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 (including a musical theater track), 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.

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 2023-2024 Printable Year-At-A-Glance Calendar

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 $3.00 for breakfast, $4.00 for lunch, and $4.00 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.

Arts high school students come from around the entire state of Minnesota – about 70% are from the metro area and about 30% are from greater Minnesota. Students have the option of staying in the residence hall on campus.

• Dance
• Literary Arts
• Media Arts
• Music
• Theater (including a Musical Theater track)
• 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 admissions review approximately one month later.

The admissions 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 (visit our Parent & Student Resources page for current meal rates). The school does not participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program but those families that would normally qualify for free and reduced meal fees may apply and the school will honor those that qualify. 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 70% 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. Perpich has offered 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.