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Accordingly Curtis sets no minimum age for the admission of exceptional students to most of its programs. Even the youngest, elementary school-aged students receive musical training from the same teachers at the same intensive levels as do their older colleagues (the only difference being that the younger students may receive extra lessons).
Until they earn a high-school diploma or equivalent and take the SAT I and, if necessary, the TOEFL, students younger than college age are considered candidates for the Diploma. These students pursue their musical studies at Curtis and their college-preparatory academic studies at an accredited public or private school of their own choosing. Several such schools are within walking distance of Curtis.
Costs for tuition, fees, books, school uniforms, and other expenditures are the responsibility of the student and family. Students must apply for all outside scholarships and grants BEFORE requesting financial assistance from Curtis.
Contact the school of choice to request information about financial assistance available at that school. Most schools have payment plan options. When meeting with the school of choice, students and family should bring the Curtis financial aid award letter. For information about schools near Curtis contact Laurel Grady, associate dean of student life and international student affairs.
It is the student and family's responsibility to make an appointment with the appropriate person at the school of choice to discuss school schedules, classes, financial obligations, and deadlines.
High school students wishing to take an accelerated course load at their school of choice should submit requests to Laurel Grady no later than August 1. Curtis and the student’s school of choice will consider all requests based on transcripts, English language proficiency, and placement tests. These will be weighed carefully to ensure that the student will be able to make normal progress academically and musically. Additionally, enrolling in online course work for high school credit will be considered at the discretion of Curtis. International students who are non-native English speakers are not eligible to take online courses for a high school diploma. For details and more information, contact Laurel Grady.
Please be advised that Curtis has limited funding for high school, middle school, and elementary school tuition. Curtis will cover only a portion of the tuition. All other high school tuition and expenses are the responsibility of the student and family. For additional questions, contact Veronica McAuley, director of student financial assistance.
Students under sixteen years of age are required to live with a parent or adult guardian. In consultation with the dean and the faculty, academically advanced younger students may on occasion be permitted to enroll in academic courses for which they demonstrate superior aptitude.
* Non-native speakers of English are required to take the TOEFL. The TOEFL scores for students entering the Diploma program will be used for placement purposes only.
Performance
Musical Studies
Pre-college-aged students must be enrolled in an accredited elementary- or secondary-school program or other approved program. (The registrar must be informed of student enrollment in non-Curtis academic programs.)
Students must maintain satisfactory grades (which Curtis defines as 2.0 or better) in their school programs, and they must provide Curtis with evidence of satisfactory progress each marking period or semester.
Curtis has a long tradition of encouraging artists of every age to pursue their musical talents. In an effort to support our pre-college students as effectively as possible, we developed the Young Artists Initiative. It was designed to provide a coordinated and holistic approach to support students of pre-college age across every facet of their educational experience.
The Young Artists Initiative provides support to the young artist by providing:
The Young Artists Initiative monitors the young artist’s progress: