning at least 30 hours — or a full year of credit. Housing, meals and books are provided to all students at no cost with support from the state.
“ASMSA empowers families of high-achieving as well as aspirational and motivated students all across Arkansas to choose a high school that best meets the needs of their students no matter their ZIP code or socioeconomic status," Hudnell said.
Students apply to ASMSA through a competitive admissions process that evaluates high school coursework, ACT/SAT scores, responses to essay questions, recommendation forms and other accomplishments. Finalist candidates are invited to attend Interview Weekends in April. The process is similar to application to selective colleges and universities.
The rigorous applications process assists ASMSA in identifying for admission well-rounded young Arkansans who possess a strong sense of character, actively contribute to their communities and seek out the most challenging coursework available to them. Students must submit their completed application no later than March 1, 2025. To learn more about ASMSA’s application process and the requirements for admission, visit asmsa.org/admissions, email admissions@asmsa.org or call/text 501.622.5235.