Interlochen Center For the Arts

As a professional educational administrator at a large and highly regarded public high school, I would have to agree that the Interlochen Arts Academy goes off the scale. My son attended the IAC summer arts camp in '08 and knew by day two that he was meant to be at Interlochen. He auditioned for the Academy during the summer and was accepted. He's graduating in May of '09 as a cello major. The IAA has literally changed his life. He has had opportunities that are just impossible to duplicate anywhere else. (It is, of course, entirely proper to expect exceptional things from a high school that charges about the same tuition as Stanford. It is worth every penny. There is no better education for talented young artists.) more

...but as a professional educational administrator, I think I have to agree that the Interlochen Arts Academy is probably the best high school in the world. My son attended the IAC summer camp in '08 and quickly realized that Interlochen was where he was meant to be. He auditioned and was accepted to the IAA and will graduate in May '09 as a cello major. Attending Interlochen was the most important and significant thing he has done to date. (Of course, one has a right to expect great things from a high school that charges essentially the same tuition as Stanford. It is, however, worth every penny. The opportunities for young artists are simply amazing.) more

This last week I went up to Interlochen Arts Acadamy in upstate Michigan. I applied for theatre and creative writing, thinking of spending 07-08 there. This school completely threw me a loop. I was SOO anamored I decided to go next year if at all posible, and demote myself to Freshman, so I could stay four years. Beware: this school is not for the faint of heart. They work you like a dog. But if it's what you want, Its worth it. more

I attended the Interlochen Arts Camp back in high school as a budding musician, and I have always looked back on that time fondly. They provide a lot of great experiences and challenges for the high school actors, dancers, visual artists and musicians. They get to meet and interact not only with other talented students from all over the world, but also with some world-class conductors, performers and teachers. It is a great way for kids to figure out whether they want to pursue their chosen art form as a major in college or whether they want to keep it as a hobby. The performing groups and theatrical productions are generally at a MUCH higher level than any of these students will be able to able to find back home. A bit of craziness goes on, but in general the students are pretty well supervised. It is definitely not cheap, but it may be worth it for the seriously artistic student's development. more