<p>Hi, everyone, </p>
<p>A friend in a country where I used to live has asked me to find out about arts-oriented high schools in the United States that might admit an international student. The student will probably have moderately strong math scores, like most students from his country, and moderately weak English scores (ditto), and will apply during his ninth grade year for attendance in eleventh and twelfth grade here in the States. I have not seen his art portfolio at all, but hear he is an avid visual artist. My state has a specialized high school for arts students that even has a dorm, but I think it is open only to Minnesota residents. </p>
<p>I have heard of Interlochen in Michigan, which has a very good reputation, but know of no other school in this category. What would you recommend? What issues should I look out for as an international student applies to high school in the United States? </p>
<p>Thanks for any advice you have.</p>
<p>Hi Token,</p>
<p>Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA is a coed boarding & day school. Has very strong and intensive performing arts (ballet, music, theatre), visual arts and creative writing programs. Also has ESL program for international kids.</p>
<p>Cambridge School of Weston, in Weston, MA is also a coed boarding (30%) & day school with a creative arts direction and flexible curriculum. From visiting, I thought that they had an amazing digital photography department.</p>
<p>Interlochen is PHENOMINAL. Give it a look.</p>
<p>Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. There are only a handful of true art schools at the boarding school level, so your friend might want to broaden the search, as JG suggests, to include boarding schools with strong art programs. </p>
<p>Northfield Mount Hermon is another one to consider - historically, it has had an AMAZING art program (visual and performing), and it is in the process of building a new arts facility, scheduled to be completed this fall (I think).</p>
<p>I never looked for a strong arts program. However, I've heard that The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY has a strong arts program, a large number of international students boarding and is close to NYC with all its arts activities.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. This gives me some places to look at. I'd be happy to hear about other schools.</p>
<p>Defintitely Interlochen.</p>
<p>Fountain Valley in Colorado Springs might be an option -- we did a visitor's day and the art's building was quite impressive (as were the pieces on exhibit). they seem to place a very high value on art as part of the program and have a number of kids that are very talented in different arts (including metalwork, ceramics, photography, etc) They have an ESL program is that is a concern -- and since they aren't on everyone's radar, they might be easier for an intl to get into.</p>