Safety at Interlochen

At Interlochen, student safety and well-being are our top priority. We are committed to fostering a nurturing, inclusive, and secure environment where students thrive artistically, academically, and personally.

Campus Access & Physical Security

All vehicle entrances to the Interlochen campus are gated and monitored.
Campus Safety staff are based at the Interlochen Welcome Center and oversee all visitor management, ID protocols, and emergency response coordination.
Interlochen facilities are equipped with building access controls and comprehensive security camera coverage to help monitor and protect campus environments.

Campus Safety & Student Supervision

Interlochen maintains a strong, 24/7 campus safety presence.
Faculty and staff supervise students in classrooms, residence halls, and during all student activities, ensuring support in all academic and residential settings.

Background Checks

All Interlochen staff undergo multiple background checks prior to employment, including but not limited to:

County and national criminal history screenings.
Sex offender registry checks.
Department of Health and Human Services child abuse/neglect clearance for all staff 21 and over.

Emergency Procedures & Safety Planning

Interlochen maintains a comprehensive site emergency plan and collaborates with local emergency responders.
Regular drills (lockdowns, fire drills, etc.) are conducted in partnership with local emergency responders.
Interlochen has partnered with Safe Havens International to conduct comprehensive campus safety reviews and completed a FEMA-aligned Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA).
Interlochen has also partnered with Project IX (Now Grand River Solutions) and ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators) to evaluate all policies, procedures, and programs to protect students against sexual misconduct.

Safety at Concerts & Performances

Safety measures are tailored to each event and may include:

Metal detectors and bag checks at entry points
On-site presence of local law enforcement and EMT personnel
Clearly marked entrances, exits, and emergency evacuation routes
Event-specific protocols managed by Campus Safety in coordination with venue and production teams

Interlochen Core Values and Community

All staff and students receive education on ways to build an inclusive community that aligns with Interlochen Core Values: Just an Idea, Drawn Here, The Artist’s Journey, and Solo e Tutti. At Interlochen, we are drawn together in community, on our artist’s journey, working individually and together.
Interlochen Center for the Arts is committed to building a community where every voice is not only heard but deeply valued. Our dedication to fostering an inclusive environment enhances all we do.

Community Building

Academy students participate in structured programs that communicate the values, norms and expectations of Interlochen, fostering a community of respect for all. These programs include:

Weekly Advisory meetings where students engage in developmentally appropriate discussions on key topics, guided by faculty mentors.
Weekly Community Meetings, whole school assemblies, where the entire Interlochen community connects around essential learnings.
Residential Programming that reinforces lessons in empathy, independence, collaboration, and responsibility.
Community Service requirements that enable students to contribute to projects that embody Interlochen’s values and practice social responsibilities.

This education equips students not only to succeed at Interlochen but to thrive in an evolving world, where leadership and empathy are needed.

Student Support

Academy students receive multi-pronged support through:

Onboarding and orientation programming, including extra support for our youngest students.
Peer Mentoring, whereby 9th and 10th grade students are partnered with select and recommended 11th and 12th grade mentors, to help them feel comfortable at Interlochen.
Mental Health Support and Counseling Services, including 24/7 crisis counseling through our partner, Uwill.
A full, on-campus health provider clinic, open sixteen hours per day for treatment of illness and injuries, and 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent matters.
Health education, including sex education and substance use prevention seminars.
Affinity groups and issue-based support groups.
Students can report discrimination or a safety concern by completing this form or by reaching out to any trusted adult and/or counselors, who will share their concerns with the appropriate person. All employees are trained on protecting students and staff from discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on sex and sexual harassment.

Protection from Discrimination

Interlochen adheres to all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment and education. Interlochen does not discriminate in its admissions practices, in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities. Interlochen also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution.
All employees are trained on protecting students and staff from discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on sex and sexual harassment. To report discrimination or a safety concern, please click here.

Faculty & Staff Training

All education staff are trained extensively on appropriate student contact and behavior management, including participating in regular meetings and workshops covering:

Mandated Reporting: Under Michigan’s Child Protection Law, the school reports suspected abuse or neglect to Centralized Intake (CI) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). All educational staff are mandatory reporters and all employees, even those outside of education, are trained to report their suspicions of child abuse or neglect through Children’s Protective Services. Interlochen's Student Support Services, under the direction of the School Psychologist, is able to assist community members in making reports to MDHHS Centralized Intake by calling 855-444-3911.
Student Behavior Management: All educational staff are trained on how to foster appropriate and respectful community behavior in and outside of the classroom.
Student Development and Care: All education staff are trained on age-appropriate student development care.
Students can report discrimination or a safety concern by completing this form or by reaching out to any trusted adult and/or counselors, who will share their concerns with the appropriate person. All employees are trained on protecting students and staff from discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based on sex and sexual harassment.

Digital & Social Media Safety

Interlochen upholds clear expectations for responsible digital conduct. Bullying, harassment, or other harmful behavior on social media or digital platforms violates community standards and is not tolerated.
Through Interlochen’s Advisory programming, students are encouraged to reflect critically on their social media use and online presence.

Oversight

Interlochen’s accrediting body, the Independent Schools Association of Central States, ISACS, as well as the State of Michigan, which licenses Interlochen, regularly reviews all of our operational areas, including our health, wellness, and safety policies.
The Audit & Risk Management Committee of our Board of Trustees actively reviews all policies and procedures.

Safety Concerns

We take all safety concerns seriously. Any report of misconduct, safety concern, or violation of our community standards is investigated promptly and with discretion. Concerns can be reported directly:

All Michigan schools are also a part of the OK2SAY program. OK2SAY is the student safety program that allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.