Message from the President & Head of School

Dear Idyllwild Arts Family,

Businesses and schools across the country are now impacted by the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. It is my sincerest hope that you have not been affected by the virus, either directly or indirectly. Our thoughts are especially with those who are sick, and we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery.

As the global health crisis advanced around the world, we thought first and foremost about our Academy students who travel from more than thirty countries and six continents to attend Idyllwild Arts. We chose to act expediently to protect the safety of our students, our school community, and our neighboring town. We have acted in advance of local officials issuing various orders such as Stay At Home, and as a result, students were able to leave campus in advance of several travel restrictions, parents were able to be home with their children when schools closed, and most fortunately, we have had no confirmed cases of coronavirus on our campus or in Idyllwild.

On March 17, 2020, Riverside County Health Department, in conjunction with Riverside County Board of Education, closed all public, private, and parochial schools until April 30, 2020. Therefore, when classes resume following Spring Break on April 6, the school will move to distance learning for academic as well as arts classes for the remainder of the school year.

Our instructors are working tirelessly to create learning environments that will engage the diverse, talented, and passionate student body of the largest international residential high school on the West Coast. Creating online communities designed to capture the “aha” moments and elation that come only with hard work and grit will still be the motivation of our instructors. Whether we are providing private lessons with our professional teaching artists, working with members of the prestigious Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Philharmonic, facilitating discussion threads, creating interactive language labs, or designing long-range research projects, our commitment is to continuing the education our students deserve.

These are unprecedented times. The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of our families, our businesses, our communities, and our way of life. We are grateful to everyone for your support of Idyllwild Arts. Our community is resilient and we are resolved to come through this health crisis stronger and even more committed to teaching our students to be creative and innovative as they, too, prepare to address the world’s challenges.

We wish your loved ones and you good health and safety.

Sincerely,

Pamela Jordan
President and Head of School