Receive the instruction you need to grow as an artist—and as an individual. – Explore academic and artistic courses designed for artists in grades 9-12, or continue your training with a post-graduate year. – Spend half of the school day immersed in the art of your choice: Music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, film and new media, or interdisciplinary arts. – Study with professional artists with real-world experience. – Engage in college preparatory academics developed with the emerging artist in mind. – Showcase your work through regular concerts, performances, exhibitions, and readings. – Prepare for auditions and discover your path forward with guidance from professional academic and college counselors. – Enjoy a vibrant residential community that fosters life skills, health and wellness, and lifelong friendships. National awards including YoungArts and Scholastic are achieved by Academy students each year, and Interlochen has produced 46 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, more than any other high school in the country, public or private. Part of Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy is a 2006 recipient of the National Medal of Arts, and was recognized in 2019 as a Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Summary: With a curriculum that balances accelerated academic instruction with intensive artistic studies, Interlochen prepares students for future success in any field. Courses provide a holistic approach to learning that fosters students’ creativity and helps them develop as citizens and artists. Students benefit from personalized attention, excellent teaching, and peer and professional tutoring.
Department Director Camille Colatosti
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 89
Number of AP Courses Offered: 2
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 87%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Does anyone have any information about the Interlochen Arts Academy?
I cant say enough about the outstanding theatre arts program instuction our son received at Interlochen. He was able to develop as a total person, socially, academically and emotionally. I would recommend sending a student to this boarding school who had a passion for their art form, an inner academic motivation and ability (B+s & As in current academic setting), socially stable, a student who enjoys giving back to its community and a willingness to be teachable. It is important to consider attending both junior and senior year…
Both schools are wonderful – it really depends on your focus.
There are a lot of summer programs out there if you want more of a studying approach, programs such as the Stanford Summer Program or the Brown Summer Program focus on the study of art and writing with specific courses. Every student is different, but no matter which summer program or camp you choose, it’s important to research as many as you can to find the perfect fit.
Use this Summer Program list to explore the never-ending options. It’s important you find a way to spend your summer that not only excites you but prepares you for when it comes time to apply to school. The Interlochen Summer Arts Camp has various courses, electives, and even a college fair, proving they are dedicated to helping students prepare for college and get into the college of their choice.
Continue reading to find out more about the many options Interlochen Summer Arts Camp offers, as well as all of the other great opportunities Interlochen has.
Interlochen was founded in 1928 because there weren’t a lot of schools with music programs. It all started when the National Association for Music Education founder asked the founder of Interlochen, Joseph E. Maddy to gather 200 high school music students to make a national high school honor orchestra, The National High School Orchestra Camp began its first summer in 1928.
It became more and more successful over the years, in 1930 concerts were broadcast on CBS and NBC radios, in 1939 they performed at the New York World’s Fair, and in 1962 the Interlochen Arts Academy opened, and a year later the WIAA, a public radio station opened as well. In 1964 the Interlochen Arts Festival was created and in 2004 the Interlochen College of Creative Arts.
Go in-depth into the Interlochen timeline here.
The Interlochen Summer Arts Camp resides in Michigan. Thousands of students, musicians, and artists visit Interlochen each year to study, perform, connect, and more. The campus itself is 15 miles southwest of Traverse City, its 1,200 acres in between two lakes. Learn more about nearby Traverse City here, as well as view a campus map here.
The Core Purpose of Interlochen Summer Arts Camp is “to ignite a lifelong passion for the arts.”
Interlochen’s Core Values are
Interlochen’s mission is to engage and inspire people worldwide through excellence in educational, artistic, and cultural programs, enhancing the quality of life through the universal language of the arts.
Summer Arts Camps
The Interlochen Summer Arts Camp aims to encourage students from second to twelfth grade to explore various types of arts, there are different goals depending on the grade level of the student, from junior to intermediate to high school, but there are courses for all different interests and genres.
No matter the level, some programs can be more competitive to get into than others due to portfolio or audition requirements, it’s important you’re prepared when applying to the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp.
That’s where we come in, at AdmissionSight we offer various services that help you prepare, like the Pre-High School Consultation, for the Intermediate programs. We can help you take the preliminary steps early so that when you get to the application time for Intermediate programs, you’re ready.
We can also help provide an Academic and Extracurricular Profile Evaluation to create a roadmap for your academic and extracurricular time, which can put you on the right path for summer programs. All in all, if you have any questions or need assistance, contact us.
PART 1: Classical Performance & Composition Summer Programs
I have selected the next 6 programs on this list based on the following:
– Faculty are either professionals in major music organizations, such as opera houses or symphonic orchestras, and/or faculty at major music colleges.
– Alumni of the programs consistently place into top conservatories and university music schools.
– The musical offerings at the institute are superb.
– Reputation is exceptionally favorable.
– Students are consistently happy with their experiences at the programs.
Learning Support
Foreign Languages
Religion / Philosophy
Humanities / Social Sciences
Computer Studies
Performing / Visual Arts
Special Programs
Number of Dorms: 8
Average Students Per Dorm: 80
Number of Girls Dorms: 5
Number of Boys Dorms: 3
Dorm Amenities
For more information about life on campu,s please visit: academy.interlochen.org/department/residence-life
Recreation Room w/ Pool Table; Yoga Studio; Weight Room with free weights-ellipticals and treadmills; For more information on athletic activities and facilities, please visit: interlochen.org/facilities/Dennison-Center
Clubs & Organizations
Arts & Athletics
Summary: Interlochen Arts Academy is one of the nations leading fine arts boarding high schools, providing 550 talented, international students with supportive guidance from educational and industry professionals in comparative arts, creative writing, dance, motion picture arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Fostering collaboration across disciplines, Interlochen affords its students the opportunity to learn and live and study with creative young artists of diverse cultures and backgrounds, creating a safe and encouraging community of artists. Developing a healthy balance between mind and body, Interlochen encourages and supports health and athletic awareness among its staff, faculty and students. The new Dennison Recreation Center is a 23,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to providing fitness opportunities to all members of the Interlochen family.
Arts Department Director: Camille Colatosti
Athletics Department Director: David Tanis
Interscholastic Sports
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 96%
| Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | |||
| 75th percentile |
Notable Alumni
Jewel
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter
Aaron Dworkin
Arts Leader and MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient
Janet Eilber
Artistic Director Martha Graham Resources
Steve Goodman
Conservation Biologist and MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient
Kimiko Glenn
Actress Orange is the New Black””
Steve Hayden
Former Vice Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide
Doug Stanton
New York Times Best-Selling Author
Vince Gilligan
Creator Breaking Bad””
Peter Erskine
Grammy-Winning Jazz Artist
Quotes From Alumni“Interlochen saved my life. It was a profound turning-around experience for me and it really helped set the stage for the life that I’ve had in the performing arts.” -Aaron Dworkin, Class of 1988, Arts Leader and MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient“I grew up so much at Interlochen and found so much of myself on that campus.” -Betty Who, Class of 2010, pop snger“Interlochen was without question or exception the foremost crucible of training identification creative identity and personal acceptance of my entire life.” -Alexandra Silber, Class of 2001, Broadway star
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 53%
Average Merit Scholarship: 9,424
Current Endowment Amount: $92,526,665
Interested in Interlochen Arts Academy?
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 504
Total Day: 41
Total Enrollment: 545
Boys: 194
Girls: 351
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School, Post-grad
Dress Code: Other
Applications Accepted: Contact School
Application Deadline: January 1st
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $68,900
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $38,900
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Awarded: $32,675
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 53%
Average Merit Scholarship: $9,424
Current Endowment Amount: $92,526,665
Director of Admissions: Katherine Luellen
Admissions Phone: 231 276 7472
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