Applying to the Arts Academy is a multi-step process. Students are evaluated on their artistic ability through an audition or portfolio review, as well as academically through the Independent School Entrance Exam. Students must be admitted to both the arts and academic programs to receive an offer of admission to the school.

1) THE AUDITION
Interested families should sign up for one of our six audition and portfolio review days by submitting the Arts Academy application and all accompanying materials at least one week prior to the date you wish to attend. For more information on applying and auditioning for the Arts Academy, please click here.

2) THE ACADEMIC TEST
The Chicago Academy for the Arts requires all applicants to take the Independent Schools Entrance Exam (ISEE) program. This test measures a student’s ability to learn, and calculates what a student has already learned using reading comprehension and mathematics achievement sections. For more information on taking the Independent School Entrance Exam, please click here.

3) THE DECISION
Once students have successfully completed the application process, notification of the admissions decision will be made within two weeks. The entire process from audition to testing to notification will take approximately six weeks.