
SCHOOL PROFILE
Perpich Arts High School opened its doors in 1989 and graduated its first class in 1991. It is a tuition-free, public, residential high school for students in 11th and 12th grades.
The school is part of Perpich Center for Arts Education, a state agency created in 1985 to promote access to and opportunities in arts education for all Minnesota students, teachers and schools.
Want to attend Perpich? Applicants go through a competitive application and review process. Perpich wants students with three things: passion for their art, potential, and curiosity! Arts and academics are equally important and are both taught through creative and analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making.
The school has:
- a block schedule system with 90-minute periods
- half-credit academic/arts electives in 50-minutes blocks four days a week each semester
- arts courses of three hours a day every afternoon
- a teaching staff of both teachers and artists
- accreditation by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools
- membership in the National Association for College Admissions Counseling
Perpich is a college preparatory program. That means an academic program with English, mathematics, science, social studies, and world languages. Arts courses also are college preparatory and require college-level reading and written work in addition to technical work in the particular art area.
Quick facts
Enrollment maxes out at 310 Junior and Senior students from all over Minnesota.
The average class size is 18 students.
The residence hall can accommodate approximately 140 students.
Faculty includes 16 full-time and 10 part-time instructors.
The school day is 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
SCHOOL FAQ
Your quick reference guide to learn all about Perpich.
Perpich Arts High School is a statewide, comprehensive public school for grades 11 and 12 offering a rigorous academic program with intensive coursework focused in six arts areas: dance, literary arts, media arts (photography/video), music, theater, and visual arts. The school’s enrollment is limited to 310 students.
The arts high school is one component of Perpich Center for Arts Education, a state agency that also provides professional development, outreach services, and library resources in arts education to all K-12 students, teachers, schools, and districts in Minnesota.
Yes. There is no tuition, although, there are school fees just as at other public schools.
Funding comes from the Minnesota State Legislature. In addition to that funding, students who live in the dormitory may have to pay a residence fee, currently $3,600. This is based on their permanent home address. Cafeteria meals are available to students at a cost per meal that is currently $2.50 for breakfast, $3.50 for lunch, and $3.50 for dinner. All students currently pay a $400 activity fee that covers field trips, speakers, visiting artists, and other curriculum-related costs. Students who drive to campus currently pay an annual $200 parking fee. All students accepted to Perpich who decide to attend must pay a non-refundable acceptance fee, currently $100. Families receive invoices for all fees paid.
Our agency calendar is located at https://perpich.mn.gov/calendar/ There you can see all of the high school events plus events related to our Library and our Professional Development and Resources Program.
Click here for the Perpich Arts High School 2020-2021 Printable Year-At-A-Glance Calendar
Click here for the Perpich Arts High School 2019-2020 Calendar of Events ***The 2020-2021 event calendar is coming soon.***
Yes, it is accredited through the North Central Association of Secondary Schools.
Arts high school students come from around the entire state of Minnesota – 70% are from the metro area and 30% are from greater Minnesota. Students have the option of staying in the residence hall on campus.
- Dance
- Literary Arts
- Media Arts
- Music
- Theater
- Visual Arts
Students focus on only one arts area. The arts are infused throughout our academic classes and lessons are structured to engage students in hands-on experiential learning that offers many avenues to success for students with varied learning styles. Some electives are available to give students access to other art areas. In addition, there are sometime collaborative projects among art areas.
Students attend academic classes in the morning and their specific arts areas in the afternoon. The school day is 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Perpich uses block scheduling, meaning classes last for 90 minutes and a semester class equals a year-long class in other schools.
No. The Arts High School is not covered under the school district law that dictates the open enrollment process. By law, the Perpich Board of Directors is authorized to devise distinct rules for admission to Perpich Arts High School.
Only students whose parents/guardians are Minnesota residents may apply and attend the arts high school. Applicants must also be currently enrolled in grade 10 or 11 to be eligible to apply.
Admitted students have average or higher grades. Seniors applying must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale (2.0 is equivalent to a “C” grade). All applicants must be on track to graduate under Minnesota state guidelines and have appropriate credits completed in core courses.
Students must submit an application during their sophomore or junior year for the following school year. Applicants are then scheduled for an admission review approximately one month later.
The admission review consists of an academic/arts evaluation, which includes performing or bringing example(s) of the applicant’s work; completing an arts assignment mailed two weeks prior to the review; participating in a spontaneous activity related to the arts area; and an academic/arts interview.
Students who attend the arts high school are willing to take risks, work hard, and are open to discovery. They are interested in making connections between their artistic vision and their academic life. The faculty evaluate a student’s artistic talent or potential for growth, creativity and imagination, attitude, and academic history.
About 2/3 of applicants applying for the two-year program, and about 1/4 of applicants applying for senior-year-only, are accepted. Some art areas have more space than others.
Like all public schools, the arts high school is tuition-free. However, as is the case in most public schools, there is a student fee. Ours is currently $400. Also, students who live on campus in the residence hall may have to pay a residence fee, currently $3,600. This is based on their permanent home address. They also will maintain a balance in the meal plan. Students who are accepted and decide to attend Perpich must pay a non-refundable acceptance fee of $100. That fee is not applied to any other fees.
The school cafeteria provides meals and a la carte choices paid for through individual student accounts in to which parents deposit funds (currently $2.50 per breakfast, $3.50 per lunch, $3.50 for dinner). For those who apply and qualify, the school participates in the federal free and reduced fee program in accordance with the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program guidelines. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered Monday through Thursday; breakfast and lunch are available on Fridays.
Board members are appointed by the governor of Minnesota. Board members represent each of the eight congressional districts in the state. To see the current members of the board, visit the staff directory.
The residence hall can hold up to 140 students. Residency is determined by distance from the campus. This mileage limit is reviewed annually based on space availability with priority given to applicants who live the farthest from campus.
At their December 20, 2018 meeting, the Board of Directors for Perpich Center for Arts Education voted unanimously to eliminate the residential dormitory fees, starting in the 2019-2020 school year, for all students whose residence is 20 miles or more from campus. Residents of Hennepin and Ramsey counties are not eligible. For those Perpich Arts High School students impacted, this is a savings of $3,600 annually.
The residential dormitory fee will apply for students living within the 20 mile radius and for any student living in Hennepin or Ramsey county. However, families may apply for reduced fees and make arrangements for payment schedules that best fit their finances.
The current residential cost for the school year is $3,600. This cost is reviewed annually. This fee does not include meals in the cafeteria.
Perpich does not provide bus transportation. Commuter students may form car pools, use mass transit, or are transported by family members or other trusted adults. Bus passes are available for purchase. Students who qualify for the federal free/reduced fee lunch program are eligible for reduced-fee bus passes.
Yes. Students who wish to drive to school must register their cars with the school security office and pay an annual parking fee, currently $200.
Perpich Arts High School has a zero tolerance approach to drug and alcohol use and/or possession or supply. Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia and selling or supplying drugs (including prescription drugs) to others are a violation of criminal statute. Therefore, since chemical use is a serious legal and health issue, the possession, use and/or supplying of alcohol, other drugs and/or drug paraphernalia on campus or when returning to campus is prohibited under any circumstances.
Perpich Arts High School is a place of education where each student has the right to learn and grow in a supportive environment among people who are caring and cooperative. Perpich is committed to working with our students to create a system of accountability that sets clear limits and supports a respectful, school-wide learning community. Our students often say that they appreciate the respect and acceptance they get from their teachers and other students. Cliques are rare if not nonexistent and we have a zero-tolerance bullying/harassment policy that is strictly enforced.
On average 65% of Perpich graduates go on to post-secondary education. About 30% choose to continue their studies in the arts; others choose different fields of study or career paths.
Many opportunities exist for enrolling in academically-challenging classes: honors classes, AP courses, College in the Schools classes, and PSEO options, schedule allowing.
Follow the link to download the paperwork needed to apply.
Yes! Please feel welcome to attend a scheduled Information Session during the coming school year. When dates for Information Sessions are determined, they will be posted on the school calendar.
You can also shadow a current student for the day to get an authentic Perpich experience to help you with your decision to attend!
Perpich partners with Groves Academy to provide opportunities for students to participate in sports. Currently, Perpich offers (through Groves): Soccer, Cross Country, and Basketball. Parks and athletic facilities are also available in the area. Students may enroll in yoga class, an elective that provides a .5 physical education credit.
Students involved in high school sports at their previous school may also petition the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to continue with those activities, either at their previous school, when possible, or a school near Perpich. Both Perpich and the cooperating school must sign an agreement to allow this. The MSHSL may or may not be able to make such an arrangement, depending on factors within the cooperating school.
CLASS OF 2019 STATS
Our 2019 class is one among many that have gone far and wide since graduation. See below for the institutions our students attended.
Overview Stats
- 98.1% graduated
- 87% are planning post-secondary education
- $3.15 million in scholarships and grants offered
- One student named National Merit Commended Scholar
- 26% of class graduated with honors (3.6 GPA or better)
- 3.332 average GPA of 2019-2020 applicants
- 25% to 30% of graduates continue to pursue their art
2019 ACT average scores of Perpich students
- Composite: 22.6
- English: 23.4
- Mathematics: 19.8
- Reading: 24.9
- Science: 21.6
Colleges, Universities, and Conservatories of the Classes of 2018 and 2019
- AMDA College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts, CA
- Americorp Reading Program
- Association Free Lutheran Bible School, MN
- Augsburg University, MN
- Aveda Institute Minneapolis
- Bard College, NY
- Bennington College, VT
- California Institute of the Arts
- Central Lakes College, MN
- Century College, MN
- College of Saint Benedict, MN
- Columbia College Chicago
- Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, AZ
- Cornell College, IA
- Eastern Gateway Community College, OH
- Fashion Institute of Technology, NY
- Goucher College, MD
- Griffith College Dublin
- Gustavus Adolphus College, MN
- Hamline University, MN
- Honolulu Community College, HI
- Inver Hills Community College, MN
- Iowa State University, IA
- Ironworkers Union
- Knox College, IL
- Kronoby Folkhogskolo Academy, Finland
- Laguna College of Art and Design, CA
- Lewis & Clark College, OR
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Marymount Manhattan College, NY
- Metropolitan State University, MN
- Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, WI
- Minneapolis College of Art & Design, MN
- Minneapolis College (MCTC), MN
- Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Minnesota State University-Moorhead
- Model College of Hair Design, MN
- Normandale Community College, MN
- North Dakota State University
- North Hennepin Community College, MN
- Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
- Pacific Northwest College of Art, OR
- Portland State University, OR
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
- Saint Paul College, MN
- San Francisco Art Institute, CA
- San Joaquin Delta College, CA
- Savannah College of Art & Design, GA
- School of Visual Arts, NY
- Southwestern Oregon Community College
- St. Cloud State University, MN
- St. Cloud Technical & Community College, MN
- St. Olaf College, MN
- Teacher Bilingual School, Cofradia, Honduras
- The Culinary Institute of America – NY
- The Evergreen State College, WA
- The New School – All Divisions, NY
- Toronto Film RCC Institute of Technology
- United States Marines
- University of Cincinnati, OH
- University of Guelph, Ontario
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota-Duluth
- University of Minnesota, Morris
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- University of Puget Sound, WA
- University of San Francisco, CA
- University of Sioux Falls, SD
- University of the Pacific, CA
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- University of Wisconsin-Superior
- Volunteer/GAP Year Program
- Warren Wilson College, NC
- Winona State University, MN