School Spotlight: Arts in Education

Portland is home to thriving arts culture, so it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of options when it comes to selecting a school the integrates the arts into core curriculum. Is your child a doodler, a dreamer or a dancer? Then consider some of these schools to help them nurture their creative side:

Using the Waldorf education model, the Portland Village Charter School strives to inspire its student’s curiosity by combining arts education with core academic material. Unlike the traditional classroom model of memorization and repeating of facts, at this school art, music, dance and games are all part of the method of instruction. There’s also attention given to nurturing the emotional development of students and providing time in the natural world. Admission by lottery, applications available online. Located at 7654 N Delaware Avenue Portland, OR 97217.

Tucked away in SW Portland is another school that incorporates the arts into all aspects of learning. Jackson Middle School has been a Leonard Bernstein Artful Learning school for fifteen years, with an established curriculum that engages multiple learning styles and gives students a way to demonstrate what they have learned. Bernstein believed that by using art as a vehicle for learning students would become more engaged and involved with their studies. Open to students in district with a small number of transfer slots available each year. Located at 10625 SW 35th Portland, OR 97219.

 Milwaukie Academy of the Arts is a free public charter school with a K-12 arts integration program. Offering a wide variety of visual and performing arts classes in addition to an integrated arts core curriculum, Milwaukie Academy of the Arts students and parents report a high degree of satisfaction with their school experience. Instructors focus on teaching the skills that will be necessary for students to succeed in higher education as well as in the workforce including complex problem-solving skills and the ability to think “outside of the box.” Admission by application. Located at 11300 SE 23rd Ave. Milwaukie, OR 97222.