Idyllwild Arts Academy

As one of the top three art high schools in the United States, Idyllwild has a very strong academic atmosphere, with pianos and other instruments found in every imaginable and unimaginable place, allowing students to create anytime, anywhere, and stimulating artistic inspiration.

Idyllwild Arts Academy laid a solid artistic and academic foundation for me, and it was an extremely important experience in my life. Here, I not only received high-level professional training but also learned how to think independently, express myself, and collaborate in a creative and inclusive environment. The school's teachers were highly experienced and passionate; they gave me ample freedom to explore my artistic direction while also setting strict requirements to help me build a strong fundamental skill set. It was precisely my learning and growth at Idyllwild that enabled me to successfully pursue higher education at university and become a current Ph.D. student. Looking back now, that time not only shaped my core qualities as a musician but also influenced how I face life and challenges. I sincerely thank this unique place!

The school offers a rich curriculum, and teachers are friendly and professional, supporting students' multi-faceted development and providing many resources. The cafeteria could improve by offering more independent spaces for students.

My daughter enrolled in Idyllwild Arts Academy, majoring in music, in 2022. It has been 7 months now. I have observed significant changes in her in the following aspects: 1. Time Management: She is now very good at managing her daily schedule, including consistent daily physical exercise. Practicing piano and reading extracurricular books are all well-organized within her time management. 2. Independence: In addition to a great improvement in handling daily life details independently, the most important change is a noticeable enhancement in her independent thinking ability. She has her own opinions on many matters and trusts her own feelings. 3. Teacher-Student Relationship: The relationship between my daughter and her teachers is no longer like the old days, where meeting meant keeping her head down, as if being right was still wrong. She told me she often spends several hours sunbathing and chatting with her teachers. Furthermore, the school-assigned counselor also frequently communicates with us via email, introducing us to her recent changes and situations. 4. Interest in Other Subjects: My daughter now has a strong interest in many other fields and often reads books, even medical and philosophical ones. A few days ago, she even wanted to initiate and organize a cooking and baking club at school. I believe this benefits from several factors: first, the learning environment is relaxed and not stressful; second, the school's classes are mostly inspiring and guiding in their teaching methods. 5. Many of her physical allergy symptoms: When she was in Beijing, she suffered from allergic rhinitis and skin problems. After arriving at the school, she said she has never experienced similar symptoms again. In summary, my child's learning and living experience at Idyllwild is very safe, and she is able to grow physically and mentally healthy.