Arts Build Skills

Through this plan, we aim to broaden student critical thinking and problem-solving skills by integrating arts training in elementary and middle school curriculums. In 2012, we launched The ABS pilot program which consisted of a five-week session of two afterschool classes each week of Math, Art and Readers Theater for 2nd-grade students attending West Elementary School. The goal was to demonstrate the positive impact of teaching through the arts on student academic and social performance. The results were so encouraging that it was later adopted by both West and Hillcrest Elementary schools. Because teachers saw the positive results with the integration of arts in the curriculum, the program has blossomed. All eleven elementary schools are now making efforts to include art programming in the regular school curriculum. HC*EXCELL is continuing to support training for teachers in these efforts as well as sponsoring the Day of the Arts.