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 (2026)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 280 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,900
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,000
- 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 307 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
School Overview
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1986
1909
Campus Size
205 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
280 students
300 students
% Students of Color
20%
25%
% International Students
50%
20%
% Students Boarding
90%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
90%
70%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$7 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$75,900
(California Residents: $65,600 2024-25 Academic Year. Does not include fees. )
(California Residents: $65,600 2024-25 Academic Year. Does not include fees. )
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$34,000
(Does not include fees. )
(Does not include fees. )
$33,500
Tuition international students
$78,700
$53,975
% 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
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
65%
58%
Director of Admissions
Tara Sechrest
Associate Director of Admissions
Megan Berg
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
17
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
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
6
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
6
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
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.
- Idyllwild Arts Academy accreditations: WASC, Western Boarding School Association (WBSA), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), NETWORK of Performing and Visual Art Schools, Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB), California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Counci
- 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
- School Motto: Changing lives through the transformative power of art.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Idyllwild Arts Academy cost?
Idyllwild Arts Academy's tuition is approximately $75,900 for boarding students and $34,000 for day 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 58%.
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 6 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Climbing, Dance, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing and Tennis.
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).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
IAA was a unique institution because it fostered a learning environment centered around the arts. The small faculty-to-student ratio allowed students to connect with professors and be supported in all aspects of their learning. Keeping. . .
Living in the incredible town of Idyllwild is a really incredible setting for any aspiring artists around the high school age. It was inspiring to be living in nature while also being close enough to. . .
Idyllwild Arts has an incredibly unique community of faculty and students. Since the campus and the town of Idyllwild is so isolated, those who live there become very close to each other.. . .
Show more reviews (15 reviews)
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