Newton High Student Lands Spot at Top Midwest Film School

Miles Soppe to attend DePaul University's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts in Chicago

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:47pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid of film camera icons in neon shades of blue, pink, and yellow, capturing the creative energy of the cinematic arts.A vibrant visual celebration of the cinematic arts, as a Newton High student secures a spot at one of the top film schools in the Midwest.Pella Today

Newton High School senior Miles Soppe has signed to attend DePaul University's Computing and Digital Media School of Cinematic Arts in Chicago this fall. Soppe, who has excelled in speech and theater at Newton High, was drawn to DePaul's top-ranked film program after taking a film class in Des Moines that sparked her interest in the industry.

Why it matters

Soppe's achievement highlights the growing interest and opportunities for high school students to pursue careers in the cinematic arts, an industry that continues to evolve with new technologies and creative outlets. Her decision to attend a prestigious film school in a major city like Chicago also reflects broader trends of Iowa students seeking out top-tier programs beyond the state.

The details

Soppe had a signing ceremony at Newton High School on Wednesday to commemorate her acceptance to DePaul's film school. She has qualified for the State Speech Competition all three years of high school and received the highest rating for her solo musical theater performance this year. Soppe has also been involved in school plays since 8th grade and will be performing in Newton High's upcoming production of 'Aladdin JR.' After taking a film class in Des Moines, Soppe decided she wanted to pursue a career in the film industry, leading her to apply and get accepted to DePaul's renowned program.

  • Soppe had a signing ceremony at Newton High School on Wednesday, April 3, 2026.
  • Soppe will be attending DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts starting in the fall of 2026.

The players

Miles Soppe

A senior at Newton High School who has excelled in speech, theater, and film, and will be attending DePaul University's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts in Chicago.

DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts

A top-ranked film school in the Midwest and one of the best in the country, located in Chicago, Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“For a while I really thought I was going to do more of the theater side of stuff. But then after taking this class, I was like I really like film. And then somehow I found something talking about Depaul. And it's actually the top film school in the Midwest, and in the top ten in the entire country. They also have a good theatre school. So after I saw that, I said, 'That sounds amazing.'”

— Miles Soppe, Newton High School Senior

What’s next

Soppe will graduate from Newton High School this spring and begin classes at DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts in Chicago in the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

Soppe's achievement in securing a spot at one of the top film schools in the country demonstrates the growing interest and opportunities for high school students to pursue careers in the cinematic arts. Her decision to attend a prestigious program outside of Iowa also reflects broader trends of students seeking out top-tier programs beyond their home state.