Middle Schools and Arts
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Anonymous
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If your child went to or goes to a DC middle school, which ones do you recommend that have some arts instruction offered as part of the curriculum? We have been sitting in on Open Houses for middle schools (DCPS and charter) and cannot believe how many do not offer Arts as part of their core curriculum and limited arts as electives. Our kid is in a public charter elementary school- the feeder charter middle school is very tech/STEM (not STEAM) based. She sat in on their Open house and was not excited about the classes or teaching style. Our kid is both arts and technology -oriented.
When we asked a question about the Arts curriculum for our in-bound middle school, the principal actually said "Well, you know, we probably all had those art projects in middle school and HS where it looked pretty, but there was NO learning ...." I was pretty shocked by that statement since many 21st professions require design thinking/visual arts skills (acute observation, speed, creative problem solving and abstract thinking, etc....) for success and innovation. We don't have the budget for a private school so hoping that there are some DC middle schools that have options. Thank you all for your recommendations and sharing your experiences- |
Anonymous
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Inspired Teaching is kind of artsy and strong in performing arts. Not so strong in tech.
In general middle school here sucks so I suggest you manage your and your Dc's expectations. You may not find any public school that meets this description. |
Anonymous
| Deal kids get it for part of the year in sixth and eighth grades. |
Anonymous
| Capital City has an amazing arts program. It has been fantastic for our artsy middle schooler who is able to engage in the arts all year round through both scheduled classes and after-school programming. |
Anonymous
| OP here- Thanks so much for suggestions! One weird benefit of pandemic life is it is easier to attend Open Houses since they are all virtual at least- thanks again! ๐๐ฝ |
Anonymous
| You might look at McKinley. I canโt speak to their arts program, but I know the kids can take classes as McKinley Tech. Might be worth attending their open house. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Hardy does it well. Look on the website. Amazing instructor. Popular elective class. Understand the school is hard to get in out of bounds currently though. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| My child is at Francis Stevens middle and I am not impressed with the core arts program. They do have arts as electives, but arts does feel sidelined. I do not think the school even has a band. |
Anonymous
Very few do. |
Anonymous
| Every child at DCI takes arts every year -- could be art or music. It's in the target language for many students (typically not those new to the language). The arts program is very strong and taken very seriously as part of IB. |
Anonymous
We were impressed with what and how they taught too. |
Anonymous
| I can't speak from experience, but I know that Hearst has a good reputation in the arts. |
Anonymous
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Stuart-Hobson MS has a strong arts program and all students have the option to take it as an elective class.
The art teacher, Ms. Smullen, received the Milken Education Award last year. |
Anonymous
It's not a middle school though. |