The High School Academic Program grants the North Carolina School of the Arts diploma with concentrations in Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts to students who successfully complete all requirements for their arts program and sufficient college preparatory-level academic courses to meet graduation requirements. 

Each term, students will normally have two two-hour studio art classes every day, which will include drawing, fundamentals of design and color, sculpture, and three-dimensional design. Classes will stress individual development and critique to encourage analysis and self-evaluation.

Daily studio art classes will continue on an advanced level. Students also are required to take Art History. Although structure and technique are addressed, greater emphasis is placed on the interpretive style of each individual and the development of a portfolio.