The idea for the Academy of Arts & Academics got its start in the spring of 2004 when superintendent Nancy Golden brought together teachers, administrators, and community members to envision a new, arts-centered, small school to address one of the communities goals as laid out in the Springfield Quality Education Model to make available specifically focused academies to address the wide variety of students in Springfield.

Together, the team applied for a start up grant from the Oregon Small Schools Initiative, funded by E3, Employers for Educational Excellence. In September of 2004, Springfield was awarded a four-year, $312,000, grant to begin A3.

In the succeeding two years a development team of Michael Fisher, Nissie Ellision, Mark Lewis, Carolyn Hatefi, Wes Flinn, Jason Valley, and Aaron Molyneux has been on visitations, researched best practices, designed curriculum, and recruited students.