What are the benefits of studying at an arts high school?

What do fine arts high schools and performing arts high schools have to offer? Understand how the arts can help students develop valuable skills, launch into successful careers, and prepare to change the world.

July 8, 2022

Updated: November 9, 2026

Arts high schools offer students a chance to get a head start on future creative work, connect with like-minded peers and expert faculty in their fields, and learn core academic lessons through personalized curriculum. With arts as the focus of the educational experience, students waste no time honing their craft and exploring their chosen arts discipline, setting the stage for higher education or careers as professional artists.

An arts education can be a transformative experience—from increased career readiness, to improved academic performance and communication skills. If you or someone you know is considering whether or not studying the arts is the right move, we’ve put together a list of some of the top benefits of an arts high school to help you make an informed decision.

1. Gain intensive artistic training

One of the main reasons students seek out a fine arts or performing arts high school is the opportunity to prioritize their artistic training in a structured environment. A high school for the arts offers a space for daily practice that’s built right into your schedule—not as an afterthought or extracurricular activity.

Where arts resources may be limited in a traditional or public high school environment, arts high schools spare no expense, offering specialized instruction and master classes tailored to a variety of arts disciplines. These opportunities are crucial for aspiring artists who would otherwise have to seek out opportunities outside of school to learn their craft.

Arts programs at Interlochen Arts Academy allow students to explore within the disciplines of dance, creative writing, film and new media, music, theatre, and visual arts. In addition, students can forge their own paths through the Interdisciplinary Arts major. With a dedicated space and time for their chosen disciplines, students can pursue their creative ambitions without sacrificing their academic goals.

2. Improve your academic performance

Many students find that the exceptional education and personal attention they receive in an arts high school leads to stronger academic performance.

Arts schools provide top-notch instruction in every high school subject, from science and math to English, social studies, and foreign languages. In fact, the arts and traditional high school subjects complement each other: studies have shown that students who engage with music often score better on tests in all subjects.

A strong academic foundation prepares students for success in any arena. Graduates of Interlochen Arts Academy have gone on to excel in diverse areas, including science, technology, business, law, healthcare, education, and more. Dr. Holly Gilbert (IAA 86-88), for example, studied cello in her time at Interlochen, then decided to pursue the sciences. She went on to work in heliophysics at NASA and now heads up the High Altitude Observatory at The National Center for Atmospheric Research.

3. Learn from expert faculty and mentors

Arts high schools often employ expert faculty or working artists to mentor students in their chosen disciplines. This unique opportunity to learn directly from artists is one of the most impactful parts of an arts education. Students gain industry insights, tailored feedback on their work, and motivation and support from faculty who truly understand their interests and goals.

Students at Interlochen Arts Academy learn from professional actors, Grammy award-winning artists, professional film and TV directors, published authors, and more. This type of tailored education would never be possible in a traditional or public school environment. For many students, opportunities to learn from professional working artists only come in college or beyond—by attending an arts high school, you get a head start on a creative career with professionals who actually understand the industry.

4. Access one-of-a-kind performance and exhibition opportunities

For many young artists, finding opportunities to gain performance or exhibition experience can be incredibly difficult. If your local community lacks a performance space or exhibition space, your options are incredibly limited.

Arts high schools offer students ample opportunities to participate in live performances and arts exhibitions, gaining crucial experience required for any future professional work. Students graduate with dozens of performances and exhibitions on their resumes, giving them a leg up on any college or conservatory applications.

Attending an interdisciplinary arts school like Interlochen Arts Academy also gives students the opportunity to collaborate across arts disciplines to create one-of-a-kind performances. Arts Academy students regularly go on tour across the country, putting together performances that highlight all seven arts majors. These types of unique experiences teach students to expand the boundaries of what’s possible with their art and create professional connections outside of their chosen art form.

5. Collaborate with like-minded peers

Attending an arts high school opens up the opportunity to meet and collaborate with like-minded peers who are interested in your arts discipline. Many students who attend Interlochen Arts Academy talk about how they were finally able to find their people—other artists who understand the joys and challenges of art—and finally felt like they were a part of a community for the first time in their lives.

In addition to lifelong friendships, the students you meet at art school can become collaborators and supporters of your artistic career. Meeting hundreds of musicians, dancers, artists, writers, and more means opening up a comprehensive creative network to draw from for the rest of your life. You’ll also gain access to a network of alumni who are excited to support your career thanks to your shared experiences.

6. Get into the college of your dreams

Colleges tend to highly regard the kind of dedication and hard work that an arts school requires. Students looking to attend competitive school programs often find an arts school gives them the edge they need to get into their program of choice.

In recent years, 94% of Interlochen Arts Academy graduates have been accepted into one of their top three colleges. Academy graduating seniors have been accepted to prestigious institutions including Columbia University, Yale University, Cornell University, Northwestern University, Stanford University, and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Graduates have also been accepted into the nation’s top arts schools, including Curtis Institute of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, Carnegie Mellon University School of Fine Arts, Boston University College of Fine Arts, and more.

7. Live a more fulfilling life

Regardless of what career a student opts to pursue, four formative years at an arts high school gives training in skills that will last a lifetime. Musical talents, writing, and more provide students with a rich well of resources for recreation and enjoyment. Students are prepared to be active and thriving citizens of their local communities, offering the enduring gift of the arts to themselves and to others.

In conclusion

Studying the arts in high school provides great advantages to students in college admissions and the workforce. Students develop strong communication skills, learn to ask ethical questions, and practice effective collaboration. Perhaps the greatest benefit, however, is the way these students are equipped to positively impact the world around them.

Poet Dana Gioia writes, “The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society.” For graduates of excellent arts high schools, this statement proves true.

To learn more about Interlochen Arts Academy, click here.

FAQ

Why is arts education important for high school students?

An arts education inspires creative thinking, empathy, and problem-solving skills. It also reinforces skills in visual, written, and oral communication that are essential in today’s workforce. Students who attend arts high schools can get a head start on a creative career, accessing expert instruction from working artists, like-minded peers, and advanced resources to support their artistic goals.

How do the arts benefit student achievement?

Students who attend arts schools often achieve higher admission rates into their colleges of choice. Thanks to individualized instruction, performance and exhibition experiences, and the creativity and empathy that arts school inspires, students often stand out from their peers in the application process.

What are the benefits of attending a performing arts high school?

Students who attend performing arts high schools receive hands-on instruction from working actors and musicians that allows them to improve their skills exponentially and get a head start on understanding the performing arts industry.

Performing arts high schools also provide improved presentation and public speaking skills, as well as important visual, written, and oral communication skills that colleges and employers in all industries look for.

How does art class benefit students?

Studying the arts and humanities helps students to critically examine the world around them, develop empathy for people with different backgrounds, and make decisions with a broader community in mind. The arts bring purpose and meaning to life, ensuring that students seek what matters most.