The reduction of daily art and music classes in many schools across the nation can be a discouraging reality to witness. Not only can the fine arts open students’ minds to new ways of thinking, but these creative programs can present entire worlds of possibilities that might otherwise go completely unexplored or untapped.
Luckily, charter schools often teach the arts as part of their overall curriculum, and some even offer more immersive arts education tailored to students with an affinity for such endeavors.
If you have a child whose talents lie in skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, singing, acting or playing an instrument, the following five charters represent but a few of the schools in Dallas-Fort Worth that can nurture these gifts.
The Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Pegasus offers a well-rounded approach to education by providing every student in grades K-12 art and music education, including exposure to creativity, self-expression and fine arts history. Drawing, painting, mixed media, percussion, choir and guitar are some of the disciplines students can explore.
Life School
Life School is a network of charter schools that believes fine arts education is a vital part of the curriculum, from elementary through high school. Life School engages in multiple hands-on fine art experiences for students, including exploring their cultures and developing their natural talents. Collaboration, communication and self-management skills are important byproducts of arts classes.
Village Tech Schools
In addition to its technical training, Village Tech Schools offers students opportunities in the performing arts, whether it’s acting in a play, singing in the choir or applying technical skills behind the scenes as a vital component of each. The Forge, which is Village Tech’s center of learning, connects students in five different areas, including a maker space, build shop, design studios, computer labs, and art studios with sculpture, printmaking, photography, painting, 3D design and printing, and digital graphic design.
Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy (PTAA)
Though its curricular focus as a STEM school might seem at odds with fine arts, PTAA understands the importance of music and visual arts as part of students’ coursework to foster creativity in all areas, including innovation and design. The arts are used to engage students, explore abstract concepts and foster creativity while strengthening their STEM skills.
Academy of Dallas
This pre-K through eighth grade school has partnered with the Alamo Arts Academy to provide sixth- through eighth-grade students with a year-round, multimedia educational curriculum. The program is designed to challenge students academically and creatively through hands-on experience in film production, audio engineering, photography and graphic design with both online and in-person courses.