Idyllwild Arts Academy

Imagine a high school that has perfected the art of arts education. It’s Idyllwild Arts Academy, a close-knit, working community of students and teachers whose passion for the arts is balanced by a dedication to learning. Idyllwild offers a disciplined college preparatory program for grades 9-12 and post-graduates—along with world-class training in creative writing, dance, film & video, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.

Size of the campus 250 acres. Located on the western slopes of California’s San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild’s campus is naturally beautiful, complete with alpine forests, mountains, and meadows. Remote from urban distractions, it is still just 2.5 hours by car from Los Angeles or San Diego. Visitors can take advantage of Idyllwild’s broad choice of recreational activities on-campus, or by visiting the nearby town of Idyllwild, with its restaurants, specialty shops, and art galleries.

Superb college preparatory education combined with a foundation for a life in the arts. Welcome to Idyllwild Arts Academy.

Academic and Sport Facilities

The Academy operates on a 15 week semester system. Although most academic courses are year-long, individual departments do offer semester courses for those whose programs permit. The daily schedule consists of morning academic classes and afternoon arts classes. A typical day begins with breakfast from 7:15 to 8:00, followed by academics until 1:00, then lunch followed by arts classes until 6:30. Dinner from 6:00 to 7:00 is followed by rehearsals or performances from 7:00 to 10:00 and study/quiet hours from 8:50 to 10:00. Students must be in their dorms by 10:00 with lights out by 10:30. Students live in spacious rooms with individual private bathrooms and access to high speed internet and personal telephone lines.

Academic admission requirements: All applicants must submit an application along with a completed audition/portfolio for the arts program of their choice. Foreign students are requires to submit TOEFL or SLEP English score. The school offers ESL (English as Secondary Language) for students who are talented but have weaker English ability.

Extracurricular Activities: On weekends, students often go into the village of Idyllwild. A popular tourist attraction, Idyllwild offers a variety of restaurants, specialty shops, antique stores, and art galleries, as well as a movie theatre. Weekend trips to Los Angeles, San Diego or Palm Springs for shopping, museums, plays, opera, concerts, or to visit theme parks such as Universal Studios or Disneyland, afford students an opportunity to get off "the hill" once in a while. The Academy's mountain location offers students a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, rock climbing and cross-country skiing.

Idyllwild is nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains. Set among tall pines, sweet smelling cedars and legendary rocks. The town has kept its "small town" atmosphere. Locally owned shops and restaurants are all you will find here. Idyllwild has perfect day hikes for the quick weekend hike, as well as the high country for the longer "over night" hiking journeys. Rock Climbing is another favorite past time in which to enjoy Idyllwild. With many boulders and the legendary Tahquitz and Suicide Rocks, Idyllwild attracts beginners as well as seasoned professionals.

Sport facilities at your campus: Tennis court, swimming pool, basketball court.

Location

2 Hours Southeast of Los Angeles. Area population 3,874. Town website: www.idyllwild.com

Dates

Estimated Start Date: Mid September

Estimated End Date: June

Religious Affiliation:

None
 

Foreign Languages:

French
Spanish
 

Arts:

Creative Writing, Dance, Interdisciplinary Arts, Moving Pictures, Music, Theater, Visual Arts

Extracurricular Activities & Clubs:

Calculus
Cross Country Skiing
Hiking
Judicial Committee
Literary Magazine
Rock Climbing
Student Government
Student Newspaper
Tour Guides
Yearbook

SAT Average:

1690

University Acceptance Rate:

100%

Partial List of College and University Acceptances:

• The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Art Institute of Chicago, Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Fashion Institute of Technology, George Washington University, Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts, Manhattan School of Music, Middlebury College, New England Conservatory, New York University, Rhode Island School of Design, San Francisco Art Institute, The Julliard School, Trinity College, University of the Arts, London, UC Santa Barbara

Closest International and Local Airports:

Palm Springs International Airport, CA