Art is one field of study that requires special attention, because art is creativity, and creativity is a frame of mind and an approach to life. So for students who are really passionate about arts and want a stronger artistic focus during their high school years, the best art boarding school may be a dream come true.
Indeed, art boarding schools will engage you in the arts much deeply, it all depends on how far you want to go.
Also, graduates of this program often start up easily in college or university art programs, sometimes majoring in the area they were in high school. While some discover a new passion at the course of attending art boarding schools and then pursue that field instead.
Though some change their mind entirely and follow a more academic direction in science, engineering, law, and so on. Even though they are quite a few in number they always remain grateful for being able to study in the art environment.
Hence, enrol your child on one of the best to gain a more comprehensive understanding of modern-day art boarding schools and the relative value of the boarding school experience.
But before we start stating the Best Art Boarding Schools in the US, there are some important pieces of information to aid you in making the best choice for your child. The table of content below will give you an overview of what this article has.
Table of contents
Are there Art Boarding Schools?
There are only a few private and independent arts-oriented boarding schools in the United States.
Such as Idyllwild Arts Academy in Southern California; Interlochen Arts Academy in Northern Michigan; and the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Massachusetts, just west of Boston.
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Are Art Boarding Schools Worth It?
Determining whether an art boarding school is the right option for you is similar in some ways to knowing what to study in college.
For this reason, parents will always want to do everything they can to determine whether the school they choose will fit well with their future career for their child.
Yes! That’s quite understandable.
The truth is that an art boarding high school can help your child’s talent and potential for growth and open many doors to the future.
Also, an art boarding school is a good place to help you learn how to manage the demands of your art field and academics. Learning time management makes it so much easier to adjust while in college.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend an Art Boarding School in the US?
One big concern for many parents is how to pay for boarding school, especially when they have college not far away.
From the different tuition of art boarding schools, the average cost of attending art school is $42,000.
As much as this poses a big challenge, boarding art schools have devised a good solution. Most of these schools in the US now offer need-based financial assistance.
Also, some students now have another creative method of raising money to pay for their study, from crowdfunding to performing to applying for outside grants and scholarships.
What Arts Boarding Schools Expect from Applicants
As much as there are admission requirements for each of these schools, there are other essential skills they require that a student should possess.
All boarding high schools expect that you should be engaged in arts already. in fact, as part of the admission process, audition or submit a portfolio to be considered for admission.
Each boarding school specifies exactly what they expect from a prospective student during the audition on its website.
Another way to meet these expectations is to attend a high school summer program on campus. This is because all art boarding schools in the US offer summer programs in different areas, such as instrumental and vocal music, songwriting, filmmaking, photography, creative writing, theatre, music production, and dance.
However, the three US art schools accept students until their junior year.
What is the Best Art Boarding Schools in the USA?
We will consider several ranking factors to select the Best and Top-Ranked Art Boarding Schools in the USA in 2024. Note that this World Scholarship Forum Ranking of Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois is actually considering about 5 factors.
They include:
Ranking Methodology
Acceptance Rate: This aspect is important because the lower the acceptance rate, the better the school. The acceptance rate of any art school is a guide to show the quality of the university.
Cost of Study: This criterion is very important because a school can be considered good with great programs but the price is huge. And also, the availability of financial aid and scholarships matters a lot.
Students to Faculty Ratio: This criterion is very important because a school can be considered good with great programs but not quality. The class size matters a lot when ranking the top art boarding schools in the USA.
Enrollment Rate: This is one aspect that is also important because to be considered the best boarding school, the school should have a good number of students enrolled in it.
Accreditation: We also rank these schools by the government’s authorization to function as a school. However, all the listed schools are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
#1. Idyllwild Arts Academy
Enrollment Rate: 90%
Tuition Fee: $68,432, $65,091 (International & Boarding)
Student to Faculty Ratio: 3:1
The Idyllwild Arts Academy is the country’s premier and internationally-acclaimed residential arts high school (9th-12th; PG). As well as a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum for a diverse student body of gifted young artists worldwide.
Idyllwild Arts Academy provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted young artists. While the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides arts instruction and experiences of the highest calibre to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities.
Also, at Idyllwild, the teacher-student relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. This strong relationship is possible due to their small size. Their teachers are there to teach, inspire and support, and empower you.
With 311 students and an average class size of 12, each teacher can get to know each student and their strengths and needs.
Most importantly, Idyllwild Arts Academy’s unmatched dual-curricular program has earned it Niche.com‘s ranking as the best arts high school in the country and has moved online to accommodate international students who may be unable to get to the U.S.
Hence, if you are looking for the top art boarding school for your child in the USA, consider Idyllwild Arts Academy.
With regard to the cost of studying in this school, we can say that their tuition is good, as 78% of their students receive financial assistance and several scholarships. The tuition fee for the 2024 School year is $68,432, $65,091, and $30,000 for International, Domestic, & Day students, respectively.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking Idyllwild Arts Academy as the #1 Best Art Boarding School in the USA based on all these factors illustrated above.
#2. Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Enrollment Rate: 88%
Tuition Fee: $66,390, $49,990 (Boarding & Day student)
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Walnut Hill School for the Arts is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience purposefully designed for student artists in grades 9–12, with a postgraduate year also available.
Most importantly, every aspect of their program promotes their students’ growth as bold artists, curious learners, and mindful citizens.
Also, at Walnut, the teacher-student relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. These strong relationships is possible due to their small size. Their teachers are there to teach, inspire, and support, but above all to empower you.
With the 284 students and an average class size at 13, each teacher can get to know each student and their individual strengths and needs.
Most importantly, Walnut Hill School for the Arts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools.
With regard to the cost of studying in this school, we can say that their tuition is good as 34% of their students receive financial assistance and several scholarships. The tuition fee for the 2024-23 School year is $66,390, $49,990 for Boarding & Day student respectively.
Hence, if you are looking for the top art boarding school for your child in USA, consider Walnut Hill School for the Arts.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking Walnut Hill School for the Arts as the #2 Best Art Boarding Schools in the USA based on all these factors illustrated above.
#3. Interlochen Arts Academy
Enrollment Rate: 80%
Tuition Fee: $66,875, $38,000 (Boarding & Day student)
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Interlochen Arts Academy is a fine arts boarding high school offering grades 9-12 and a post-graduate year. Located in northern Michigan, Interlochen Arts Academy boarding high school prepares young artists for rewarding careers and fosters academic excellence.
Major areas of study include music, theatre, interdisciplinary arts, creative writing, film and new media, dance, and visual arts.
Most importantly, every aspect of their program promotes their students’ growth as bold artists, curious learners, and mindful citizens.
Also, at Interlochen, the teacher-student relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. These strong relationships are possible due to their small size. Their teachers are there to teach, inspire, and support, but above all, to empower you.
With 284 students and an average class size of 13, each teacher can get to know each student and their strengths and needs.
Most importantly, Interlochen Arts Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Independent Schools.
With regard to the cost of studying in this school, we can say that their tuition is good 78% of their students receive financial assistance and several scholarships. The tuition fee for the 2024 School year is $66,875, $38,000 for Boarding & Day student, respectively.
Hence, if you are looking for the top art boarding school for your child in USA, consider Interlochen Arts Academy.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking Interlochen Arts Academy as the #3 Best Art Boarding Schools in the USA based on all these factors illustrated above.
#4. Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
Enrollment Rate: 99%
Tuition Fee:
Student to Faculty Ratio: 4:1
Besant Hill School is a small boarding school in California. Grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year. Located in California, Interlochen Arts Academy boarding high school prepares young artists for rewarding careers and fosters academic excellence.
Major areas of study include music, theatre, interdisciplinary arts, creative writing, film and new media, dance, and visual arts.
Most importantly, their small size, committed faculty and staff, and beautiful location in the Ojai Valley make Besant Hill School a one-of-a-kind place to study for students from around the globe.
Also, the teacher-student relationship is based on trust and mutual respect at Besant Hill School. This strong relationship is possible due to their small size. Their teachers are there to teach, inspire and support, and empower you.
With 284 students and an average class size of 9, each teacher can get to know each student and their strengths and needs.
Most importantly, Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).
With regards to the cost of studying in this school, we can say that their tuition is good, with 78% of their students receiving financial assistance and several scholarships. The tuition Fee for the 2024-21 School year is $55,000, $25,095 for Boarding & Day students, respectively.
Hence, if you are looking for the top art boarding school for your child in USA, consider Besant Hill School.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking Besant Hill School as the #4 Best Art Boarding Schools in the USA based on all these factors illustrated above.
FAQs
There are only a few private and independent arts-oriented boarding schools in the United States. Such as Idyllwild Arts Academy in Southern California; Interlochen Arts Academy in Northern Michigan; and the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Massachusetts, just west of Boston.
Yes! Art boarding schools are worth it for your child. An art boarding high school can help your child’s talent and potential for growth as well as open many doors to the future. Also, an art boarding school is a good place to help you learn how to manage the demand of your art field along with academics. Learning time management makes it so much easier to adjust while in college.
From the different tuition of art boarding schools, the average cost of attending art school is $42,000. As much as this poses a big challenge, boarding art schools have come up with a good solution to that. Most of these schools in US now offer need-based financial assistance.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best boarding schools for your child, make sure you are making the right choice. That is why choosing from the best of them all is necessary. This article has outlined the 2024 ranking of the Best Art Boarding Schools in the US. Make the right choice now!
References
- teenlife.com – Why Arts Boarding Schools Can Expand Your College Opportunities
- boardingschools.us – List of Residential Art Schools
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