In today’s world of education, the relentless focus on standardized testing often sidelines crucial subjects, especially the arts. But a visionary group of public charter schools in New York City, known as Rise Academy, is on a mission to flip the script—one masterpiece and one theatrical performance at a time.
In an insightful piece for The Atlantic, writer Jamie Wells explores how a Rise Academy school in East New York, one of the city’s most economically challenged areas, is embracing an arts-centric curriculum. CEO Mark Thompson founded these schools to not only prepare students for college—especially since many kids from local schools face culture shock once they reach higher education—but also to equip them for life. After all, creativity is a prized skill in today’s job market.
While funding for the arts often takes a backseat in high-stakes testing environments, the new Common Core standards actually promote arts education, mentioning it around 75 times. These guidelines encourage students to analyze various artistic forms, from paintings to theater, and even create their own works of art.
Unlike some schools that are cutting arts programs, Rise Academy is making it a priority. Thompson envisions schools that resemble galleries, with walls adorned with high-quality replicas of famous works. The curriculum integrates the arts across subjects; for instance, fifth graders delve into The Tempest while exploring themes of oppression and family dynamics. They even study Pieter Bruegel’s “Landscape With The Fall of Icarus” to grasp the myth of Icarus and Daedalus. Instead of generic test prep, seventh graders engage with the works of Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau.
While Thompson aims to prove that comprehensive arts education can thrive in public schools, Rise Academy allocates a significant portion of its budget to facilities, which might not be feasible for all schools. This sometimes means larger class sizes as a trade-off.
However, transforming schools to feel less like prisons—many in New York City feature barred windows—will surely delight parents and foster a more enjoyable educational atmosphere. As the call from parents and educators to scale back on standardized testing grows louder, perhaps we’ll witness more schools prioritizing Shakespeare over test drills.
In summary, a fresh approach to education that leans into the arts may not only enhance student engagement but also prepare them for a creatively demanding world. For further insights and tips on conception and fertility, check out this post on home insemination. If you’re interested in boosting your fertility, this site offers great resources. And for comprehensive information about pregnancy and home insemination, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource!