Prepare to be surprised in the best way by life at Idyllwild Arts Academy. Our faculty, staff, and students share the common goal of creating an environment that will help you grow artistically, intellectually, and personally. Your studies will be complemented by a full schedule of social activities: concerts, exhibits, readings, other cultural events, weekend trips to Los Angeles and San Diego; and exercise at our indoor facilities as well as in our glorious outdoor campus setting.
The mission of Student Services at Idyllwild Arts Academy is to ensure the health and safety of our community while teaching the importance of time management, interpersonal relationships, and individual accountability. Our residential life curriculum teaches practical skills of healthy living, fosters an environment of cooperation, trustworthiness, fun, and provides enrichment for personal growth.
Food Service
Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program are partnered with CulinArt Group to bring culturally diverse cuisine and nutritious dining experiences to our students, their families, and staff. With over 20 years of impeccable food safety, our 5 certified food safety managers and well trained culinary team are moving towards a revitalized “hands free” meal service with even more exquisite food safety goals in mind. Look for our new and exciting menus this Fall.
A comment/suggestion box is always available in the dining hall for student comments. Surveys are conducted to assess satisfaction with the food service and to collect ideas for improvement. Students who have dietary or other restrictions for religious reasons should notify the school during the admission process. Meal times are announced and posted during student orientation and whenever changes in the schedule are necessary.
Guidelines which apply to the dining hall to ensure it is a safe and clean place to eat are as follows:
- All students are expected to be dressed appropriately in the dining hall. Health and safety regulations require that a shirt and shoes be worn in all buildings. Multiple hand washing stations are located at the entrance to the dining hall.
- Students may have as many helpings as they like but will be served only one portion at a time.
- When using the salad bar or any shared serving bowl or plate, students must use tongs or forks.
- Sandwiches or small servings should always be carried on a plate, not in the hand.
- Trays, cups, glasses, dishes, and silverware may not be removed from the dining hall at any time.
- Food may not be taken out of the dining hall except at lunchtime when students may take two pieces of fresh fruit.
- Students must clean up after themselves.
The Bookstore
The campus bookstore sells textbooks, snacks, as well as school, art, and personal supplies.
Internet
Idyllwild Arts has an extensive campus-wide high speed WiFi internet system.
Student ID Cards
All students are issued an ID card. The card must be worn on a lanyard or clipped to student’s clothes and be clearly visible any time they are outside of their dorm.
Students are able to send outgoing mail from the school, and mail is delivered to their individual mailboxes Monday through Friday.
All student mail should be addressed to:
(Student’s Name)
Dormitory name and room number
Idyllwild Arts Academy
52500 Temecula Drive #38
Idyllwild, CA 92549
UPS and Fed Ex pick up and deliver packages daily. If students need to ship belongings, they may do so in the mail room across the street from Nelson Dining Hall.
Health Services
A certified medical professional is available for student care 24 hours a day. Our Health Center is open from 6:30 AM to 10 PM Monday through Friday. The Health Center is equipped with beds for students to use during open hours. After 10 PM, students return to their dormitories where they are looked after by their dorm parents. Any time the Health Center is closed, an “on call” nurse is available to respond to any emergencies unless they are considered contagious and must be isolated from the community.
A private medical clinic in Idyllwild is minutes away from the school campus. Students will be taken to the clinic by health center personnel if they need to see a physician or nurse practitioner. Appointments can also be arranged for students for specialist care. Please contact the Health Center at extension 2275 to make arrangements if specialized care is required. If an appointment is missed by a student, the parents may be held financially responsible, depending on the practitioner’s missed appointment policy.
Idyllwild Arts requires Hepatitis A and Meningococcal vaccines, in addition to those mandated by the State of California listed here. These are diseases that can quickly spread in close quarters and as we’re a boarding school, it’s important we do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of all our students.
Hospital and Emergency Services
Although the closest available emergency care is in Hemet, half an hour away by ambulance, students may be taken to other emergency care facilities, depending on the situation. Ambulance and paramedic services are available locally. Parents will be notified by Health Center staff or Student Services staff whenever an emergency situation arises. In the event of hospitalization, a parent or guardian is required at bedside as soon as possible to assist with student care.
Student Illness Procedure
Any student who is ill must report to a nurse in the Health Center. Students who are too sick to walk to the Health Center must email or call the nurses, or let their dorm parents know they are sick. If a student presents with flu-like symptoms and a fever of 100.4 F (38.0 C) or above, the student must remain in the Health Center infirmary until they have been fever-free for 24 hours. Medical absences for day students must be reported before 8 AM on the day of the absence.
Students who are exempted from class for illness may not participate in school activities until they have received permission from the school nurse.
Counseling
Counseling is available by school counselors free of charge for any student. The counselor’s offices are located in the Health Center. Students may be self-referred or referred by parents, teachers, dorm parents, advisors, or other students. It is the goal of the counseling staff to provide support and to work with students to identify goals, and help the students work towards those goals. If needed, the counselor will make outside referrals for more specialized treatment support and options.
Counseling office hours are Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and a school counselor is always available after hours on an on-call basis.
Transportation
The Transportation Department ensures that students are transported safely to and from medical and dental appointments, music lessons, performances, and activities. We do not provide transportation for non-essential trips off campus.
Before hiring new drivers, all candidates are screened carefully. Idyllwild Arts hires only those individuals who can demonstrate a safe driving record with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Once hired, our drivers participate in a classroom driver training course and practical road test, certified by the National Safety Council, and continue to receive regular emergency and practical training throughout their employment. A fleet of well-maintained AWD vans is available for the purpose of transporting our students throughout the school year. Added safety precautions are taken during the more harsh winter months. We are fully insured, and meet the standards of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Transportation to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario (ONT),and Palm Springs (PSP) airports is provided for a fee of $125 -$250 per person, each way. At all other times, transportation to and from any other destination is provided for a fee of up to $1 per mile. Under extenuating circumstances (e.g., unavailable drivers or vans or unavoidable scheduling difficulties or conflicts), IAA reserves the right to use public transportation or private transportation vendors (e.g., taxi or airport shuttle) and the student will be billed at the taxi or shuttle company’s rate. All student transportation not required by the School, including transportation to and from medical and dental appointments, is billed to the student’s account.
Students using private transportation or ride-sharing services must get permission through REACH and check out with Log Lodge or a dorm parent before leaving campus. Failure to obtain permission will generally result in the car service being turned away at the entrance to campus.The Assistant Dean of Students (ext. 2263) manages student transportation.
Away Permission
In order for a student to leave school for any reason, parents must give their permission in the REACH system and the reason for the absence to the Student Services Coordinator. Students may request an away permission and an email will be sent for approval to the parent as well as the student’s Department Chair regarding the away permission request.
Students will be excused for medical, religious, or family emergency reasons and for school approved auditions. The student will have the opportunity to make up homework missed, although it may be impossible to make up work that was done in class. It is the student’s responsibility to consult the instructor regarding work that was missed. A student may be denied away permission if he or she has not met all academic, arts, dormitory, and disciplinary commitments. Absences due to early departure or late return from school vacations will not be excused.
Parents must contact the Student Services Coordinator by 12:00 PM PST on Wednesday in order to request away permission for their child for the weekend. The school always reserves the right to deny permission if it feels that the safety and well-being of a student is in jeopardy, such as: spending the night in a hotel unchaperoned or spending the weekend at a home in which the parents are not present.
Student Activities
Boarders are strongly encouraged to remain at school on the weekends and participate in a variety of activities, all of which are also open to day students. Activities are planned by the Director of Student Life in conjunction with other faculty members and student leaders. Activities on campus include dances, open-mic coffee houses, movie screenings, pool parties, games and competitions, and open houses in the dorms.
Other activities include trips to museums, concerts, theatre productions, amusement parks, beaches, ski areas, skating rinks, shopping malls, movie theatres, sporting events, and many other cultural and recreational activities. Some trips may include a community service component. All students and parents are invited to suggest possible trip destinations and should do so by contacting the Director of Student Life at ext. 2226. Students who sign up for off-campus trips are charged according to the cost of that event, including transportation, entrance fees, tickets, and other related expenses. In most cases, students should bring pocket money on off-campus trips to cover food and incidentals.
Student Government
The IAA Student Council is composed of one student from each grade level, in addition to an international representative and senior class president. The student council helps share ideas, interests, and concerns of the students with school administration. Elections take place in the spring preceding the next school year so that newly elected representatives will be ready to begin service in the fall, with the exception of the Freshman representative who is elected in early October. Other students are welcome to attend and participate in student government meetings.
Prefect Program
The IAA prefect is a student leader who facilitates the personal, interpersonal, and intellectual growth of peers while developing a safe and inclusive living-learning community that fosters global citizenship. Prefects are role models across campus and exemplify: observance of school rules, effective communication, honesty, healthy sleep habits and self-care, class attendance, room cleanliness and hygiene, stress management, conflict resolution, work ethic, and an attitude of open, caring and inclusiveness toward all members of the IAA community.
Prefects are returning students who have shown leadership potential, dependability, and integrity and have been chosen to work closely with faculty members to govern the dorms and serve as a liaison between the student body and the dorm parents. There is approximately one prefect assigned to every ten students. Prefects attend regular meetings with the dorm parents on their team to discuss all matters related to their dorms. In addition, they work with the Director of Student Life to plan weekend activities both on and off campus.
In Loco Parentis
In connection with its supervisory role, Idyllwild Arts Academy may from time to time be called upon to make decisions, sign documents, and otherwise act in the place of a parent or parents (in loco parentis – from the Latin), exercising the rights, duties, and responsibilities which would otherwise be exercised by a parent were the parent present at the time.
The Idyllwild Arts dormitories are designed to provide our students a “home away from home” and a welcoming, comfortable, and friendly environment in which to relax between classes, rehearsals and other student life activities.
Your dorm room is your own personal space that you are encouraged to make comfortable and decorate as you wish to reflect your individual taste. Each dormitory on campus also has a “common” room to enjoy social interaction with your fellow dorm mates.
We do our best to provide a family-like atmosphere in our dorms. There is close interaction between students and dorm parents, fostering an atmosphere of care and mutual understanding.
Faculty/Dorm Parents reside in or next to the dormitories. They are visible, available, and approachable for students. Dorm parents are responsible for the well-being of residents and the implementation of dormitory policies. Student Prefects assist in dormitory supervision. These older students provide good role modeling, experience, and leadership for the younger students.
Pierson Dorm
MacNeal Dorm
Husch Dorm
Lower Wayne Dorm
Small Dorms
Roommates
All rooms are double-occupancy. Students are assigned roommates at the beginning of the year, with student requests for roommates given careful consideration.
English-speaking students may voluntarily assist newly arriving international students with their English language skills by choosing to be their roommates. We encourage this mutually beneficial situation. Any student wishing to do so should notify the Dean of Students.
Students are encouraged to decorate their room with pictures, posters, plants, and personal objects.
Privacy
Everyone deserves a certain degree of privacy in his or her living space, and dorm parents strive to respect student privacy by knocking on doors before entering. However, a student’s dorm room is not an inviolable space. The dorms are the property of the school, and school personnel reserve the right to enter student rooms to conduct inspections and repairs. In addition, individual rooms are subject to search and special inspection if faculty suspect that a student is engaged in illegal or illicit activity. For safety reasons, students are not allowed to lock their doors when they are in their rooms, including at night when the students are sleeping. Students may not enter other students’ rooms without the express permission of the residents, and the school strongly urges all students to lock their doors when they leave their rooms for extended periods.
Quiet Hours and Curfew
Quiet hours are maintained campus-wide from 8:00 pm to 7:00 am. From 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm completing homework and other school commitments is the top priority. Once a student completes their homework they can use this protected downtime to rest, relax, or exercise. Dorm and room curfew varies from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm depending on a student’s grade level.
Sunday through Friday, all lights in the dorm should be turned off by 11:00 pm. On Saturday nights students are encouraged to use good sense and turn their lights off at a reasonable time.
Dorm Meetings
Dorm meetings are held at least once a week to discuss important information, build community, and implement our health and wellness curriculum. All residents are required to attend these meetings. The meetings may be with the entire dorm or smaller groups led by prefects, dorm parents, or faculty.
Laundry Facilities
Washers and dryers are available to students either in or next to their dorm. Students are provided with a laundry bag, and all clothes should be well marked. Students are expected to keep their clothes neat and clean.
Items to Bring
It should be noted that the Arts Academy is in a mountain environment. Idyllwild has a winter season which includes temperatures below freezing, snow, and rain. Temperatures may vary greatly daily. Since storage space is limited, extra clothes should be kept to a minimum.
Every dorm room is furnished with twin xl beds, a built-in closet, chairs, and a desk with the dimensions 42″ L x 24″ W x 30″ H.
- Warm gloves and hat
- Warm jacket and boots resistant to snow and rain
- Light jacket or sweater
- Sweat suit
- Tennis shoes/sneakers
- Shorts and tee shirts
- Swimming suit
- Alarm clock
- Telephone
- Watch
- Blankets or quilts (2)
- Comforter
- Bedspread
- Sheets, twin xl size (2)
- Pillows & pillow cases (2)
- Towels & washcloths
- Laundry bags
- Hangers
- Flashlight
- Toilet articles
- Laundry soap
- Bathroom cleaning supplies
- One roll of quarters for operating laundry machines
- Writing materials
- Study or reading lamp
- Desk supplies
- Trunk or box in which student may lock personal possessions
- Book bag or day pack (1 required)
- Instruments (music students)
- TI-83 or TI-84 calculator
- Dictionary and Thesaurus
- Laptop computer
- Intel Core i3, i5, i7 or i9 (Ivy Bridge or more recent) processor or AMD equivalent.
- At least 8GB RAM
- 802.11n, or 802.11ac Wireless capabilities.
Although the Academy maintains a computer lab, students are encouraged to bring their own computers and printers. See Student/Parent Handbook.
Items NOT To Bring
- Televisions
- Video gaming systems such as X-Box, Playstation, ect.
- Furniture that is too big for one person to carry
- Torch halogen lamps
- Skateboards and scooters
- Weapons of any kind
- Candles or incense
- Pets
- Cordless telephones (due to radio interference)
- WiFi access points
- Computer monitors larger than 32 inches
- Air Conditioners
- Microwaves
- Toaster ovens
- Space Heaters
- Cooking Appliances (such as hot pots, electric griddles, and grills, the only appliance allowed in rooms is a water kettle with an automatic shut off – students may store cooking devices in the common room kitchenette on a limited basis – due to fire safety and hygiene concerns there is no cooking allowed in dorm rooms)
Student’s Mailing & Shipping Address
Student’s Name
Idyllwild Arts Academy
52500 Temecula Road
P.O. Box 38
Idyllwild, CA 92549
For any challenge a student may experience at Idyllwild Arts, we have a staff or faculty member ready to help.
Advising
The role of the advisor is to provide support and guidance in all areas of boarding school life; review grade reports and check on classroom progress as needed; communicate with the advisees and their families regarding class work and review progress within the major. Advisors meet with their advisees at least once a week.
Faculty Office Hours
Each academic faculty member holds regularly scheduled office hours Monday through Thursday during the X-block from 10:55-11:35 a.m. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from their teachers as needed. Attendance may be mandated for any student who is struggling or needs extra help to make up missing work.
Resource Center
The Resource Center is staffed by a full-time faculty member who provides individual and small group tutoring for students needing extra support in their academic courses. A student may be assigned to the Resource Center on a regular basis by the Dean of Academics or may drop in on occasion for extra help.
SAT Review
A few weeks before the spring administration of the SATs, all juniors have the opportunity to attend a seminar dealing with the upcoming College Board examinations. The review courses familiarize students with the exam format and content. There is no SAT prep before the fall test date. Due to IAA’s late school start students who feel they require more preparation are recommended to attend summer SAT prep courses. Students may also use the SAT preparation computer program in the Computer Lab.
College Counseling
The College Counselors works directly with each senior and his/her parents. In conjunction with the faculty, they facilitate the college admission process by providing guidance in choosing appropriate colleges and/or conservatories. They also aid in obtaining and completing application materials. In addition, the arts faculty provide direction in the students’ preparation of auditions and portfolios.
Library
The 9,700 square-foot Krone Library is the school’s research facility, housing a computer center, an extensive music library and listening room, and special collections in art, dance and theatre. In addition, there are many books written especially for ESL students. The library subscribes to foreign newspapers upon request. There is a listening lab with a collection of records, discs, and tapes for students’ daily use, and faculty and students have access to eight file cabinets of music. Also, photocopiers are located in the library for both faculty and student use.
The librarian and her assistants staff the library from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday with somewhat reduced hours on the weekends.
If students need additional research material, they may use the library’s interlibrary loan service to borrow materials from California libraries that are members of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) California Resource Sharing Network (XPRS).
Practice Rooms & Studios
Practice rooms and studios are available for student use.
In order to attend Idyllwild Arts Academy as a day student, we require that the student must reside with an immediate family member who is a full-time resident of Idyllwild.
Communication
Although Day students do not live on campus, we encourage them to participate in all campus activities. We require that they attend school meetings, department meetings, and faculty advisor meetings; this will enable Day Students to stay informed on campus activities. It is the responsibility of the day student to read the announcements which are posted on campus, check their emails and to check their mailboxes in the mail room daily for announcements.
Day Student Policies
Day students may be on campus throughout the day for classes and in the evenings for rehearsals, appropriate library use, or to attend performances or exhibitions. Otherwise, there is to be no visitation after dinner on study nights. Day students are not allowed in dormitories after 7:00 PM, except on Saturdays. On those evenings they may visit until check-in time.
Lockers
Lockers are provided for Day Students and are conveniently located next to the library. Students may not supply their own locks. Locks must be obtained from Log Lodge. Individual lockers are subject to search if illegal or illicit activity is suspected.
Meals
Day students are welcome to eat all meals served in the dining hall.
Day Student Driving and Parking
The right to operate a car on campus is a privilege granted to day students only. Day students who drive to school must park in the lot below Log Lodge and are not allowed to drive around campus during the school day without permission from the Dean of Students.
Send Letters!
If you can, send the first letter before your son or daughter leaves home. You might also alert grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters that the first month away is a good time to keep those funny cards and letters arriving. If you live outside the U.S. be sure to send things air mail and to calculate the slow international mail.
The address for students at Idyllwild Arts Academy is:
P.O. Box 1758
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Making the New Room "My Place"
When packing, be sure your son or daughter includes a favorite poster, stuffed animal, scrapbook, dresser ornaments, choice possession… whatever decorates the room at home. Those bare walls and serviceable furnishings at school need to be converted to the student’s own special place as soon as possible. It is also nice to send along a starter-fund of extra allowance for a few new posters or an inexpensive bedspread. If you are coming to registration it never hurts to be an “interior decorator” for a few hours with your son or daughter.
Allowance
Your son or daughter will probably ask you for extra funds for relatively good reasons… new instrument parts, more canvas for a special painting, soap for the laundry, leotards…. You know how endless the string of requests can be. School supplies, art supplies and toiletries can be charged at the student bookstore.
The school makes a weekly allowance available to boarding students. Most students use their allowance to eat or shop in town on the weekends. We encourage no more than $20 per week; however, parents can set the amount. In addition, many parents give their students credit or debit cards for larger purchases.
It is not advisable to send cash through the mail or store large amounts of cash in dorm rooms.
Auditions
During the first days of orientation almost all students are involved in auditions for class placement levels. These are real auditions. The student must perform for the Theatre faculty, dance for the Dance department, or play for the conductor. We do our best to prepare the students for this experience and to support them if they are disappointed, but audition time is always a time of great stress for students – whether or not they are sure of their abilities.
Auditions occur throughout the year, and it is best to be sensitive to your son or daughter’s casual comment that “I’m auditioning next Saturday for that part in the play.” If he or she gets the part, you will be treated to one of those great delirious and positive phone calls. If he or she does not get the part, you might not get a phone call at all or you might be talking with a severely disappointed son or daughter. Call them if they do not call you, and if they have been disappointed give them your support and encouragement for the next chance. As artists, the students must learn to work through the disappointment of not being cast in the fall theatre production or the spring dance concert. It is a difficult but necessary part of their education.
Travel
The Department of Student Services along with the Transportation Department coordinates travel plans for all students during the fall break, winter break, spring break and end-of-the-year travel days. Parents are asked to observe the travel dates listed on the school calendar. The Transportation Office must have copies of all student itineraries for travel, even those who are being picked up by parents or taking public transportation.
Please convey all plans for travel, including requests for school transportation during vacation periods, to the Student Services Coordinator at 951.659.2171 x2516.
Storage
Students may leave their belongings in storage over the summer for a small fee. Instructions regarding summer storage will be provided by the Director of Student Life during the fourth quarter.
Family Weekend
We encourage you to join us for Family Weekend in October. This event allows you to communicate with us in the most direct way possible about what your child has been doing. It is also a time of class visitations, performances, friendly conferences and get-togethers.
Idyllwild Arts Academy is a residential high school that is global by design and proud to welcome students from all over the world. Almost half of our students are international, and although they hail from more than 30 different countries, all of them are united by their passion for artistic excellence and thrive in our welcoming, inviting and supportive community.
We know that the choice to go abroad for high school is a brave one. Most of our international students may know very little about American education and culture, and often a visit to our campus is unrealistic given the distance. We are here to help these students understand our campus, our culture, our curriculum, and our unique location so that they can make an informed decision about whether Idyllwild Arts Academy is a good fit.
About Idyllwild Arts Academy
Idyllwild Arts Academy is the country’s premiere, internationally-acclaimed residential arts high school (9th-12th; PG) which provides pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted, talented, young artists.
Idyllwild Arts Academy’s students pursue artistic excellence in Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Fashion Design, Film & Digital Media, and InterArts. Graduates of Idyllwild Arts Academy currently excel in every professional field including Broadway theater, primetime television, classical and jazz music, motion pictures, graphic design, photography and many have excelled in engineering, science, and technology.
There is no doubt that our unique, compelling and engaging “STEAM” curriculum that emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, and Mathematics produces outstanding thinkers, creators, artists, and innovators.
At Idyllwild Arts Academy, we are proud that our school is truly global. Slightly less than half of our students are international, and they come to us from dozens of different countries, united by their passion for artistic excellence.
We believe that no other high school in the United States does a better job than we do of preparing young people to find creative ways to meet the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly complex, interconnected global community.
The international parents who send their children to Idyllwild Arts Academy have made a wise choice. However, that choice is also a brave one. Most of our international parents will be separated from their children by great distances. These parents may know little about American education and culture, and, because they live too far away to visit our campus, they cannot learn about them firsthand.
One of the main purposes of my role as Coordinator of International Student Life is to help our international parents understand Idyllwild Arts Academy education specifically, and American education in general. This is particularly helpful for those parents who struggle to understand the English on our website.
If you have a question, please contact me at dstoll@idyllwildarts.org; I promise to do my best to find the answer.
Dr. Donald Stoll
Manager of Communications & International Student Relations
Idyllwild Arts Academy
1.951.659.2171 ext. 2346
What should my child bring to IAA to be ready for the school year?
See “Dorm Life” above, there you can find useful advice both about what your child should bring, and about what they cannot bring.
Can IAA help my child get to and from the airport?
All questions about rides to and from Southern California airports should go to Maggie Lam at mlam@idyllwildarts.org.
What cellphone service provider would be best for my child at Idyllwild?
Although the cellphone service on campus is not good, the best provider is Verizon.
What if my child decides not to come home during the fall, winter, or spring vacation?
lease ask Maggie Lam (mlam@idyllwildarts.org) if it is possible to arrange for your child to stay in the home of a local, Idyllwild-area family.
How will I know the dates of concerts, plays, or other special school events, in case I want to visit?
Please visit our Idyllwild Arts Calendar.
How can I find out how my child is doing in his or her classes during the semester?
Our Registrar, Lainie Huddleston (elaineh@idyllwildarts.org), can plug you into the online system enabling you to follow your child’s grades.
If my child is not a native English speaker, should he or she study for the TOEFL or for the SAT?
The SAT is designed for native English speakers, so it includes expressions that confuse non-native speakers. For this reason, American colleges, universities, art schools, and conservatories assess international students’ English skills mainly through the TOEFL exam. International students should study for the SAT, especially the math portion. But they should give more time to TOEFL preparation: the TOEFL will replace the SAT’s critical reading and writing sections when colleges evaluate an international student. Because minimum acceptable TOEFL scores are rising, international students must prepare thoroughly for the TOEFL to stay competitive.
Can the school store my child’s belongings during the summer vacation?
IAA has some room for storage for returning students only, but it is limited. Please contact our Director of Student Life, Daniel Gray (dgray@idyllwildarts.org), well ahead of time to make storage arrangements.
If your child is brand-new to IAA and will start attending for the first time in late August, please do not ship their belongings to us until after August 10.
What if my child gets sick or injured? Is there a doctor on campus?
Although we do not have a doctor on campus, we are proud of our Health Center, under the direction of Lauren Bilecky (lbilecky@idyllwildarts.org), to look after your child’s health and to answer all of your healthcare-related questions.
Located at an elevation of over 5,000 feet on the western slopes of Southern California’s San Jacinto Mountains, the village of Idyllwild is renowned for its cultural and arts environment, as well as its stunning natural beauty. Set amid towering alpine forests, majestic mountains, and tranquil meadows, Idyllwild is an historic town that has long had a reputation as an arts mecca.
Idyllwild offers a peaceful and remote setting from urban distractions, although it is located just 2 hours by car from Los Angeles or San Diego. Students can take advantage of Idyllwild’s broad choice of recreational activities on campus, or by visiting the nearby town of Idyllwild, with its restaurants, specialty shops, and art galleries.
The Idyllwild Arts campus is located only 2 miles from the center of town.
Directions
From Riverside area through Palm Desert:
Take I-215 to CA-60 E toward Indio, to I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway). Go for 38 miles. Take exit 131 toward Monterey Avenue, which leads directly to Highway 74, to its junction with Highway 243 at Mountain Center. Right onto 243, four miles to Idyllwild. Left on Tollgate Road, one mile to campus.
From Los Angeles area through Palm Desert:
Take I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway) for 113 miles. Take exit 131 toward Monterey Avenue, which leads directly to Highway 74, to its junction with Highway 243 at Mountain Center. Right onto 243, four miles to Idyllwild. Left on Tollgate Road, one mile to campus.
From Los Angeles area through Temecula:
Take I-10 (San Bernardino Freeway) for 23 miles to exit toward Corona/South Campus Drive onto CA-71 S (Chino Valley Freeway). Go for 16 miles. Keep left onto Chino Valley Freeway (CA-71) toward CA-91 E/Riverside. Go for 0.5 mile. Take ramp onto CA-91 (Riverside Freeway). Go for four miles. Take exit 51 toward San Diego onto I-15 S (Corona Freeway). Go for 39 miles. Take exit 58 toward CA-79 S/Temecula Parkway and go for 18 miles. Turn left onto Cahuilla Road (CA-371). Go for 21 miles. Turn left onto Pines to Palms Hwy (CA-74). Go for 12 miles. Turn right onto US Highway 243 (CA-243) and go four miles to Idyllwild. Left on Tollgate Road and go one mile to campus.
From San Diego area:
Highway 15 north to Temecula. Exit Highway 79 south toward Indio/Palm Desert. Highway 371 Turn (or bear) left onto (Continue towards Indio/Palm Desert). Left at Highway 74, 10 mile to Highway 243. Right four miles to Idyllwild. Left at Tollgate Road. One mile to campus.
Transportation:
There is no public transportation to or within Idyllwild. Transportation is available via campus vans from Ontario International Airport or Palm Springs Regional Airport and Idyllwild. Arrangements must be made in advance.
Lodging
Vacation Rentals:
Idyllwild Manor
55350 South Circle Dr.
www.vrbo.com
Idyllwild Vacation Cabins
54380 North Circle Dr. Unit C
(951) 659-5444
www.vacationcabins@live.com
Idyllwild Vacation Rentals
54280 North Circle Dr.
(951) 659-5015
www.idyllvacationrentals.com
53397 Linger Lane
Idyllwild, CA
858-736-4064
Sunset Acres – Airbnb
Sunset Acres – Vrbo
Idyllwild Mountain Rentals
54240 North Circle Drive
(951) 659-5349
www.sparkyscabins.com
New Spirit Vacation Homes
54325 North Circle Drive #102
(909) 910-5005 or (951) 659-3100
www.newspiritvacationhomes.com
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Inns B&B’s & Hotels:
Bluebird Cottage Inn
26620 Saddle Drive
(951) 659-2696
www.bluebirdcottageinn.com
Creekstone Inn
54950 Pine Crest Ave.
(951) 659-3342
www.creekstoneinn.com
Fireside Inn
54540 North Circle Drive
(951) 659-2966
www.thefiresideinn.com
Grand Idyllwild Lodge
54820 Pinecrest Ave.
951-659-2383
www.grandidyllwildlodge.com
Idyllwild Inn
54300 Village Center Drive
1.888.659.2552
www.idyllwildinn.com
Knotty Pine Cabins
54340 Pine Crest Ave.
(951) 659-2933
www.knottypinecabinsidyllwild.com
Manzanita Cabins
54100 Lower Pinecrest Ave.
(951) 659-3151
www.manzanitacabins.com
Mile High Country Inn
54605 N Circle Drive
(951) 659-2931
www.milehighcountryinn.com
Quiet Creek Inn
26345 Delano Dr.
1-800-450-1516, (951) 468-4208
www.quietcreekinn.com
Rainbow Inn
54420 South Circle Dr.
(951) 659-0111
www.rainbow-inn.com
Silver Pines Lodge
25955 Cedar St.
(951) 659-4335
www.silverpineslodge.com
Strawberry Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast
Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Hwy
(951) 659-3202
www.strawberrycreekinn.com
Thousand Trails
24400 Canyon Trail Dr.
(951) 659-4097
www.thousandtrails.com
Woodland Park Manor
55350 South Circle Dr.
1-877-659-2657, (951)659-2657
www.woodlandparkmanor.com
Campus Map
Restaurants
Café Aroma • CafeAroma.org • 951-659-5212 • 54750 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild CA 92549
Restaurant Gastrognome • gastrognome.com • 951-659-5055 • 54381 Ridgeview Drive, Idyllwild CA 92549
Higher Grounds Coffee House & Roaster • highergroundscoffee.com • 951-659-1379 • 54245 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA
Idyll Awhile Wine Shoppe Bistro • idyllawhilewineshoppebistro.com • 951-659-9463 • 54254 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549
La Casita Mexican Restaurant • idyllwildlacasita.com • 951-659-6038 • 54650 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild CA
Lumber Mill Bar & Grill • idymill.com • 951-659-0315 • 25985 Hwy. 243, Idyllwild CA 92549• 951-659-2008 • 26600 Hwy 243, Idyllwild CA 92549
Mile High Cafe • milehighcafe.net • 951-659-2008 • 26600 Hwy 243, Idyllwild CA 92549
The Red Kettle • redkettleinc.com • 951-659-4063 • 54220 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild CA 92549
Ferro • ferrorestaurant.com • 951-659-0700 • 25840 Cedar Street, Idyllwild, CA 92549
Tommy’s Kitchen • 951-468-4222 • 54700 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549
Fratello’s Ristorante & Pizzeria • (951) 659-3900 • 54295 Ridgeview Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549
Sugar Loaf • thesugarloafcafe.com • 442 400-9674 • 70111 California 74, Mountain Center, CA, 92561
Idyllwild has earned the distinction of becoming one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. (As designated in the book of the same name by John Villani, A John Muir publication). The town features over 15 galleries representing the work of more than 200 artists. Idyllwild is filled with unique gift and antique shops, boutiques, galleries, and wide variety of dining options.
There are hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails for all levels from gentle strolls to strenuous trails leading to the meadows and peaks that tower above the village. Fishing is also available within 20 minutes at Lake Fulmor and Lake Hemet.
Please note that Idyllwild does not have transportation services readily available in the Idyllwild area. If you have a car service drive you to Idyllwild, please make sure you pre-arrange for the car service to take you off the mountain. In some cases, you will need to have the car wait for you for the duration of your visit.
Transportation options listed are informational only, and not an endorsement of those companies and services.
Palm Springs Airport area transportation service:
Shuttle Me Five Star
1-844-775-7827
shuttlemefivestar.com
Cardiff Limousine & Transportation
1-800-669-0355
or 1-760-568-1403
cardifflimo.com
VIP Express Transportation
1-760-322-2224
rideswithvip.com
Ontario International Airport area transportation service:
Super Shuttle
1-800-258-3826
supershuttle.com
Ontario Limo & Sedan Services
1-800-920-9987
ontariolimoservices.com
Ontario Uber Service
1-909-224-8712
Ride N’ Relax
1-323-674-9020
ridenrelax.com
Los Angeles International Airport area transportation service:
Super Shuttle
1-800-258-3826
supershuttle.com
LA Private Car Service
1-888-400-1919
laprivatecarservice.com
Ride N’ Relax
1-323-674-9020
ridenrelax.com
MGCLS Car Service
1-855-255-2557
laxcarservicemgcls.com