Boarding School Review - Established 2003
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo
Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Best Arts Boarding Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 pre-professional arts boarding schools serving 1,229 students located within the United States.
While college-prep boarding schools generally have excellent arts programs, the schools below specialize further in helping students train and become artists in a variety of fields such as music, visual arts, theatre, ballet, and creative writing.
Students are prepared for entrance into either traditional colleges or specialty schools like music conservatories (e.g., Juilliard).

Top Arts Boarding Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Besant Hill School
Besant Hill School Photo - Besant Hill School is located in the Ojai Valley, on 500 acres of private land with beautiful vistas in every direction. Facilities include four dormitories, outdoor sports facilities including a new aquatic center, indoor theater, atelier, and classrooms nestled along winding paths and oak trees. We also have an eight acre organic farm.
(1)
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
Gr: 9-12, PG | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Avg. class size: 8 students Acceptance rate: 50% Tuition listed
Idyllwild Arts Academy
Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - Idyllwild Arts Academy is home to 280 students from over 30 countries and 27 US states, all devoted to intensive study of the arts. Named #1 High School for Arts in the nation by Niche in 2025.
(23)
52500 Temecula Road
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 659-2171
Gr: 9-12, PG | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 65% Tuition listed
Interlochen Arts Academy
Interlochen Arts Academy Photo - Music students study in the state-of-the-art Music Center, which features two large ensemble rehearsal halls, nine ensemble rooms, 25 teaching studios, a recording studio, and more.
(2)
4000 J Maddy Pkwy
Interlochen, MI 49643
(231) 276-7472
Gr: 9-12, PG | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Walnut Hill School for the Arts Photo
(3)
12 Highland Street
Natick, MA 01760
(508) 650-5020
Gr: 9-12, PG | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 54% Tuition listed

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