Through experiences in the arts, students learn essential skills that are transferable across disciplines. In art classrooms students learn creativity and innovation. They learn that problems can have multiple answers. They have opportunities for experimentation and learning from mistakes, and learn to be self-sufficient thinkers – not memorizers. In a world where we want our children to develop the 21st century skills to be inventive in the workplace, these are invaluable skills to embed at a young age.
Our youngest learners receive general arts education from a certified arts specialist. In Middle and Upper school, students typically receive arts education through required electives. In addition to stand-alone arts courses, many classes and cross-curricular projects integrate creative components. Students also benefit from guest artists, arts-related field trips (like mural tours), and more.
The entire school community comes together once each year to Celebrate the Arts, a week-long Shorecrest tradition that invites local artists of all kinds to share their expertise with students in memorable, hands-on experiences and performances.
Our visual arts program supports our mission and dedication to social-emotional learning by helping students share unspoken feelings, work through puzzling thoughts, and contend with abstract thinking. Students with a variety of different learning styles build confidence and get a chance to shine.