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8th–12th Grade Arts Academy

A nationally competitive, immersive program for passionate 8th–12th grade artists that blends strong academics and serious artistic training.

Academics Built for Artists

Our academic program is designed to challenge and support students while honoring the rhythm of an artist’s day.

  • Full college-prep curriculum meeting Iowa graduation requirements

  • Advanced electives for conservatory or college readiness

  • Individualized learning plans guided by certified teachers

  • Weekly academic advising and support for accommodations

  • Capstone project in senior year

  • High School Diploma and Certificate in Performing and Visual Arts Industry Fundamentals upon graduation

Choose Your Path

Students at ICON pursue their artistic discipline in daily, in-depth training, including private lessons, small group coaching, and interdisciplinary project work.

How You Attend: Two Options

Commuting Program
(8th-12 Grade)

Live at home, attend daily classes at ICON, and immerse yourself in the full curriculum alongside your artistic peers.

Residential Program
(9th-12 Grade)

Live in our apartment-style housing and fully experience the artist’s life — independence, collaboration, and community.

⇒Boarding Information

Required Courses

  • All full-time students at ICON receive studio and practice room time, weekly advising with a faculty member, and private lessons/small group coaching.
  • Collaborative workshop time is often built into the schedule for whole school projects.
  • All of ICON’s courses include project-based design. Leveled placement in arts courses, math, wellness courses, and Spanish is based on competency in relationship to Iowa Core Standards and Universal Constructs, not by seat time, age, or grade level.
  • All students at ICON attend yoga and mindfulness twice a week, daily Spanish* instruction, and complete a CPR course sometime during their high school years.
  • *With approval, Spanish instruction can be replaced by an alternate world language though an online/external course of study. Students are required to participate in two years of World Language at ICON.

Full-time 8th-12th grade students take 6-8 major arts discipline courses and 2-4 elective arts discipline courses each year.

Elective Credits: Iowa Conservatory delivers academic coursework that meets all State of Iowa high school diploma requirements, blending project-based learning with a rich arts curriculum.

8th-10th Grade Required Courses
  • US History and World History
  • English Language Arts I and II
  • Life Skills, Food and Nutrition, Health, and Computer Science
  • Math
  • Biology and Environmental Science
  • Spanish (or another world language)
  • Economics, Government, Personal Finance, Capstone Project
  • Composition, World Literature, Creative Writing, and Writing for the Stage
  • Portfolio/College Test Prep*
  • Math (4th year*)
  • Chemistry and/or Physics*
  • Spanish* (or another world language*)

*Indicates a course recommended for college-bound students, but is is not required for high school diploma.

Assessment and Evaluation:

  • Students receive formative verbal and written feedback (rubrics), and receive standards-based grades (A, B, or C) at the end of a course.
  • Mid-terms indicate Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory progress. Students receiving a U will work with the Dean of Students/Guardian to put a learning plan in place.

Elective Credits at ICON:

Theatre

  • ELA5: Fall Play
  • ELA6: Spring Musical
  • ELA7: Shakesperience
  • ELA8: Foundational acting and contemporary scene study course
  • ELA9: Odyssey: An actor’s journey from the origins of theatre to autodrama
  • ELA10: Script Analysis and Visual Literacy
  • ELA11: Actor’s Toolbox
  • ELA12: Voice and Diction
  • ELA13: Stories Gone Wilde- a themed devising course

Design & Production

  • M3: Stagecraft and Set Building Techniques
  • M4: Math for Theatre Practitioners
  • M5: Prop construction
  • M6: Costume Construction 101
  • S2: Design Technology (Lighting)

Music

  • SS4: Music Explorations
  • SS6: Musical Theatre Performance Lab I
  • SS7: Musical Theatre Performance Lab II

Visual Arts

  • SS3: History of Modern Art
  • SS5: Art History I

General

  • M2: Stats
  • SS2: Child Development

Your Future Starts Here

If you’re ready to challenge yourself, create every day, and grow faster than traditional school allows—welcome to ICON.

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