Introducing our Performing Arts Program

The arts have always been an important part of the Highlands School experience, allowing us to provide students with a rich, well-rounded, and complete education. Music education is linked to many skills that benefit students in life, including the development of self control, focus, working memory, planning, confidence, creativity, verbal intelligence, listening skills, problem solving, and decision making. Not to mention, music education has been proven to enhance and advance students' abilities in language and mathematics. At Highlands, we believe in the power of music education. Music is an essential part of our curriculum, and therefore, music is included in our regular curriculum reviews, the most recent of which we completed during the 2023-2024 school year.

As we reviewed our music curriculum, it became abundantly clear that, while our program includes in-depth learning resulting in dynamic musicianship, it also includes dance, movement, public speaking, and drama. Aligned with national music standards, our program is committed to providing students with opportunities and development in all aspects of artistic expression, which is why we have decided to rename this program Performing Arts.

As we move forward and continue to cultivate our Performing Arts program, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers and storytellers. We are excited to enhance our program with the integration of two curricula: GAMEPLAN and Purposeful Pathways. These curricula have been meticulously crafted and curated by expert teams, ensuring that all of the content meets national standards. We are also delighted to expand our musical instrument collection in order to provide students with more possibilities to advance their skills with various instruments.

With our Performing Arts update, we will continue our commitment to music theory education with a more hands-on approach that delves deeper into the theoretical underpinnings of music. This enhanced focus will empower students to pursue any musical instrument with confidence. Students in 1st through 3rd grades will have access to theory books, enabling more comprehensive assessment of their understanding of general music principles. Students in 3rd through 5th grades will focus on specific instruments as they hone their craft. Students in 3rd grade will learn soprano recorders, 4th grade soprano and alto recorders, and 5th grade ukuleles. In addition, 5th-grade performing arts students will work on orchestration and perform as an ensemble at various school events.

In Middle School, we are dedicated to continuing the second-semester spring musical, an eagerly anticipated event based on an MTI (Musical Theatre International) play. This production encapsulates our dedication to growing and refining performance excellence, confidence, collaboration, compassion, and creativity. Building upon this foundation, we are excited to introduce a new elective possibility for middle school students during the first semester: Highlands Goes Broadway. This elective will provide students with an opportunity to explore and develop their vocal and acting talents. Through a collaborative effort, students will showcase their skills through captivating performances of Broadway show tunes. This addition not only enriches our curriculum but also further encourages artistic exploration and fosters a deeper appreciation for the performing arts within our school community.

We are very excited about the continued growth and development of our Performing Arts program at Highlands School, and we look forward to showcasing our students’ learning in various ways throughout the school year and beyond.

Bree Holland
Director of Middle School and Encore