Idyllwild Arts Academy

Idyllwild Arts is an awful place. The academic and arts education is subpar for the amount the school charges. The administration is hypocritical and have a hierarchy among students. Full pay students come first, and everyone else can solve their own problems. Additionally, the theatre teachers are disrespectful and also just plain mean to students. The creative writing department is dry and most of the works are whiny and not well written. The library is understocked and disappointing. Further, there is a high use of drugs among the IAA community. Many of the students even smoke on campus or in dorms. The academic teachers have no respect for students' art or the fact that theatre productions, dance shows, etc. take time from the evenings and do not grant extensions. The financial aid department is irregular and unprofessional. It is great that Bill Lowman is retiring because he does not respect parents or students. He is impatient and mean. Many school policies are contradictory and unfair. The students have no rights. Do not come here. It is not worth 50 grand. Most people do not return due to extreme unhappiness with the school. It is NOT all its cracked up to be.