So many young artists find it difficult to nurture their art skills in regular high schools, because, such schools might focus solely on academic programs that wouldn’t be great at improving the skills of the student. This is why knowing the best performing arts high schools in the world is crucial, so as to help such students to enroll into high quality schools that will get the best out of their amazing talents or art skills.
Performing arts high schools gives students the opportunity to learn performing arts along with academic courses. They are the best option for students who have interest in dance, music, and theatre.
Before you choose to enroll in a performing arts high school, you need to be sure you have artistic talents. This is because most performing arts high schools audition prospective students before they give out admission.
Table of Contents
What are Performing Arts?
Performing Arts includes a range of creative activity that are performed in front of an audience, including drama, music and dance.
People who participate in performing arts in front of an audience are called “performers”. For example, comedians, dancers, magicians, musicians, and actors.
Performing Arts is divided into three main parts:
- Theatre
- Dance
- Music.
Differences between Performing Arts High Schools and Regular High Schools
Performing High Schools’ curriculum combines training in performing arts with rigorous academic courses. Students are allowed to choose from a variety of majors: Dance, Music, and Theatre.
WHILE
Regular High Schools’ curriculum focus more on academic courses. Students may be able to learn performing arts through elective courses or extracurricular activities.
20 Best Performing Arts High Schools in the World
Below is the list of 20 best performing arts high school in the World:
- Los Angeles County High Schools for the Arts
- Idyllwild Arts Academy
- Interlochen Arts Academy
- Burlington Royal Arts Academy
- Etobicoke School of the ArtsÂ
- Walnut School of the Arts
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts
- Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts
- Rosedale Heights School of the Arts
- New World School of the Arts
- Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
- The Brit School
- Arts Educational Schools
- The Hammond School
- Sylvia Young Theatre School
- Tring Park School for the Performing Arts
- UK Theatre School
- Canada Royal Arts High School
- Wells Cathedral School
- Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts.
1. Los Angeles County High Schools for the Arts (LACHSA)
Location: Los Angeles, California, US
Los Angeles County High Schools for the Arts is a top-ranked tuition-free public high school for students who have interest in visual and performing arts.
LACHSA offers a specialized program combining college-preparatory academic instruction and conservatory-style training in the visual and performing arts.
L.A. County High Schools for the Arts offer specialized programs in five departments: Cinematic Arts, Dance, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts.
Admission to LACHSA is based on an audition or portfolio review process. LACHSA accepts students in Grades 9 to 12.
2. Idyllwild Arts Academy
Location: Idyllwild, California, US
Idyllwild Arts Academy is a private boarding arts high school, previously known as Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts.
The Idyllwild Arts Academy serves students in grades 9 to 12 and also offer postgraduate programs.
It provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.
At Idyllwild Arts Academy, students can choose a major in these areas: Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Creative Writing, Film & Digital Media, InterArts, and Fashion Design.
Audition or Portfolio presentation is part of the Academy’s admission requirements. Students must audition, present a departmental essay or portfolio relevant in his of her art discipline.
Idyllwild Arts Academy offer need-based scholarships, that covers tuition, room and board.
3. Interlochen Arts Academy
Location: Michigan, US
Interlochen Arts Academy is one of the top-ranked art high schools in America. The Academy accepts students in grades 3 to 12, as well as adults of ages.
Interlochen offers academic programs along with a lifetime arts education programs.
Students can choose from any of these majors: Creative Writing, Dance, Film & New Media, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music, Theatre (Acting, Musical theatre, Design & Production), and Visual Arts.
Audition and/or portfolio review is the most important part of application process. Each major has different audition requirements.
Interlochen Arts Academy offer both merit-based and need-based assistance to domestic and international students.
4. Burlington Royal Arts Academy (BRAA)
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Burlington Royal Arts Academy is a private secondary school, focused on encouraging students to pursue their artistic passion while obtaining their secondary education.
BRAA offers provincial academic curriculum, along with art programs in these areas: Dance, Dramatic Arts, Media Arts, Instrumental music, Vocal music, and Visual Arts.
The Academy gives students the opportunity to study academic courses and choose to pursue any of the Academy’s art programs.
Audition or Interview is part of the admission process.
5. Etobicoke School of the Arts (ESA)
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Etobicoke School of the Arts is a specialized public arts-academic high school, serves students in Grades 9 to 12.
Founded in 1981, Etobicoke School of the Arts is one of the oldest, free standing arts-focused high school in Canada.
At Etobicoke School of the Arts, students major in these areas: Dance, Drama, Film, Music Board or Strings, Music, Theatre or Contemporary Arts, along with a rigorous academic curriculum.
Audition is part of the admission process. Each major has different audition requirements. Applicants may audition for one or two majors.
6. Walnut High Schools for the Arts
Location: Natick, Massachusetts, US
Walnut High School for the Arts is an independent boarding and day high school. Established in 1893, the school serves student artists in grades 9 to 12, with a postgraduate year.
Walnut High School for the Arts offer intensive, pre-professional artistic training and a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum.
It offer artistic training in dance, music, theatre, visual art, and writing, future & media arts.
Prospective students must submit a completed application before an audition or portfolio review. Each art department has different audition requirements.
Walnut High School for the Arts offer need-based financial aid awards to students.
7. The Chicago Academy for the Arts
Location: Chicago, Illinois, US
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a nationally recognized independent high school for the performing and visual arts.
At the Chicago Academy for the Arts, students master the skills necessary for academic success, critical thought, and creative expression.
The Academy gives students the opportunity to engage in professional-level arts training, along with a rigorous, college-preparatory academic classes.
Audition of portfolio review is part of the admission process. Each arts department has specific audition or portfolio review requirements.
The Academy supports students with need-based assistance each year.
8. Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts is a public high school, that provides artistic education. It serves students in grades 9 to 12.
Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts offer professional level artistic training, along with a strong academic, athletic, and technological program.
It offer art programs in three options: Visual & Media Arts, Performing Arts, Arts & Culture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM).
9. Rosedale Heights School of the Arts (RHSA)
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rosedale Heights School of the Arts is an arts-based high school, where students can thrive in academics, arts, and sports.
RSHA believes that all young people should have access to arts even without talents in arts. As a result, Rosedale is the only arts school in Toronto District School Board that does not audition.
Also, Rosedale does not expect students to choose majors and encourage interdisciplinary exploration of the arts in the hood that students discover their own interests.
Rosedale’s mission is to prepare students for university or college through challenging academic programs, with an emphasis on the performing and visual arts.
Rosedale Heights School of the Arts serves students in Grades 9 to 12.
10. New World School of the Arts
Location: Miami, Florida, US
New World School of the Arts is a public magnet high school and college, offers artistic training along with a rigorous academic program.
NWSA offers dual-enrollmebt programs in the visual and performing arts, in these areas: visual arts, dance, theatre, and music.
NWSA accepts students from the ninth grade in high school through a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Music College degrees.
Admission to NWSA is determined by a preference audition or a portfolio review. NWSA’s acceptance policy is based solely on artistic talent.
New World School of the Arts provide students with merit and leadership-based scholarships.
11. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA)
Location: Dallas, Texas, US
Booker T. Washington HSPA is a public secondary school located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas.
The school prepares students to explore an artistic career, along with a rigorous academic programs.
Students have the opportunity to select a major in: dance, music, visual arts, or theatre.
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts serves students in Grades 9 to 12. Students must audition and interview to be admitted.
12. The Brit School
Location: Croydon, England
The Brit School is a leading performing arts and creative arts school in the UK, and is completely free to attend.
BRIT provide education in: Music, Film, Digital Design, Community Arts, Visual Arts and Design, Production and Performing Arts, along with a full academic program of GCSEs and A levels.
The BRIT School accepts students between the ages of 14 and 19. Enter into the school is at age 14, after the completion of Key Stage 3, or at age 16 after completion of GCSEs.
13. Arts Educational Schools (ArtsEd)
Location: Chiswick, London
Arts Ed is one of the top Drama schools in the UK, offering performing arts training for Day School Sixth Form to degree courses.
Arts Educational School combines vocational training in Dance, Drama, and Music, with extensive academic curriculum.
For the sixth form, ArtsEd offer a number or means-tested scholarships based on exceptional talent.
14. The Hammond School
Location: Chester, England
The Hammond School is a specialist school in performing arts, accepts students from year 7 to degree level.
It offers full-time performing arts training for students across school, college and degree courses.
The Hammond School offer performing arts training along with academic program.
15. Sylvia Young Theatre School (SYTS)
Location: London, England
Sylvia Young Theatre School is a specialist perform arts school, offering a high level of academic and vocational studies.
The Sylvia Young Theatre School provide training in two options: Full time school and Part-time Classes.
Full Time School: For students between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Students join full-time school after successfully completing the audition process.
Part-time Classes: SYTS is committed to providing high-quality part-time training for students aged 4 to 18 years old.
SYTS also offer acting classes for adults (18+).
16. Tring Park School for the Performing Arts
Location: Tring, England
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts is a performing arts boarding and day school, offering high-quality education for 7 to 19 yrs old.
At Tring Park School, students are given rigorous training in the performing arts: Dance, Commercial Music, Music Theatre and Acting, combined with an extensive academic program.
All applicants are required to attend an entrance audition for the school.
17. UK Theatre School
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
UK Theatre School is an independent performing arts academy. UKTS provides students with a structured, comprehensive performing arts syllabus.
UK Theatre School offers a variety of programs for all different ages, capabilities and interests.
Students are required to audition before they can be admitted. Auditions can either be an open audition or private audition.
UK Theatre School SCIO can offer full scholarships, part-scholarships, bursaries and donations.
18. Canada Royal Arts High School (CIRA High School)
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Canada Royal Arts High School is an interactive arts-based high school for Grades 8 to 12.
CIRA High School offer performing arts program, with an academic curriculum.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to partake in an interview to determine eligibility and assess students’ needs.
19. Wells Cathedral School
Location: Wells, Somerset, England
Wells Cathedral School is one of the five specialist musical schools for school-age children in the UK.
It accepts students between the ages of 2 and 18 in different school stages: Litte Wellies Nursery, Junior School, Senior School, and Sixth Form.
Well Cathedral School offers specialist music pre-professional training. It offer a wide range of financial awards in the form of scholarships.
20. Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts is an independent day school for students in Grades 3 to 12.
It offers professional performing arts training and high-quality academic education.
At Hamilton Academy, senior students have the opportunity to choose from 3 streams: Academic stream, Ballet stream, and Theatre Arts stream. All streams include academic courses.
Audition is part of the Hamilton Academy admission requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between performing arts and visual arts?
Performing arts is a form of creative activity that is performed in front of an audience, which includes drama, music, and dance. Visual Arts includes the use of paint, canvas or various materials to create art objects. For example, painting, sculpturing, and drawing.
What is the best performing arts boarding high school in America?
According to Niche, Idyllwild Arts Academy is best boarding high school for arts, after which comes Interlochen Arts Academy.
Do Performing Arts High Schools offer financial assistance to students?
Yes, performing arts high schools provide students with financial aid awards based on need and/or merit.
Do Students learn academic courses in Performing Arts High Schools?
Yes, students combine artistic training in performing arts with rigorous academic curriculum.
What Jobs can I do in Performing Arts?
You can purse a career as an actor, choreographer, dancer, music producer, theatre director, or scriptwriter.
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Conclusion
Unlike regular traditional high schools, performing arts school groom students in arts and also make sure they excel academically.
After graduating from performing arts high schools, you can either choose to continue your education in art schools or regular schools. Most colleges and universities offer performing arts programs.
Would you rather go to a performing arts school or a regular high school? Let us know your thoughts in the Comment Section.
