The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted The Academy's enrollment, and like most small schools, has yet to fully recover. At the peak of the pandemic, a ninth grader applying to The Academy would have been in 5th or 6th grade—crucial years for engaging with the arts. Unfortunately, during this time, a whole generation of middle schoolers turned away from the arts due to the shift to online learning and other necessary safety measures.

To address this, we have developed a five-year plan to restore our enrollment to financially sustainable levels. There are reasons for optimism: despite the challenges, our matriculation rates remain high, and our attrition rates are low. In other words, most students who are accepted choose to enroll, and most who enroll stay.

However, to bridge the gap in the short term, we need to raise $3 million by April 30, with $1.5 million needed by December 30. Your support will help us continue to provide an exceptional education for the next generation of artists and scholars.