The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Academy honored for arts integration in early grades
Singing, dancing, drawing and performing aren’t just for special classes at North Metro Academy of Performing Arts. The Norcross school launched an integrative arts program in 2014 that gives kids in kindergarten through fifth grade the chance to express themselves in every subject.
“We’re the brainchild of Beauty Baldwin, a principal and superintendent in the Buford City Schools who wanted to have a school that retained kids, and she felt it would happen through the fine arts,” said Princi-
pal Rodriguez Johnson. “She started this as a charter to give students opportunities to explore drama, dance, music and art.”
This year, the fully in-per- son North Metro moved from a charter to the first themed elementary in the county. It’s also added phys- ical education components and boasts a wealth of afterschool enrichment activities.
“These let students do a deep dive into the programming,” said Johnson. “We have clubs and organizations for orchestra, art, gardening, running and guitar. A new hip-hop group is writ- ing songs.”
The idea has caught on with parents of 320 students who opt to attend North Metro.
“We can accept any student from Gwinnett County Public Schools,” said Johnson. “We’re also 100% car riders. These parents make a commitment to bring their kids every day. Our parent engagement is very high; we see them at least twice a day, and many of them participate in programs as well.”
Parent Adrianna Dera- mous drives her 5-year-old from Lawrenceville for the arts culture at the school.
“From the moment I went to an open house, I didn’t care if it was a 50-minute drive,” she said. “My daughter’s been there only a few months, and she’s excelled so much it gives me the chills. I love that they offer these opportunities at such a young age.”
Deramous, herself a student at Georgia Gwinnett College, also helps out after school.
“My daughter was accepted into the robotics club,” she said. “Now I volunteer with it, and I’ve seen how even at 5 they can do so much.”
The Georgia Department of Education recently named North Metro one of three in the state as a Creative School Arts Integration School of Excellence. The award honors schools that provide students with access to rigorous arts education in every subject and offer ongoing professional development for the faculty. That last element is particularly strong, said Johnson.
“We have a partnership with ArtsNow that comes in quarterly to work with our teachers,” he said. “They provide lesson plans and model how to integrate theater, art, music and dance. We recently had a session where they did it with fifth-grade factions and a third-grade unit on Native Americans. Sometimes professional development can be abstract, but when it’s here in your classroom, you really see how it brings the ideas to life.”