Home > School Directory > Massachusetts

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Tel: (508) 650-5020

12 Highland Street
Natick, MA 01760

www.walnuthillarts.org

REQUEST INFO

SAVE SCHOOL

Walnut Hill School for the Arts is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience purposefully designed for student artists in grades 9-12, and a postgraduate year. We offer unparalleled training in dance; music; theater; visual art; and writing, film & media arts, complemented by a robust and innovative academic curriculum.

Every aspect of our program promotes our students' growth as bold artists, curious learners, and mindful citizens. Students from across the country and around the globe come together to form a dynamic community on our scenic campus located just west of Boston in Natick, Massachusetts.

Guided by master teachers and supported by peers from a variety of artistic backgrounds, Walnut Hill students graduate prepared to succeed in college and beyond. Learn more at www.walnuthillarts.org or follow us @WalnutHillArts.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12, PG
Enrollment: 275 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $64,460
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,680
Acceptance rate: 47%
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

Pre-prof. Arts / College-prep

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12, PG

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1893

1909

Campus Size

30 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

Non Nobis Solum — Not for Ourselves Alone

Student Body

Enrollment

275 students

300 students

% Students of Color

17%

25%

% International Students

30%

20%

% Students Boarding

80%

70%

Offers Post-Grad Year

Yes

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

16 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

7:1

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

84%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

n/a

Courses

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$16 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$64,460

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$48,680

$33,500

% Students on Financial Aid

39%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$36,000

$25,000

Merit Scholarships Offered

n/a

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Average Percentile SSAT

n/a%

Acceptance Rate

47%

58%

Director of Admissions

Kevin Smith

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

Colors

Red, Purple

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

AgoniesAIDS Action Committee

Black and Hispanic Awareness (BHA)Campus Players

Environment ClubForeign and American Student Organization

Gargoyle - yearbookGay Straight Alliance (GSA)

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)Gold Key Club

International ClubJunior Singing Group (JSG)

MischordsMixed Nuts

SADDStudents Against Destructive Decisions

The Blue Pencil

Show More (1)Hide

Club or Organization:

Student GovernmentStudents of Color Group

Yearbook

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

Walnut Hill School for the Arts is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience purposefully designed for student artists in grades 912, and a postgraduate year. We offer unparalleled training in dance; music; theater; visual art; and writing, film & media arts, complemented by a robust and innovative academic curriculum. Every aspect of our program promotes our students' growth as bold artists, curious learners, and mindful citizens. Students from across the country and around the globe come together to form a dynamic community on our scenic campus located just west of Boston in Natick, Massachusetts. Guided by master teachers and supported by peers from a variety of artistic backgrounds, Walnut Hill students graduate prepared to succeed in college and beyond. Learn more at www.walnuthillarts.org or follow us @WalnutHillArts.
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Zan Berube '16: Interviewed for Daily Actor for her role on the Back to the Future: The Musical tour -
- Jimmy Fowlie '04: Writer for Saturday Night Live, featured in SNL50 Documentary -
- Soleil Vailes '24: Performed at the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship with Spelman Glee Club -
- Tia Maria Apicella '20: Appeared in Sister Act at Seacoast Repertory Theatre -
- Bailey Moon '11: Subject of a feature in Vogue Magazine as wardrobe advisor to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden -
- Joshua Holden '01: Nominated for an Emmy Award for work as a Puppet Wrangler on Sesame Street -
- William Yang '19: First Prize winner of the 11th National Chopin Piano Competition -

Source: Verified school update

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Walnut Hill School for the Arts cost?

Walnut Hill School for the Arts's tuition is approximately $64,460 for boarding students and $48,680 for day students.

What schools are Walnut Hill School for the Arts often compared to?

Walnut Hill School for the Artsis often viewed alongside schools like Idyllwild Arts Academy by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts?

The acceptance rate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts is 47%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

Who are famous alumni from Walnut Hill School for the Arts?

Walnut Hill School for the Arts famous alumni include: Zan Berube '16: Interviewed for Daily Actor for her role on the Back to the Future: The Musical tour, Jimmy Fowlie '04: Writer for Saturday Night Live, featured in SNL50 Documentary, Soleil Vailes '24: Performed at the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship with Spelman Glee Club, Tia Maria Apicella '20: Appeared in Sister Act at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Bailey Moon '11: Subject of a feature in Vogue Magazine as wardrobe advisor to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Joshua Holden '01: Nominated for an Emmy Award for work as a Puppet Wrangler on Sesame Street and William Yang '19: First Prize winner of the 11th National Chopin Piano Competition.

When is the application deadline for Walnut Hill School for the Arts?

The application deadline for Walnut Hill School for the Arts is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Walnut Hill School for the Arts Alumni #1
Class of 2016
5.002/6/2017
Bard College

The arts focus of Walnut Hill made it so the students were all artistically passionate, creative, and motivated. Also the classes were catered towards this kind of thinking, so it was engaging to take part. . .

Walnut Hill School for the Arts Alumni #2
Class of 2016
5.001/18/2017
Eastman school of Muisc

As our school is an art school, it was unique that all academic classes end at 2pm and resuming art classes from then. . .

Walnut Hill School for the Arts Alumni #3
Class of 2005
5.0012/4/2016
University of Southern California

Walnut Hill is - as the name suggests - a school for the arts. This not only means that each student is immersed in both academic classes typical of any high school and also rigorous. . .