School Life
The Arts
The Arts at Calvary
The focus of the Arts Program at Calvary Christian School is to provide the students an opportunity to learn in a different format; gain exposure to new insights, traditions and world cultures; develop creative problem-solving, critical-thinking and self-expression skills; and hopefully ignite an interest or deepen a passion for the Arts. Calvary's core curriculum offers classes in music theory, theater arts and fine arts.
Our dedicated art facilities complement our commitment to celebrating creativity and discovery through the Arts, from studio art to music and theater.
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Program at Calvary is designed to expand students’ learning beyond the core curriculum. Providing a secure platform and professional instruction to develop effective art skills, the program engages students to see what they look at, hear what they listen to, and feel what they touch. Through small group and hands-on instruction, students will broaden their understanding and elicit excitement for the many wonderful applications of art and design.
The goal of the Fine Arts curriculum is to create individual portfolios showcasing a broad range of artistic skills and mediums as the children, beginning in Transitional Kindergarten, advance through their years at Calvary. In addition to the traditional art skill sets of drawing, painting and ceramics, students receive instruction in digital drawing, architecture, textiles (hand sewing, felt work, weaving, embroidery and cross stitch), set design, and graphic arts. Artistic exploration through photography and iPad photography is also offered, teaching composition and history of photography as both an art form and a commercial practice.
The Fine Arts Department also collaborates with the Academic Resource Center to enhance the focused cultural arts studies program and weave the visual art component into the learning of a new culture.
The Fine Arts Department also collaborates with the Academic Resource Center to enhance the focused cultural arts studies program and weave the visual art component into the learning of a new culture.
Performing Arts
Calvary is committed to instilling in its students a high level of confidence and ease with self-expression, public speaking, and creative problem solving. Calvary's Performing Arts program is designed to celebrate innovation and creativity, foster cultural understanding, elicit self-awareness, and enhance interests and passions for theater.
Every student in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade has the opportunity to participate in theater. Calvary's small class sizes provide students unique opportunities to explore their theatrical passions in a safe, professionally regulated, and encouraging environment. In every class meeting, each student has an opportunity to perform and present his or her theatrical skill of study.
Utilizing Calvary’s state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, students have many opportunities to perform in front of larger audiences throughout the year. Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade participates in an all-school poetry contest. Kindergarten through 5th grade performs grade level plays. The eighth grade class performs a much-anticipated, large-scale musical. Middle school students also have an opportunity to further develop their theatrical interests and abilities through an array of exploratory classes such as Improv, a Short Film and Set Design.
Calvary also offers a very popular after-school theater program for students in second through sixth grade.
Music Program
Calvary’s Music Program is designed to immerse students in a rich variety of active music-making experiences through high-quality, engaging instruction. From Transitional Kindergarten through 5th Grade, students learn to read and write music, develop strong vocal technique, and explore a wide range of instruments. Throughout the year, students participate in rigorous and exciting preparation for two major choral performances—the Christmas Concert and Spring Sing—featuring thoughtfully selected repertoire that spans musical styles, cultures, and historical periods.
Instrumental instruction is a joyful and essential part of the elementary music experience. Students receive hands-on instruction with recorder, ukulele, drums, and a variety of percussion instruments, while also being introduced to ethnic and orchestral instruments. These experiences build musical literacy, coordination, and confidence in a fun, educational environment. Vocally, students learn to sing in rounds, and two- and three-part harmony, perform music from different decades and genres, and explore songs from around the world, including singing in foreign languages. Calvary’s uniquely small Performing Arts classes allow students frequent opportunities to showcase their abilities and receive highly individualized instruction.
Middle School students continue to build upon the strong musical foundation established in Elementary School, expanding their skills and pursuing specific areas of interest. Opportunities include participation in Middle School Musicals and exploratory ensembles such as Chapel Band, which encourage creativity, collaboration, and leadership.
In addition, Calvary’s Music Program offers an after-school orchestra (based on student and family interest and sufficient enrollment) for students interested in applied instrumental studies. Repeated participation in this ensemble allows students to refine their technique, perform more advanced repertoire, and collaborate musically with peers across multiple grade levels.
