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Arts Boarding School


Why Interlochen Arts Academy

Here, learning extends far beyond the classroom. You'll work with world-renowned faculty and staff who'll become treasured mentors and teachers. You'll find people and kindred spirits who'll reveal other parts of yourself. You'll enjoy experiences and classes that will help you grow in ways you never thought possible.

At Interlochen, you'll unlock potential and find the confidence to push against your own limitations. Immersed in nature and surrounded by a global community of like-minded artists, you'll discover a high school for the arts (grades 9-12) you may only have dreamed about.


College Matriculation

Why arts boarding schools can expand your college opportunities

At Interlochen Arts Academy, we have a history of success. Our talented and imaginative students go on to attend top colleges, universities, and conservatories. Here is a list of some of the institutions our students matriculated to recently:

  • New York University
  • The Juilliard School
  • Yale University
  • Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester)
  • University of Michigan
  • Harvard University
  • Berklee College of Music
  • New England Conservatory
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • Princeton University
  • Northwestern University
  • Columbia University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Oberlin College and Conservatory
  • Manhattan School of Music
  • Stanford University
  • Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
  • California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • The New School
  • Peabody Conservatory (Johns Hopkins University)
  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts
  • Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
  • Curtis Institute of Music
  • Blair School of Music (Vanderbilt University)
  • Shepherd School of Music (Rice University)
  • Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
  • Parsons School of Design (The New School)
  • Cooper Union
  • San Francisco Conservatory of Music
  • Boston Conservatory at Berklee
  • DePaul University

Our Arts Areas & Academics

Interlochen Arts Academy offers seven arts disciplines and a robust academic curriculum with college preparatory, advanced placement (AP), and college credit courses. Get ready to be challenged. Get ready to be inspired.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Interlochen Arts Academy is dedicated to making world-class arts education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds. For this reason, we offer both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships to families. Together, these opportunities help ensure that passionate, dedicated students can pursue their artistic and academic dreams at Interlochen.

Explore Options

Interlochen Arts Academy

Interdisciplinary. Interactive. Interwoven.

At Interlochen Arts Academy, transformation and opportunities happen everywhere—from the classroom to your residence hall, from the studio to the stage. Our holistic, integrated academic and arts education prepares you for a life of purpose and promise within—and beyond—the arts. Learn more about The Interlochen 5.

Two students and a faculty member look at a tomato during ecology class

Academic Life

Balance Intellectual Pursuit and Personal Growth

You’ll get an education that’s intellectually rigorous but so much more. Our academics emphasize the importance of creativity, empathy, resilience, and connection. Skills that will serve you well in college—and in life. Our Liberal Arts and Math & Science departments include courses like Algebra, English, History, Physics, World Languages, Chemistry, and Agricultural Science, in addition to AP programs, college credit courses, and much more.

Two Interlochen Arts Academy students scale the climbing wall at the Dennison Center

Residence Life

Immerse Yourself in a One-of-a-Kind Environment

You'll be inspired by the natural beauty of our campus and invigorated by our state-of-the-art facilities. You'll live in a passionate community that fosters and values constant creativity, collaboration, communication, and real-life experience. In addition, you'll have a whole lot of fun with classmates who will challenge, support, and value you and become your lifelong friends along the way.

Students relax in the Music Center lounge between classes at Interlochen Arts Academy

Artistic Life

Do What You Love, Better than Before

Here, you’ll find a high school for art that provides opportunity to master your discipline: from superior equipment and resources, to personalized instruction from teaching artists who excel in their fields. You’ll practice, perfect, and perform your art constantly with teachers whose passion and experience help you build a foundation for excellence.

Student Spotlight

Meet Bianca

11th Grader / Beijing, China

Interlochen is like a second home to me, and the opportunities here are simply endless. Not only has it helped me grow as an artist but also as a person, and I’m extremely grateful for it.

Bianca's Class Schedule

AP Calculus
Civic Engagement
Ecology
Music Theory III
Fundamentals of Mixing
English III: Writing About the Arts
Leadership and Management in the Arts
Individual and Collaborative Studio
Greenacres Collective

Clubs & Activities

  • Student Representative Board
  • Philanthropy Team
  • Admissions Ambassador
  • Tennis

An Exceptional Four-Year Journey

The Interlochen experience is a vibrant journey of creativity and camaraderie. We offer remarkable advocacy and support for all our students, particularly for our younger 9th and 10th graders, as they pursue their interests, passions, and goals both within and beyond high school.

Learn More

Three students walk across a fall campus

By the Numbers

82%

of 2024 graduates enrolled at a top 50 college

$56M

in college scholarships were earned by our 2024 senior class

51

Presidential Scholars graduated from Interlochen

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Out Our Viewbook

Step 2: Fill Out Your Application

Step 3: Upload Your Audition/Portfolio

Step 4: Review & Submit

Step 5: Apply for Financial Aid

Step 6: Schedule a Time to Connect


Arts Academy Concerts & Events
May
7

Interdisciplinary Arts, Academy Student

Interdisciplinary Arts: Annual Projects

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Phoenix Theatre FREE, no tickets required

May
8

Interdisciplinary Arts, Academy Student

Interdisciplinary Arts: Annual Projects

Thursday, May 8, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Phoenix Theatre FREE, no tickets required

May
9

Film & New Media, Academy Student

Cinelochen Film Festival

Friday, May 9, 2025 - 7 p.m. ET

DeRoy Center for Film Studies FREE, no tickets required

Arts Academy News & Features

The 2023 Tony Award
Interlochen alumni earn nominations for 78th annual Tony Awards

Director Michael Arden, set designer Dane Laffrey, and composer Benjamin Velez are among an exceptional cohort of nominees for Broadway’s most coveted prize.

Derek Brockington
Dance Theatre of Harlem Company Artist Derek Brockington to deliver 63rd Interlochen Arts Academy commencement address

A 2015 graduate of the Academy, Brockington performed with the Grand Rapids Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet before joining Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2018.

An elderly woman, stylishly dressed, teaches a class of dance students.
Renowned dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp shares wit, wisdom with Arts Academy students

Reflecting on how Ms. Tharp transformed her perspectives on dance, one student calls the experience “the chance of a lifetime.”

Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Academy with a free viewbook

In our free informational viewbook, you'll learn more about: 

  • Each of our seven arts areas 
  • Renowned faculty 
  • College-preparatory academics 
  • Student resources 
  • How to apply and financial aid information 
  • And more

See what you can experience at Interlochen.

Come to an arts high school where young creatives thrive—and see how your unique journey unfolds. Plan your visit, request more information, or apply to Interlochen Arts Academy today.