Arts Brochure

THE ARTS

Writing about art, music, and drama is almost an oxymoron.
The arts are meant to be seen, listened to, or performed. Some
might say that Paideia is an “artsy school” because so many
junior high and high school students are actively engaged in
the arts. However, an even a higher percentage of students
take social studies, and we are not known as a “history school.”
The real reason for this reputation is that those students who
paint, sing, or act have long evidenced a passion, nurtured by
great teachers, for the chance to do what they do in a public
setting.
Linoleum block print by Bronwyn Katz

Each of the 18 teachers in Paideia’s arts program brings
his or her style and expertise to the classroom. In the high
school, students take arts courses in both the long terms
and the short terms. Some courses are better suited for
the expanded class times during short term; others fit quite
nicely into a 50-minute slot. Many courses are offered every
year and others rotate to increase the variety of choices
available to students.
One does not major in any area in high school, but some
students squeeze in so many arts courses that it almost
looks like a major. In music, most stay with either chorus,
band, or orchestra all four years. Visual artists sample
courses in different media.

Drama is available both within the course
structure and in afterschool productions. In
the high school there is a student-run musical
at the beginning of the year, an elaborate
musical every January, and several serious
dramatic productions with smaller casts
throughout the year. There are opportunities
for junior high students to become involved in
dramatic productions from writing to acting
to tech crew. The junior high musical, a long
tradition at Paideia, takes place in the spring
and other junior high-wide and classroom
plays occur throughout the year.
Many Paideia alums have pursued successful
careers in the arts. There are screenwriters,
film makers, comedy writers, artists,
photographers, musicians classical and rock,
and even a stand-up comedian or two. Most
graduates do not earn their living in the arts,
but instead make the arts a constant part
of their adult life. Almost all say that their
Paideia arts experience was transformative.

HIGH SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS MUSIC D RAMA
Long Term
SAMPLES
Drawing and painting
Photography
Ceramics
Digital design
Printmaking
Chamber orchestra
Jazz ensemble
Wind ensemble
Chorale
Music theory
Film
Acting workshop
Acting master class
Playwriting/
screenwriting
Theater tech
Short Term
SAMPLES
Small metals
Digital playground
Studio lighting
Clothing design
Clay canvas
Playing with fire: Raku
West African drumming
Improvisational music
Musical: cast, Ceramic tech crew, bust
orchestraby Abby Freed
Chamber music
Songwriting workshop
Standup 101
Acting – troupe play
Acting – improvisation
Playwriting
Classic films

Ceramic bust
by Abby Freed

This photo by Libby Kirk
was shot with a Mamiya 645 and
printed in Paideia’s darkroom.
It won both a Regional and
National Scholastic Gold Key
and will be exhibited around
the country for two years.
Libby, a dancer herself, says
this photograph "turned into
a commentary on the audition
process and ballet as a whole.”

Noteworthy
Paideia elementary students have music class twice a week. In a program based on the philosophies of the German
composer Carl Orff, children use their bodies, voices and minds to understand and practice musical concepts. All 5th
and 6th graders participate in either the elementary band or orchestra program. The choral program also begins in
5th grade.
Recent graduates have been awarded Presidential and merit scholarships to attend college art programs at
Boston University, CalArts, Maryland Institute College of Art, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Pratt Institute,
Rhode Island School of Design, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Paideia's art students have a strong record of gold and silver key awards in the regional Scholastic Art and Writing
contests: almost every year a student wins in the national Scholastic competition as well. Usually
several students are finalists in the best of High School and College photography contest. Their photographs
are published in the Photographer's Forum book.
Paideia does not discriminate on the basis of race,
religion, ethnic group, gender, or sexual orientation.
THE ARTS
All high school music students go on a music trip every other year. They have performed in Alice Tully Hall
in Lincoln Center in New York, Jordan Hall in Boston, and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
PAIDEIASCHOOL.ORG
© 2016. The Paideia School. All rights reserved.
Photo Credits: Danny Lee Photography, Kemi Griffin, and the Paideia yearbook staff