So, while everyone is in decision mode in the wake of M10…I’m wondering if any of the artsy-type girls can weigh in on which schools they applied to and where they are leaning towards for BS. DD isn’t near the caliber to go to a strictly arts school, and she’s a very academically strong kid, but she’s so different from DS, I was hoping we could glean from those of you with those interests/traits while you’re making decisions and weighing each school. Maybe we can help you make your decisions easier by giving you someone to explain your reasons to, and we can get valuable knowledge at the same time!
DD’s school places an emphasis on the arts, while not having it be it’s sole focus. The sole focus is still academics, but every girl is required to take a fine arts class all four years. Many of the girls take multiple classes though. They offer classes in Art, Choir, and Theatre. They put on two theatre productions per year, multiple concerts, and multiple art shows. They often have girls that apply to UNSCA and multiple girls are involved in arts programs in Winston-Salem.
I love that you started his thread @buuzn03 for kids that live arts programs and want to be highly involved in art, but not have that be their sole academic focus!
Also, there are amazing summer programs for artsy students.
Mom to two artsy girls here! Honestly most of the schools have drool worthy art facilities but for variety of arts a few progressive schools come to mind - Putney, Darrow, NMH, Proctor, Dublin (smaller arts facility but a special teacher there has done some amazing things), Choate … is your daughter more interested in visual or performing arts? And how rigorous academics wise?
Tufts and RISDI have summer programs too for fine arts (Tufts is just a day program though) as do many other art programs. There is an arts focused BS near Boston too… It will come to me!
@chemmchimney she’s more performing but wants to be able to do more than just stage—she’s interested in film, also plus play/screenwriting, production, etc.
Interlochen! The academics are strong. A friend of mine graduated from there and is now a partner at a top law firm…
Concord?
@buuzn03 , you have to look at George! Arts are not viewed as EC, but curriculum (including IB). It’ll add another airport to your travel arrangements to boot.
Great theater, stagecraft, film, visual arts, etc.
BU Academy can be a very good choice for artsy girl, as she could take art/theater/dance/music classes from Boston University.
Not boarding though.
Cambridge School of Weston has a very nice art program. Not one of your typical top schools but a nice back up maybe?
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I think if you could specify the arts that would be helpful. For example, Rivers has a well known music program for classical music students but if you were interested in hip hop dance you might not get what you need. Governors has more scholastic art awards for fine arts than any others. They have a really strong ceramic and fine arts program(writing too). Theater: MX and CA seemed to have a strong program though my kiddo isn’t into theater so it wasn’t a factor. Both had limited fine arts. Just did not seem to be a virtual wow there. One way to see if the program is strong is to look at the students work or attend a play. Exeter and Andover also have strong arts. Don’t know the extent across the board. Seems like the larger schools or one with a strong faculty member who drives the program have the strongest arts. You really have to visit the school and check out awards ( national scholastic art awards are the gold standard). Or ask how many go to art school from BS. You can check the list for RISD, FIT and Parsons, etc.
I would say ask people to weigh in: music, fine art, writing, theater, film and mixed media, and design specifically. Or any other field she is interested in pursuing.
@yuor28 I would respectfully disagree. BUA is very academic. There is no focus on art. There are a total of 4 fine arts courses. I know this as I have a very good friend whose daughter attends BUA. She likes to draw and said it is not valued there and not really incorporated into the curriculum. While taking a class at BU is possible, this cannot be done till Junior year so if a kid liked art and wanted to pursue that BUA would not be a good fit.
OMG. I cannot believe I forgot Walnut Hill in Natick. It is highly regarded. Kids who go there are serious about becoming professionals in their fields.
@chemmchimney Is that the one you were thinking of?
I was going to say Walnut Hill.
we went to BUA for a tour and our tour guide was very into singing and music and she said she took BU classes. Also their art classroom and theater were very impressive. But you are right, its very academic oriented school
We are looking for more academic but happen to have strong arts—performing arts/theater —programs.
Most schools will have “strong enough” arts for HS. I’m not sure being in the chorus in a production at a large school with a strong program is better than playing the lead in a smaller school’s less famous program…
@Happytimes2001 Yes Walnut Hill is the one!
@CaliMex I totally agree! DD’s school is getting ready to do Mary Poppins and it’s looking pretty fantastic! The lead has a very strong theatre background (parents involved in various ways, older brother on broadway, etc…) and she’s just phenomenal (acting, singing, tap…). Academics are definitely the focus there, but they have some great arts programs with a lot of talented girls to match!
@CaliMex that is part of my concern with a true arts school. First, I don’t think she has the background/foundation to even get her in and if she did get in, I think she’d be overshadowed by more seasoned kids. But I’d like to find schools with stronger programs…more electives, productions, etc than some. For DS, we looked for schools with hockey & that was a bit easier…they either offer hockey or they don’t. But almost all schools offer drama…some rudimentary and others more elaborate. I’m trying to find out which prep schools people picked because of their stronger theater/performing arts programs and why…of course, she now has it in her head (thx to big brother) that JBS is the way to go…sigh
I think all of the schools will have enough to suit her. There may be more important differentiators around culture and fit.
I would recommend trying to meet the drama department head when you interview and see who strikes you as the best mentor/fit. Many of the main players will have strong programs but the right teacher can make a big difference. For example, Taft had a Dept head while I was there that succeeded in helping some students get pretty impressive film auditions (Ordinary People, Jaws) even though the theater program was relatively small. Taft was also not known for music at that time but my classmates were Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Adam Duritz (Counting Crows). I just missed Mary Chapin Carpenter! And going to see a performance is a great idea.