Idyllwild Arts Academy - Review #15

The school is highly international, so my closest friends were from all over the world. The diversity created a really unique class dynamic with perspectives I never would've thought of. The arts focus was also definitely unique - I spent half the day in academic classes, and half the day in arts, and both were valued equally.

Our senior prank was pretty great- we broke into the classrooms, filled them with chickens, and took out all the furniture, and re arranged it outside to block cars from coming. I've learned to become a deeper thinker, a better friend, and a more conscious citizen of the world.

I was a day student.

Recently, I was at a party in Los Angeles talking to the kids I would have gone to high school with, and they asked me about one girl they had seen on Instagram, that had been expelled from the school. They asked me if I thought she should've been, and I said, "of course. She wasn't passionate about her art." (She didn't get expelled for her art, but this was a side note) They looked at me really confused, and I realized that in most schools to judge someone based off their character and dedication to art, rather than just what outfit they wore, was unheard of. The student community at Idyllwild values people based off of how hardworking and driven they are, instead of how much money someone has or who they kissed, and I think this is incredibly unique in a teenage environment.

Go to Environmental Club! Go up to the point at night time and look up at the stars, or to the astronomy tower. The first month of school you will panic, and think you can't do it, and the last month of school before you graduate you will wish it would never end.

The classes are largely discussion based, so you get a lot of unique perspectives from everyone. The desks are U-shaped, so that everyone can see each other and share their ideas. Students were mostly encouraged to question the ideas presented and I definitely learned how to hold my own in a discussion or debate at IAA, and formulate my ideas clearly.

There isn't really an athletics program at IAA.

In visual arts, I liked how there was such a focus on the conceptual side of art. In my painting and photography classes, we did focus on technique, but we were taught to be aware of what we were trying to say with our art, versus than just focusing on what looked coolest. In theatre, I liked the sense of community in the department.

If you want to make a club, then great, you can make it. In my sophomore year, my friend and I decided to make an environmental club, and right away we had teachers volunteering to advise us. We were strongly supported and even had trips arranged to our food sources two hours away. If you take initiative, you can get a lot done.

I was a day student.

There is a fresh salad bar with really good options if you don't want whatever they are serving at the hot food bar. I always got enough sustenance and Chris, the head cook, is really hard working and dedicated to creating delicious and good quality food. It gets better every year.

The town is very friendly, and the environment surrounding it and the school is incredible. We used to leave some academic classrooms and walk down to the creek, or meadow, on the edge of campus to discuss whatever topic we are learning. The nature surrounding me made a wonderful environment that gave me perspective and insight through my academic and artistic struggles.

Idyllwild Arts is the island of misfit toys. I met the weirdest, funniest, and kindest group of people I think I ever will. Going to Idyllwild Arts, you have to already be passionate about art and learning, or become that way fast, and so being around so many people dedicated to developing their artistic and world perspectives pushed me to deepen my own thinking.