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the Fine Arts department Web site
Arts education is an important part of a child's education
in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. Thanks to
the support of the district Governing Board and the community,
Paradise Valley Schools lead the way in fine arts education.
Courses and co-curricular activities in music, the visual
arts, speech, drama and dance challenge our students. The
curriculum for all arts classes is based on the Arizona Academic
Standards for the Arts.
In 1991, Paradise Valley School District was named a "Model
School District in Visual Art" by the Arizona State
Department of Education. This recognition was granted because
the district provides an art teacher in every elementary
school and the curriculum is continuously reviewed to ensure
it follows current trends in art education. Students participate
in a sequential visual arts program which is offered in grades
K - 12. In the high schools, a full range of courses are
offered to students interested in art. Career and technical
classes in graphic design prepare students for future careers.
An annual student visual art show displays the work of our
talented students in grades K - 12. Several pieces are purchased
by the district to be framed and become a part of a permanent
student art collection on exhibit in the district administrative
complex. We are very proud that several of our art teachers
are presenters at state and national art conventions, and
teachers have received statewide recognition as Art Teacher of the Year.
Speech, debate, drama, dance and television production challenge
students interested in these areas. Creative dramatics activities
are integrated into the classroom at the elementary level.
Speech, theatre and debate teams have won many state and national
awards and have been invited to compete at prestigious national
tournaments such as Harvard and Berkeley invitationals.
Music instruction begins in Kindergarten grade when students experience
general music classes taught by specialists. These classes
develop students' psychomotor and thinking skills, in addition
to developing their love of music. Students may begin instruction
on band or string instruments in fourth grade. Elementary school chorus is available to
students in most Paradise Valley schools before or after school.
These classes remain in the curriculum through high school.
Each year the District sponsors elementary, middle, and high
school choral and instrumental festivals. After a day of rehearsal,
an evening concert is presented to the public. Individual
students can demonstrate their talents and win ribbons for
achievement at the annual Solo and Ensemble Festival. Our
students often earn top marks at festivals sponsored by the
Arizona Music Educators Association, and are selected for
participation at All-State in all areas of music performance.
Each year, our schools are awarded thousands of dollars in
grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the Phoenix
Office of Arts & Culture, The Scottsdale Cultural Council and Musicfest of Carefree.
This money is used to bring community artists into our schools
to enhance the total school arts program through direct interaction
with students and teachers. It is the vision of individual teachers, administrators, the
Governing Board, and parents which keeps our basic arts programs
among the best in the state, and enhances student learning.
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