The High School for the Arts was founded in 1984 by Ariella Ze’evi as a four-year secondary school. At its establishment, the head of the association—then called The Association for the Advancement of Arts Education—was Mr. Gideon Levin.

The school’s first home was at the community center in the Musrara neighborhood. In its founding year, the school had about 90 students and offered three arts programs. The school remained in Musrara for about three years, during which it contributed greatly to the neighborhood and its community life, playing an active role in shaping the local social fabric.

Over the years, the school grew significantly, and the community center could no longer accommodate the increasing number of students. The municipality, together with the Jerusalem Foundation and the school, began a joint effort to find a new home.

For the next four years, the school was located on Narkis Street. Eventually, the municipality and the Jerusalem Foundation designated the school’s permanent home in its current building at Liberty Bell Park. Charles A. Smith, through the Jerusalem Foundation, made a generous contribution to adapt the building to the needs of the High School for the Arts. Since moving to its permanent home, the school has been named The Charles A. Smith High School for the Arts.

Ariella Ze’evi, whose vision and initiative first brought the school to life, served as principal until 1998. Under her leadership, the school had already established a unique place among Jerusalem’s high schools throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Two additional arts tracks were added to the existing programs, and the school began offering five disciplines: Theater, Dance, Visual Arts, Film, and Music. At that time, when arts programs were still uncommon in secondary schools, the High School for the Arts provided an important response to the city’s growing student population.

In 1995, the administration and the association decided to open a middle school division. With the addition of 7th and 8th grade students, the institution became a six-year school.

From 1998 to 2006, the school was led by Dani Bar Giora, who continued to advance the institution to meet the educational needs and goals of the early 21st century.

During Bar Giora’s tenure, the school placed a strong emphasis on social engagement and developed into an inclusive institution. A comprehensive support system was established, offering individualized programs tailored to each student’s skills and abilities.

At the same time, the school continued to nurture students’ sense of capability and positive self-image. It also remained committed to instilling national, democratic, and humanistic values.

Throughout its existence, the school has maintained a warm and welcoming atmosphere—first and foremost among the students, as well as between the students and the teaching staff. For these efforts, Bar Giora was awarded the Jerusalem Education Prize by MANHI in 2004.

In 2005, Dr. Ilan Shuval became the school principal. He led the school’s pedagogical management and, throughout his tenure, emphasized the advancement and integration of academic studies. Under his leadership, the school developed and expanded a rich and diverse curriculum, complementing the rigorous training offered in the arts majors.

From 2006 to 2014, the school was led by Anat Gur. Having headed the school’s student support system for many years, she brought to her role as principal her extensive professional experience in working with children with special needs and in promoting their full inclusion within the regular school community.

In recent years, demand for the school has continued to grow across all age groups. Today, the High School for the Arts has approximately 620 students and about 140 staff members.

Since 2014, the school has been led by Tomer Blitiy-Dagan, who has dedicated his career to teaching at the High School and previously headed the upper division.