Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 280 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,500
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Idyllwild Arts Academy
About the School
- An acclaimed international boarding arts high school in Southern California, where students (grades 9-12 & postgraduate) gain tools to leverage their own imagination to change themselves and the world around them. Idyllwild Arts Academy offers intensive, specialized arts training and challenging college-prep academics to talented young artists from around the world. On our idyllic mountaintop campus, students learn from a distinguished faculty of working professional artists.Graduates of Idyllwild Arts excel in every professional arts discipline, including Broadway theatre, primetime television, classical and jazz music, motion pictures, graphic design, dance, and more. Our arts majors include: MUSIC | VISUAL ARTS | THEATRE | CREATIVE WRITING | DANCE | FASHION DESIGN | FILM & DIGITAL MEDIA | INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS Outside of our regular school year, Idyllwild Arts offers summer workshops that include Jazz in the Pines, ESL, Native American Arts, and a full menu of Arts Intensives.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 280 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,500
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Idyllwild Arts Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 271 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
School Overview
2026 School Data
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1986
1906
Campus Size
205 acres
130 acres
School Motto
Changing lives through the transformative power of art.
Student Body
Enrollment
280 students
319 students
% Students of Color
27%
27%
% International Students
50%
21%
% Students Boarding
90%
65%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
90%
73%
Summer Program Details
Accreditations
Arts Schools Network (NETWORK of Performing and Visual Arts Schools) (ASN)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS-CA)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS-CA)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA)
Courses
Advanced Honors BiologyHonors Acting Seminar (Theatre Majors)
Honors American LiteratureHonors Calculus
Honors Calculus IIHonors Chemistry
Honors Classics in Western LiteratureHonors Counterpoint (Music Majors)
Honors FrenchHonors Gov & Econ
Honors History of Western CivHonors Literature of Western Thought
Honors PhysicsHonors Pre-Calculus
Honors SpanishHonors Technical Theatre Seminar (Theatre Majors)
Honors U.S. History
Tuition & Financial Aid
Endowment Size
$7 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$77,500
(California Residents: $68,9002025-26 Academic Year. Does not include fees.)
(California Residents: $68,9002025-26 Academic Year. Does not include fees.)
$71,500
Tuition international students
$79,500
$58,650
% Students on Financial Aid
60%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$30,000
(Based on merit and/or need.)
(Based on merit and/or need.)
$25,000
Request Information
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
65%
64%
Director of Admissions
Tara Sechrest
Associate Director of Admissions
Megan Berg
Application URL
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
13
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Activism ClubAsian Culture Club
Gay Straight AllianceIndigenous Peoples Club
School MagazineSoccer Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Arts Enterprise LabArts in Society
College Matriculation
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Juilliard
16
USC
16
NYU (Tisch)
10
University of Michigan
10
San Francisco Art Institute
8
Curtis Institute
6
Rhode Island School of Design
6
Eastman
5
Emerson
3
Stanford
3
School Notes
- Idyllwild Arts Academy sits a refreshing mile above sea level in the San Jacinto Mountains, two hours from Los Angeles and San Diego and an hour from Palm Springs.
- Graduates go on to Juilliard, Brown, University of the Arts London, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Parsons School of Design, USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Berklee College of Music, CalArts, Rhode Island School of Design, NYU, Tufts, Swarthmore, and other outstanding colleges.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Shepard Fairey - Graphic Artist and Designer
- Neal Beasley - Princess Grace Award Winner - Modern Dance, Trisha Brown Dance Company
- Orpheo McChord - Percussionist, Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
- Casey Abrams - American Idol 2011 Finalist
- Trevor Hall - Recording Artist
- Marin Ireland - Tony Award Nominated Actress
- Elora Hardy - Founder of IBUKU in Bali, Indonesia
- Cristy Candler - Broadway Musical Theater Actress
- Vesselin Gelev - Associate Concertmaster - London Philharmonic
- Liang Wang - Principal Oboe - New York Philharmonic
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Idyllwild Arts Academy cost?
Idyllwild Arts Academy's tuition is approximately $77,500 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Idyllwild Arts Academy?
The acceptance rate of Idyllwild Arts Academy is 65%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Idyllwild Arts Academy?
Idyllwild Arts Academy famous alumni include: Shepard Fairey, Neal Beasley, Orpheo McChord, Casey Abrams, Trevor Hall, Marin Ireland, Elora Hardy, Cristy Candler, Vesselin Gelev and Liang Wang.
What sports does Idyllwild Arts Academy offer?
Idyllwild Arts Academy offers 2 interscholastic sports: Ballet and Dance.
Does Idyllwild Arts Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Idyllwild Arts Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Idyllwild Arts Academy's ranking?
Idyllwild Arts Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of international students and High percent faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for Idyllwild Arts Academy?
The application deadline for Idyllwild Arts Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Student & Alumni Reviews
Review
Description
Idyllwild Arts Academy's focus on the arts is well-known. Intensive training in a variety of artistic disciplines, such as dance, music, theater, visual arts, and creative writing, is integrated into the curriculum. Along with intensive. . .
Comprehensive Arts Education: Idyllwild Arts Academy's dedication to providing a comprehensive arts education is one of its standout features. The academy offers a wide variety of artistic disciplines, including music, dance, visual arts, drama, film. . .
The academy lays a lot of emphasis on encouraging its students' creativity, focus, and artistic expression. A strong academic program is combined with a demanding arts curriculum to give children a well-rounded education. Students are. . .
Show more reviews (20 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 280 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,500
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
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