Boarding School Review - Established 2003
Idyllwild Arts Academy Photo - Krone Library is home to countless resources and study spaces for IAA students as well as the College Counseling Office. Our College Counseling staff work with our students throughout their time at the Academy, helping them prepare for the next step in their artistic journey.
Idyllwild Arts Academy

Best Arts Boarding Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 pre-professional arts boarding schools serving 1,231 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 310 students from 35 countries and 26 US states, all devoted to intensive study of the arts. Located 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2 hours from San Diego, and 1 hour from Palm Springs, the Academy is an artistic crossroads for Southern California.
(18)
52500 Temecula Road
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 468-7223
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.
4000 J Maddy Pkwy
Interlochen, MI 49643
(231) 276-7472
Gr: 9-12, PG | 567 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 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 16 students Acceptance rate: 47% Tuition listed

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