Admission Process

The Idyllwild Arts application process is designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your desire to join our collaborative, creative community, discover and develop your own unique voice, and grow as an artist. The process consists of three parts:

Create an Idyllwild Arts account online to begin your application and remit your application fee:

• $60.00 for U.S. applicants
• $100.00 for International applicants

We also accept the Standard Application Online (SAO), which can be a convenient option for students applying to more than one private school.

A parent or guardian must complete the Confidential Parent Questionnaire

One-Year Seniors and Post-Graduates – The following should be submitted along with your application: TOEFL score for international One-Year Seniors and Post-Graduates, PSAT, or ACT score for domestic One-Year Seniors and Post-Graduates, Transcripts for all the years you have attended high school, 3.0 GPA minimum

Depending on the selected art major, applicants must either audition, submit a portfolio, or present an essay. For specific details on requirements by major, please refer to the Audition and Portfolio Requirements page.

Three years of school transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine). We require a minimum of 3.0 GPA

• Homeschool Requirements: In order to be considered for admission to Idyllwild Arts Academy, students who are homeschooled must participate in a state recognized homeschooling program. If transcripts are not available through your homeschooling program, please submit the following materials in lieu of transcripts:
• Documentation of compliance with a state-accredited homeschooling program
• A comprehensive description of the homeschooling curriculum, outlining coursework and books used
• Grades for each course taken with a description of grading standards
• SSAT testing results or those of another standardized test (required for rising 11th and 12th grade students only)
• Parents must prepare a written statement: What factors played into your decision to homeschool your child? How do you feel your child will perform in an independent school environment both socially and academically?

Applicants must complete a personal interview, which may be conducted online or in-person during a campus visit.

Please contact the Admission Team at admissionteam@idyllwildarts.org to schedule your interview.

The Artistic Reference form should be completed by a teacher or private instructor who has recently taught the applicant in their chosen arts discipline.

Please send to admissionteam@idyllwildarts.org

The Academic Reference form should be completed by a recent Academic teacher or instructor.

Please send to admissionteam@idyllwildarts.org

International Student Applicants
Idyllwild Arts Academy’s student body is global by design, representing 35 countries and 24 states. We deeply value the cultural richness and diversity these students bring to our community.  The connections they form here broaden our perspectives and create lasting bonds.

We invite our international applicants to Idyllwild Arts Academy to complete an admission application, an admission interview, and submit an audition or portfolio.  Finally, international students will demonstrate their English language proficiency by submitting scores from a standardized English assessment.

Accepted Exams 
Duolingo (preferred), TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English Qualification.

Who is Required to Take an English Language Assessment?
All students, regardless of citizenship, whose first or primary language is not English must submit an official English assessment. The test results must be sent electronically to Idyllwild Arts Academy. Our TOEFL school code is 2528.

Please note that we can accommodate beginning English speakers in the 9th grade however, an assessment is still required for 9th graders for placement purposes.

Who is Exempt?
You are exempt from submitting an English assessment if you have studied in the United States or another predominantly English-speaking country or school for at least four consecutive academic years. 

Preferred Exam: Duolingo
The Duolingo test is an online assessment that features grammar and vocabulary exercises, a brief writing sample, and a short video interview. It is accessible 24/7, and Idyllwild Arts Academy will receive the results within two business days. To take the test, visit the Duolingo Website. The test fee is $49, payable directly to Duolingo.

How to Submit Your Duolingo Test Results to Idyllwild Arts Academy
After receiving your certified test results, log into your Duolingo account, click on the “Send Results” button next to your test score, and select Idyllwild Arts Academy.