Academics
Student Services
Every Idyllwild Artist is set up to be successful during their tenure here. Our Student Services team is organized to support students at the center—our systems, tools, and resources provide ongoing academic, personal and professional support to every student.
Academics
Advising
Advisors at Idyllwild Arts are committed to their advisees’ academic success. Advisors conduct weekly, touch-base meetings to review grades, review assignments, report progress, discuss challenges, and liaise with faculty or parents as needed. Our advisors play an integral role in helping students succeed in their academic courses.
Office Hours and Tutoring
Much like a college or university, our Academic faculty holds regularly scheduled office hours Tuesday through Thursday during the X-block from 11:20-11:50 a.m. Additionally, the Resource Center is staffed by a full-time faculty member who provides small group tutoring for students needing extra support in their academic courses. A student may be assigned to the Resource Center on a regular basis by the Assistant Head of School, and the Center is available for students with documented learning differences. Please contact the Assistant Head of School for information.
College Counseling
College counselors at Idyllwild Arts work tirelessly to provide customized post-graduate support. Our college counselors work one-on-one with every senior and their parents to facilitate the college admission process, conservatory preparation, or other post-graduate training programs. Our students receive thoughtful, strategic direction as they prepare for life as an Idyllwild Arts graduate, poised and prepared for the next step.
Test Preparation
At Idyllwild Arts, we believe that proper test preparation and planning is key to future success. Idyllwild Arts offers the PSAT once a year for Juniors in October and the SAT once a year in March. Although the SAT is not required, some students take the SAT for college applications. Seniors wishing to take the SAT are strongly encouraged to do so in August prior to returning to campus.
Some international students will need an English language test for admission to college. Those students are encouraged to take either the TOEFL or Duolingo language tests. Currently, both tests can be taken online. To register for these tests please contact our testing coordinator.
International students applying to schools in the UK and many in the US may need to take the IELTS. The IELTS is an all-day test, so students are encouraged to take it at home. If a student needs to take it while at school, they must get approval from their College Counselor before they register. IAA uses the San Diego testing location for IELTS.
Colleges understand the rigor of our dual curriculum, and while we do not offer AP courses , students can choose to take them through additional external programs. You can contact the Assistant Head of School for more information and obtain permission.
Any students who are interested in taking any standardized tests should contact our testing coordinator, and discuss college preparation or admissions tests with their College Counselor.
Student Services
Our network of student support staff, resources, and materials is extensive and at Idyllwild Arts, we are emphatic in our pursuit to improve the quality of our students’ lives.
The Health Center is a trusted resource that provides medical supervision, coordination of care, and treatment support for the physical health of all students. A licensed, medical professional is available 24/7. The Health Center staff coordinates all aspects of care from treating acute illnesses, dispensing medication, and care coordination for external courses of treatment.
Health Center Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: 951.659.2171 x2275
The Wellness Center provides counseling services, support groups, and enrichment workshops free of charge for all students. Students may be self-referred or referred by parents, teachers, dorm parents, or advisors. It is the goal of the counseling staff to provide emotional support and valuable resources to students as they work through the inevitable challenges of life. Supervised by the Dean of Students and in collaboration with the Director of Counseling Services, counselors will make outside referrals for more specialized treatment support and options when needed.
Wellness Center Hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
*An on-call counselor is available after-hours for urgent issues.
As a close-knit community, we advocate for the health of our campus community and have developed a policy to address student illnesses. Any student who is ill must report their symptoms to a nurse in the Health Center. Students who are too sick to walk to the Health Center must email or call the nurses, or let their dorm parents know they are sick. If a student presents with flu-like symptoms and a fever of 100.4 F (38.0 C) or above, the student must remain in the Health Center until they have been fever-free for 24 hours. Medical absences for day students must be reported before 8 AM on the day of the absence.
Students who are excused from class for illness may not participate in school activities until they have received a release from the school nurse.
Health Center Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: 951.659.2171 x2275
As a residential boarding school, the safety and security of our students and our campus is paramount. We utilize campus identification badges as one important measure to manage access on the campus. All students are issued an ID badge from Student Services, which serves as identification, authentication, and is also used for purchases through their student account. We require students to have their badge in their possession anytime they are outside their dorm, during meals at the dining hall, or at mandatory school events.
Idyllwild Arts Academy has opportunities for student leadership on the Student Council or in the Prefect Program. The student body elects a student from each grade, an international student representative and a senior class president. The Student Council relays issues, ideas, interests or concerns to school administration providing real-life opportunities to effect change. Members of the Student Council learn to flex their leadership muscles, stretch themselves as advocates, and develop as societal influencers.
Another area where Idyllwild Artists grow as leaders is through the Prefect Program. Prefects are upper-class students, who have been selected for their leadership potential, honesty, and dependability to work closely with faculty members as examples and role models for younger students. Prefects work with dorm parents and the Director of Campus Life to monitor and govern the dorms, as well as, plan fun, exciting activities both on and off campus.
At Idyllwild Arts, we have a centralized, comprehensive learning management system known as the IA Account. This system allows for daily, consistent, up-to-date access regarding assignments, homework, feedback, and grades.
Families and students have access to Reach to manage any away permissions.
Day students are expected to participate fully in arts and academic classes, and are required to be on campus for student events, activities, practices, and performances.
Day Student Visiting Hours
Visiting hours end after dinner on school nights. On Sunday through Friday, day students are not allowed in dorms after 9 PM unless they are working with a faculty member or waiting for a parent or guardian to pick them up. On Saturday evenings, they may visit until the dorm curfew at 10 PM.
Day Student Driving and Parking
Day students who receive prior authorization to drive to campus, must register their car with the Dean of Students and park in designated parking spaces.
Day Student Lockers
Day students are provided lockers, cubbies, desks, and other equipment to be used for the storage and safekeeping of artistic or academic materials while on campus.
Need More Information?
Explore the Student Handbook.