Admissions
Our Application is moving this summer, but we are still accepting applications on a rolling basis for the 2026-2027 school year!
Discover One of the Leading Arts High Schools in Chicago
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The Chicago Academy for the Arts offers a rare opportunity to combine rigorous college-preparatory academics with professional-level arts training. Located in Chicago’s River West neighborhood, The Academy is a nationally recognized independent performing and visual arts high school where young artists pursue their creative passions while preparing for college and future careers.
Unlike traditional high schools, students at The Academy spend each day immersed in both academic study and intensive arts training, developing the skills needed to succeed as thinkers, creators, and collaborators. This unique co-curricular model integrates intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and artistic expression—creating a learning environment designed specifically for students who are serious about the arts.
IMPORTANT 2026-2027 INFORMATION
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Applications are OPEN* for Summer Rolling Admissions through August 1
*Our application portal is temporarily unavailable as we transition to our new admissions platform. We appreciate your patience during this update; if you are interested in applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts, please check back soon or contact our Admissions Office directly for next steps and support.
Spaces are still available for Fall 2026-2027 admission! Applicants who complete and submit their applications after the deadline will still be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
The Chicago Academy for the Arts application process is designed for students who are ready to pursue an exceptional arts high school education. As a premier private arts high school in Chicago, The Academy invites aspiring young artists to demonstrate their artistic voice, creative passion, and commitment to academic excellence. Our admissions process is more comprehensive than that of many traditional or peer schools because our co-curricular model combines strong college-preparatory academics with pre-professional arts training. Students applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts are taking the next step toward joining a nationally recognized community for visual and performing arts education.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Admissions Notifications
PRIORITY DECISIONS SENT
February 27, 2026
Early DECISIONS SENT
December & January
Early Decision & PRIORITY DECISIONS REPLY
March 9, 2026
Tuition
For the 2026–2027 school year, tuition at The Chicago Academy for the Arts is $39,388, plus additional school fees. As a private arts high school with a college-preparatory academic program and pre-professional arts training, tuition supports both rigorous academics and intensive instruction in disciplines such as visual arts, music, theatre, musical theatre, dance, creative writing, and film.
We believe that talented young artists should have access to a transformative arts education regardless of financial circumstances. The Academy’s Access and Affordability Committee works closely with families applying for need-based tuition assistance and distributes nearly $2 million in financial aid each year. Historically, about half of Academy students receive tuition assistance, making a premier Chicago arts school education more accessible to aspiring artists and scholars.
At this time, The Chicago Academy for the Arts does not offer merit-based scholarships. All financial support is awarded through our need-based tuition assistance program, which helps ensure that students from a wide range of financial backgrounds can attend one of the nation’s leading private arts high schools.
Tuition and Affordability
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$1,550
New Student Fee (New Students Only)$7,000
International Student Fee$2,700
Music Department Private Lesson Fee$1,350
Musical Theatre Department Private Lesson FeeBus Shuttle
The bus shuttle to and from the Metra train stations (La Salle, Van Buren, Union, and Ogilvie) is included with tuition.
Books & Supplies
Families are responsible for purchasing books and supplies.
Field Trips
While many field trips are fully subsidized by the school, from time to time there may be additional costs
Tuition ASSISTANCE
Tuition assistance funding is limited and will be allocated first to students who apply during the priority admissions season.
Families interested in tuition assistance (including Daniel Murphy, LINK Unlimited, and HFS Chicago Scholars) should fill out an application in FACTS by clicking the “Apply for Tuition Assistance” button below.
The Academy is proud to partner with local scholarship organizations including, but not limited to, the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund, HFS Chicago Scholars, High Jump Scholars, and LINK Unlimited Scholars.
International students and students applying for mid-year transfer are not eligible for tuition assistance at this time.
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Families must apply online through FACTS, an independent, third-party company that conducts a comprehensive analysis of your family’s finances to determine your level of need-based tuition assistance.
ADMISSIONS TEAM
Sophie Lane Oliver is excited to meet you and help you throughout the admissions process.
Please reach out if you have any questions!
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Students must be able to fulfill the audition requirements, but that does not necessarily mean that they have formal training in or outside of school. Formal training is more common in some arts disciplines, like dance or music, but is not a prerequisite. Students must also be strong academically in order to be considered for admission.
The Academy is a co-curricular program, where arts and academics are seen as equally important to one another. The Academy’s acceptance rate for the 2023-2024 school year was 70%.
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53% of Academy students commute from outside the city of Chicago. The Academy provides school buses to and from the four major Metra stations (Union, La Salle, Van Buren, and Ogilvie).
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Though the Learning Resources Department at The Academy is limited in the support it can provide for students with identified and documented learning differences, The Academy provides a daily 45-minute advisory period in the middle of each day, allowing ample opportunities for students to receive instructional support from their teachers and meet with the school counselor. The Assistant Principal/Director of Learning Resources is responsible for the case management of students whose families have submitted documentation of school-related learning issues.
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One of the Academy’s primary goals is to prepare students to successfully audition at the most selective colleges, universities, and conservatory arts programs in the world. Therefore, it is important that students pick one area of concentration to specialize in.
The Academy offers arts electives in 11th and 12th grade for students to take courses in other arts departments. To see a list of arts elective courses and other academic elective courses offered at The Academy, see here.