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.

I am currently a student at Idyllwild Arts Academy, where I have the tremendous honor of pursuing my artistic goals and learning everything there is to know not only about what I plan for the future, music, but also all other aspects of the big wide world, and the wonderful world of art. Art is my everything, and so the decision to move to the mystical mountain ranges and study at Idyllwild was an easy one to make. All students at Idyllwild are highly focused and ambitious individuals, pursuing the pinnacle of their artistry. If your goal is to pursue art not just as a hobby, but as something more, then I recommend you, at least, take a look at what Idyllwild has to offer. - Xuan Tung Bin, Idyllwild Arts Academy major in Songwriting and Popular Music Production, expecting to graduate in 2024.

Before enrolling at Idyllwild Arts, I was extremely passionate about art. Since I was little, I've asked my mom to let me take drawing and music lessons. It wasn't until I was a bit older that I finally decided to tell my parents I wanted to pursue acting. Of course, my parents in Vietnam didn't know much about art, so I had to find a school, apply, and secure a scholarship all by myself. After extensive research into various schools, I found Idyllwild Arts to be the perfect choice. It's a high school with students from all over the world, and most notably, the campus is incredibly beautiful, located in the mountains, where watching the sunset is pure bliss. But most importantly, the school diligently teaches everything to ensure I have enough knowledge to enter university. - Dung Nguyen Duc Chu, Idyllwild Arts Academy 2021 graduate from Theatre Department.

1. The only boarding arts high school on the US West Coast, and one of only three boarding arts high schools in the entire US.
2. The campus spans 205 acres, nestled in a serene, picturesque town, recognized as one of the most beautiful towns in the US in the last 100 years. It's an ideal place to cultivate character and pursue the highest peaks of art, located two hours' drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, and very close to the famous Palm Springs.
3. The school boasts comprehensive art facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, private rehearsal studios, and spacious, comfortable dormitories.
4. The curriculum extends beyond traditional art courses, offering in-depth studies in art creation, dance, film and video production, music, theater, and visual arts. The art teachers are experienced professionals who help students build a solid foundation, paving a smooth path for their future artistic journey.
5. In addition to challenging art courses, the school also provides a rich academic curriculum, offering over 18 honor courses.
6. 100% college acceptance rate, with many graduates admitted to prestigious art academies, and several renowned artists among its alumni.
7. A very high proportion of senior teachers.
8. The school offers small class sizes, and international students take ESL courses tailored to their proficiency level, enabling them to better integrate into American culture and life.
9. The local community features many artists who frequently hold exhibitions and other art events in galleries, and the school regularly hosts guest artists from around the world.
10. The school has medically certified professional doctors and full-time registered nurses available 24 hours a day to care for students' health.

Our son, Daniel, will graduate from the Idyllwild Fashion Department in May 2022, having been enrolled since 9th grade. Our entire family extends our deepest gratitude to Abbie and the Fashion Department for their many years of dedicated effort and unwavering support given to every student. Daniel has lived up to the trust placed in him by his teachers, creating a portfolio he is truly proud of. Throughout this process, he received continuous inspiration and guidance, and under the teachers' professional leadership, he was able to freely express himself while also learning professional techniques and procedures in fashion production. Regardless of which university Daniel attends, we will forever remember Idyllwild, Director Abbie, and all the teachers in the Fashion Department for their support and instruction. As parents, we believe that the greatest highlight of Idyllwild's Fashion Department is its focus on and care for each student's unique ideas and boundless creativity, providing immense support and assistance to every student. The entire 4-year program is scientifically and reasonably structured. While at the art school, he was also continuously enlightened and influenced by various other departments: music, drama, dance, writing, and so on, making us adults infinitely envious. - The Xiaobei Family

【Geographic Location】Located in Idyllwild, Southern California, home to Hollywood, it is the most desired place for art dreamers.
【Small Class Sizes】The average class size is only 14 students.
【Teaching Facilities】ESL Center, Eagle's Nest Classroom, Lewitzky Dance Studio, Krone Library, Hicks Studio, Wayne Music Hall, Performance Center, 3 Theaters, Practice Rooms, Music Classrooms, Art Studios, Art Gallery, Dance Studio, Indoor Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Basketball Court, Theater, Activity Center, Campus-wide Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Tennis Courts, Humanities Center, Writing Resource Center, Farm.
【School Honors】The only independent boarding secondary school in the West Coast region focused on art, one of only three art-focused independent boarding secondary schools in the U.S., one of the best art high schools in the U.S., ranked #1 nationally for art boarding schools.
【Featured Courses】Specialized professional arts, interdisciplinary arts.
【Small Class Instruction】Small class instruction, caring and benevolent classrooms, students with shared artistic dreams gather here to be nurtured in artistic creation.
【University Admissions】100% of our graduates enter four-year universities.

Overall, IAA gave me an experience beyond imagination. I spent a brief but unforgettable time there. Just imagine, I might never find scenery like Idyllwild in the city where I live, let alone the tranquil and focused artistic atmosphere inherent in that small town. Human interaction was more valued because of this tranquility, and such warmth is inseparable from California's sunshine and the natural ambiance of the pine forests. For me, it gave me more time to think about my future direction, and at the same time, the continuous support and encouragement from teachers also helped me build confidence. I believe all of this will be beneficial to me in the future.

I believe the greatest advantage of Idyllwild Arts is its professionalism and openness in the arts. Students who come here to study all love art, and the school allows them to dedicate half, or even more than half, of their day to focus on what they are passionate about. Under the guidance of teachers in the VA department, various projects, and critiques, I gradually developed an innovative way of thinking. This mindset has been of great help to me later on, both in my artistic and academic development. I think this is also the kind of thinking most people hope to gain from an American education.

I graduated from the film department at Idyllwild Arts. I am very satisfied with the school's teaching environment and technical facilities; the equipment is complete, and the knowledge imparted is very professional. The teachers are also very enthusiastic and dedicated, often providing extra help to students who face learning difficulties. What surprised me most was the teachers' emphasis on fostering student individuality; there were virtually no restrictions on the topics students chose for their projects, allowing them to freely create their own stories and shooting styles. Even if the school's equipment and props couldn't meet a student's filming needs, the teachers would allocate resources to provide additional solutions, such as renting or custom-making equipment and props. In such a creative environment, I produced high-quality work and received the highest scholarship from Ringling University. I am very satisfied with this school and highly recommend it for consideration.

The school is 200 kilometers from Los Angeles, nestled in a large pine forest on a mountaintop. It's a true paradise, with sunshine all year round and frequent breathtaking sunsets. The small town has over 2000 households and is a very safe community.
The atmosphere between teachers and students is very friendly and sunny, perhaps related to the brilliant weather there. The art teaching facilities are complete, and the teachers are very dedicated, creating conditions for children to find their own passions. The art instruction is quite strong, so much so that the first year at an art university feels very easy. When we were there, we felt that the science teaching was relatively weak; we wonder if it has been strengthened in recent years.
The cafeteria buffet is also good. We even reminisced about it this morning. Although it doesn't perfectly suit the "Chinese palate," the overall quality is good, showing that the school is making an effort.
As it is an art school, there are many activities, performances, and exhibitions on weekdays and weekends. Students from various departments have stages to showcase their work, including large and small concert halls, performance studios, and galleries. In this regard, I believe the school does an excellent job. The Visual Arts Department also holds exhibitions and sells children's artwork at a gallery in Palm Desert, down the mountain.
In summary, we deeply love this school, love its unique natural environment, and often wish to go back.

Edward is an academy that helps students find their passion. This is very important for a high school student who is passionate about art. The school's natural environment helps people calm down to think and learn. Edward's teachers encourage students to actively explore and seek possibilities, to try, fail, and try again. Its teaching facilities are excellent, providing students with ample space to experience various art forms. By studying cultural subjects, interacting with students from all over the world, and engaging in art creation, students can develop well-rounded abilities, which will be very helpful for their future, whether at an art university or a comprehensive university. After graduation, Edward's students have gone on to top art colleges such as RISD, Cooper Union, and Parsons. Some students also go to general comprehensive universities like USC, UCLA, Brown, etc.

The school is located in the hills of Los Angeles, boasting a superb environment and excellent faculty, especially the VA-Visual Arts program, which cultivates many outstanding artists every year. Many students have been admitted to top schools such as RISD, ArtCenter, USC, and NYU. Some students even received admission letters from Cooper Union, known as the 'Harvard of the art world.' Visual Arts is an excellent major choice.

Idyllwild Arts Academy is located in the mountains of Los Angeles, California, and is one of the top three boarding arts high schools in the United States. Three years ago, visiting the school in winter felt like being in a paradise; the dining hall food was excellent. It's a great choice for students who love visual arts and filmmaking.

School features are as follows:

1. The campus spans 205 acres with advanced facilities, including dorms with private showers and bathtubs, the state-of-the-art Bruce Ryan Soundstage, a top-tier professional film editing suite, the Kennedy Kiln Center, and the Holmes Amphitheater, etc.

2. The 2019 graduates achieved excellent admissions: 7 to Berklee College of Music, 3 to California Institute of the Arts, 4 to Eastman School of Music, 9 to School of the Art Institute of Chicago, etc. A student from Liumei.com was eventually admitted to Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.

3. The school regularly invites university professors or industry professionals to serve as guest lecturers. For example, the guest lecturer for the creative writing course, Claudia Rankine, is a professor of creative writing at Yale University.

4. Numerous opportunities: Spring and summer internship opportunities in New York and Palm Springs; its proximity to Los Angeles provides students with unique opportunities to interact with Hollywood in film & digital media; opportunities to collaborate with renowned composers during premieres of their works; opportunities to collaborate with professional artists from around the world to display masterworks at the Park Exhibition Center, etc.

5. Art courses cover professional art fields such as creative writing, dance, fashion design, film & digital media, music, theater, and visual arts, satisfying students' pursuit of art.

6. Students are encouraged to participate in competitions such as the Chapman University Shakespeare Festival Competition and the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Youth Ceramics Exhibition.