Schools for the artistically gifted child are in short supply. If you have a daughter inclined to things thespian or a son who sings, then you ought to consider a school which makes the arts its raison d'etre, a place where the arts are not just a pleasant extracurricular activity.
These specialist private schools arrange their academic day around serious time for the arts. Plenty of rehearsal time is a must. Exciting recital and performance opportunities abound. Expert instruction is de rigeur. This short video explains why arts are important.
Here are descriptions of the schools in their own words. Be sure to click on the links to read more about each school on this list.
Adda Clevenger Junior Prep & Theater School, San Francisco
"All students of the school are members of the Adda Clevenger Youth Chorus of San Francisco under the direction of Alexis Murphy-Egri. In addition to a well-rounded musical education including music theory, vocal coaching and dramatic interpretation, it is essential that choristers also have many opportunities to perform. The repertoire consists of a wide range of genres including classical, sacred, folk, theater, and current popular music."
The Conservatory, Baltimore Actors' Theatre, Baltimore
"The Conservatory, Baltimore Actors' Theatre, is Maryland's first and only accredited College Preparatory School of the Arts, for students from grades pre-one to 12. Established in 1979, The Conservatory has garnered a reputation for the excellence of its academic and arts curriculum. In 1999 and 2001, The Conservatory was named one of Baltimore's Best Elementary and Secondary Schools by Baltimore Magazine. A strong academic program is provided in the morning hours, followed by professional training in all three disciplines: music, drama and dance. Advanced placement courses are offered in English (American and British), biology, history (American and European), French, and music theory."
The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Chicago
"The Chicago Academy for the Arts is an independent arts high school, offering six courses of study: Dance, Media Arts, Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts."
"The study of chamber music alongside a rigorous academic curriculum offers our students a unique educational experience with transformative results. Small class sizes allow our students to thrive as individuals and to gain confidence in their own voices. In ensembles, students learn skills such as focused listening, dedicated practice and perseverance, constructive incorporation of teacher feedback, and an empathetic group dynamic. All of this transfers into the academic classroom. Students become effective project managers, attuned to the strengths of their peers and working cooperatively toward a goal. The joy in playing music fuels their passion to create, explore, discuss, brainstorm, act, and grow into themselves at this important juncture in their young lives."
Idyllwild Arts Academy, Idyllwild
"The Idyllwild Arts Academy is the country’s premier and internationally-acclaimed residential arts high school (September through May) which provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted young artists. Idyllwild Arts Academy's 300 students hail from more than 25 countries and pursue artistic excellence in Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Creative Writing, Film & Digital Media, InterArts / Fashion Design. Graduates of Idyllwild Arts Academy currently excel in every professional field of the arts including Broadway theatre, primetime television, classical and jazz music, motion pictures, graphic design, photography and more."
Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen
"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, comparative arts, creative writing, motion picture arts, dance, and visual arts."
North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem
"The high school program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts combines top-tier academics with immersive conservatory training in the arts. You will earn a high-school diploma — including AP courses. If you are a musician or dancer, you will develop your craft alongside talented peers, and college and graduate students. The synergy can’t be matched."
"Our arts and academic partnership promotes an environment in both arts and academic classes where a student’s multiple intelligences can flourish. Through their arts experiences, our students acquire skills and strategies–such as attention to detail, self-discipline, self-awareness, and risk-taking–that help them succeed in their academic classes."
The Professional Children's School, New York
"Since our founding in 1914, PCS has been providing an academic education especially designed for talented young people pursuing goals in the performing arts, entertainment and competitive sports. PCS provides all of the necessary academic tools to ensure success in leading colleges, universities and conservatories, as well as throughout life."
The Evening Arts Program serves to extend the artistic and creative possibilities offered to students during the academic day, by providing a wide range of arts-based classes. It is an opportunity for students to try something entirely new, or to delve more deeply into an art form for which they have already developed a passion. In the evening, many wonderful local artists and craftspeople join the art department to share their gifts.
Saint Thomas Church Choir School, New York
"The Saint Thomas Choir School houses, nurtures and educates the boy choristers of the world-renowned choir of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. Founded in 1919, and located in the heart of New York City, Saint Thomas Choir School is the only church-affiliated boarding school of its kind in the United States."
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, Seattle
"Our Mission at Seattle Academy is to prepare students for college and life. Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent secondary school with a mission to prepare our students to participate effectively in modern society. We, therefore, seek a diversified student body and faculty. We offer a demanding college-preparatory curriculum integrating the arts and emphasizing a global perspective. We utilize the resources of our urban environment to extend our classrooms, to enhance our programs, and to engage our students in public service. Most of all, we seek to graduate motivated young men and women of talent and integrity who are prepared to contribute productively to a changing world."
Texas School of the Arts, Fort Worth
"Texas School of the Arts (TeSA) offers a challenging program and truly innovative environment in which male and female students grades kindergarten through 8th develop artistically, academically and socially."
Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Natick
"The arts program at Walnut Hill School for the Arts provides students with an intensive, pre-professional training from world-renowned faculty who understand and encourage a young artist’s drive for excellence. All students major in one of five arts – dance; music; theater; visual art; or writing, film & media arts. Within each arts major, students participate in a varied curriculum that will best prepare them for placement within a conservatory or liberal arts college, as well as a professional career."
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