Arts Education is provided to all students in elementary schools, K-5, in weekly art education classes. In the sixth grade, students participate in an arts education rotation to further explore the various art forms. Additionally, students in middle school may elect to study more visual arts in specific visual arts courses. In high school, students may take a full range of introductory as well as advanced-level courses in the visual arts. Honors classes, Advanced Placement classes, and International Baccalaureate classes provide in-depth learning opportunities in the visual arts.
In the CMS schools, visual and performing arts are recognized as an essential component of our youth. The arts programs provide a basic understanding and unique opportunities for all students as well as students with special interests and talents in the arts. The visual and performing arts department is home to over 500 music, visual arts, dance, and theatre teachers. The visual and performing arts curriculum is the NC Standard Course of Study, which is directly aligned with the National Standards for Arts Education.
The programs maintain a substantive focus by concentrating on student learning, choosing the arts content that includes complex problem solving and higher order thinking skills; serious alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment and instructional methods; and professional development for teachers that will result in student learning.