Idyllwild Arts Academy Reviews

117 reviews

Safe enviroment, awsome teachers, as a parent I was very happy with Nicole being there because they develop Nicole’s fully potential not only artistic but academic as well

I've just completed my first year at IAA as a junior and am heading into my senior year as a prefect and class president! I've loved my experience at Idyllwild thus with the staff, dorm heads/parents, environment, teachers, and students. It's such an amazing opportunity for me to explore and expand my education in my art. However, the main thing I struggled with this past year was the food. Though the dining hall staff does work tirelessly in providing both healthy and culturally diverse meals, a lot of the time it falls short in flavor and likeability. To combat this I bring my air fryer to school (which I highly suggest for picky eaters). On the contrary, there are lots of exciting activities on campus every week to keep you occupied and engaged throughout the year. Note that if you decide the idy is the place for your this upcoming school year you won't regret it! But be prepared for homesickness, cold weather, the schedule of a dual curriculum, and BEING BUSY!

My daughter spent 2 years (junior and senior) at Idyllwild Arts, and experienced a great deal of growth--artistically, academically and personally. She made close friends, learned a lot, and gained a great deal of insight into being a professional artist. It's much more intensive than she could have received at a non-boarding school because they have many hours of classes, even Saturday, because they fit in so much. Students have to be willing to work hard, but that's good. My daughter is a strong english, hx and science student and she loved her academic and arts classes. The college advising was very helpful.

The surroundings are beautiful (also rather remote--which is good for having your teenager far from distraction, also challenging when you have to get them out to a doctor's office for example). I appreciate how they work to integrate families, having events online when possible for families who are far away. As an overseas diplomatic family it was a great option for us.

Review Idyllwild Arts Academy

Idyllwild Arts Academy is a wonderful community and environment to explore and nurture your artistry. It has incredibly supportive network of faculty to advise and guide you through the challenges and triumphs of being a young artist. With majors including Interdisciplinary Arts (similar to undecided, meaning you can take classes from any department you choose), students receive an extraordinarily individualized experience with access to life-changing mentorship. Idyllwild Arts is also a boarding school which allowed me to get ahead in my general life-skills and self-management so the blow wasn't too hard when I got to college. It is a peaceful environment with quite a small student body, generally made up of really sweet kids who love to collaborate on projects with one another. Upon successful completion of their program/graduation, students receive both a high school diploma and art certificate. Tuition is quite pricey, but financial aid is available. Truly an amazing school!

I attended Idyllwild Arts Academy for two years, graduated in 2023, and I can safely say that applying to Idyllwild Arts was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I changed me so much as a person, and I've met so many people here who really cared about me.
The teachers are amazing, it was the first time in my life when I actually wanted to go to classes. Every morning I was excited to go and see my teachers and friends, and to learn new things.
During these two years, I have faced a lot of obstacles in my life and the school has been supportive in every way possible. All the staff members are really supportive too, and you can always count on their help if you need it.
I met a lot of great friends who I will miss a lot, and I will really try to come back next year for their graduation.
I really love this school with all my heart and I am so glad that I had this opportunity to come and study here for two years, these two years have truly been the best years of my life.

I grew up in a town where everyone was one and the same. Everyone was born in Adelaide, everyone's parents would stay together, everyone had the same political views and everyone planned to grow old in Adelaide. Growing up I was very different from the people surrounding me. I was born in a different country, my parents were divorced, I was raised with a more progressive political view and I was counting down the days until I could leave the country and attend boarding school. No one from my home would let me forget I was different, people would constantly point out my accent, how I had a different outlook on life, and how my views were incorrect. There were times when people said that my actions would end in me being condemned to hell. Coming to an international school, where everyone is different has never made me feel more connected to the people around me, I hope that I can continue to be surrounded by that kind of environment.

My son was supposed to spend 1 semester at Idyllwild Arts Academy but he is now enrolled for his 3d year there!
Everything and everybody made him stay that long and he will probably be graduating there.
The attention of the team with him and the all family, their carefulness, their steady hand when necessary, the high level of teachers that comes from art backgrounds and are able to show him the reality of the Musical Theater universe, the community and family spirit, the deep friendships ...
Plus the town of Idyllwild that is a wonderful small place, in the mountains, populated by artists and body/spiritual healers that gives a special welcoming flavor to the all context!
Having my son living far away from home for so long was a very difficult decision to take, but his happiness and growth as an artist and a young human being gives me the certitute that the distance worth every moment he is experiencing there!
I can only recommend and thanks IAA for this wonderful life experience!

I have been here for the last 4 years and I could not be more grateful for the experience. I have learned so much about myself and about the people surrounding me. It opened my eyes and exposed me to amazing experiences that I will never forget. Such a unique experience.

We had a very bad experience with the school.
The teachers are great, but there are things that doesn’t work that well, very disappointed!

I am very happy with the school, especially for the care and support they give to students, and their double streams of academic and art subjects. Students' day is full and productive, with thoughtfully arranged breaks and events. My daughter is able to experiment with her interest in art while ensuring her academic growth. I am happy to see her gaining a clearer understanding of herself and her direction for the future. Faculties in the school are heroic in their effort to encourage student growth in the most unsettling years of adolescence. But they managed to do well. Special mentions for the student affairs director Maggie and dorm parent Dominique, for their tireless work to ensure the safety and quality of our kids' life on campus.

Idyllwild Arts is an amazing school with an amazing faculty. Many of the students are highly motivated and it is a great environment to pursue your passion.

It is an amazing school. Everyone, teachers, students, and staff, are really supportive!!! The art and academics are amazing

Idyllwild Arts is the type of school that gives you the resources, and you gotta do the rest on your own. This will be a great system for some, but horrible for others.

My son has been attending Idyllwild Arts Academy, a third year senior.
We are so happy about the school. The faculty are wonderful! People are so nice, not only faculty and students, but also staff and the IAA community. We are International family, and people are very supportive. He is a music major. He had an amazing opportunity, he never had this opportunity back in his International School. He became such a great Artist, because of this school! We love Idyllwild Arts Academy.

Idyllwild Arts Academy is an amazing school. It has both amazing art and academics curriculum as well as an incredible and inclusive environment. People at idyllwild are supportive of every single situation, all students, teachers and staff have an excellent attitude. I feel really safe there! The best part is that not only you get an amazing academic education while doing what you love, but you also get to see all the other students performances like concerts, plays, art exhibitions, fashion shows and many others. It is definitely a great place to be and an amazing community to be a part of!

Attending IAA has been a truly lovely, magical experience for me. The lifestyle alone is something all teens dream of, with an abundance of freedom, independence, and exploration balanced out by protection, care, and stability. The students you’ll encounter are so so colorful and sensitive and in touch with themselves as well as their art. The campus offers a perfect environment for deep, fulfilling friendships. The staff feels more like genuine guardians rather than distant teachers. Some of my favorite memories have been sharing tea and having spiritual afternoon talks with my dorm mom and making a film about mushrooms with my movement and wellness teacher. Overall, I have felt absolutely swaddled by this school and owe so so much of my creative and emotional well-being to my ability to attend it.

My daughter just completed her Freshman year as a boarding student at IAA. Firstly, the arts education has been absolutely incredible. It's such an immersive environment and was truly transformative for her as an artist and individual. She was allowed the freedom to complete projects that she would not have had the opportunity to at a traditional school. She was encouraged to enter various competitions and to show case her work in many exciting ways! Additionally, we were very impressed faculty/staff there. They provide a nurturing and supportive environment both for her artistic endeavors and personal growth. She formed strong bonds with several staff, faculty, and students. As parents, we felt so comfortable seeing how the staff and faculty truly cared about her and were always there to help anytime day or night. We are so grateful for this unique opportunity and highly recommend IAA to anyone looking to grow as an artist and individual in this peaceful oasis in the woods!

Review Idyllwild Arts Academy

IAA has been an amazing experience for my son. He is passionate about film, and at IAA he has been able to be involved in creating, directing and working on all aspects of film production at an extremely high and challenging level. Wonderful faculty and overall accepting and diverse student body. Highly recommend.

Idyllwild Arts Academy has been the perfect school to fulfill a lifelong dream. The faculty there have given me opportunities I never would’ve received that have helped me more in my career than I could’ve ever imagined. The overall environment of support and unique perspectives has been eye opening yet comfortable. If you want a career in the arts or even a different pathway and simply have an individualistic passion for the arts, this school is the perfect gateway, not only for a name on a resume, but a wonderful education to go along with it!

this school slayed! I loved it!! yall should come!! the dining hall food is actually so good!! I will miss it so much

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