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Arts & Innovation

Arts and design are essential components of the Parker curriculum, helping students to think independently and explore their creativity.

Beginning in Junior Kindergarten and continuing through Upper School, students are challenged to explore artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, and aesthetic valuing. Parker offers an abundance of creative outlets across design thinking, visual arts, publications, music, theater, and dance.

Design Thinking

Turning Failure into Growth

From hands-on builds to tech-centric activities to learning new skills like 3-D printing, Design Thinking classes challenge Parker students to become adept at creative thinking, problem-solving, perseverance, and collaboration. The strengths cultivated through design thinking translate to science, math, and arts disciplines while positioning Lancers for further studies in STEM and design.

Design Thinking is all around us: We see it in the scientific method, historical research, and the artistic and writing process. We want students to apply the same rigorous thinking learned in science or math, or art, or English, or music, or performing arts to all of their thinking. Dan Lang, Head of Middle School

Students work on a project in the Design lab
Students read the yearbook

Publications

Creative Writing, Journalism, & Publication Design

Parker students flex their writing, organizational, and design expertise to create professional-quality publications. Middle School and Upper School yearbook provides outlets for photography, design, and writing skills. And in the Upper School, two multi-award-winning, student-run magazines—Bema and The Scribe—showcase both non-fiction journalism and creative works. 

Theater

Building Confidence Through Creative Expression

Lower School students have the opportunity to perform, direct, write, choreograph, and create sets and costumes through grade-wide productions.

Through the drama elective, Middle School students learn theater terminology, perform monologues and scenes, and create one-act plays and original pieces for capstone performances. 

The Upper School drama program includes textual analysis of plays, advanced improvisational studies, and studying acting methods from acting greats like Konstantin Stanislavski, Stella Adler, and Sanford Meisner. Parker also boasts an internationally renowned Francis Parker Drama Club, which puts on several plays and a musical each year.
 

Drama Club members performing a scene from Antigone
The Drama Club Presents...

Antigone

Watch the Recording on Vimeo

Dance

Technique, Choreography, & Performance

Middle School students spend time exploring ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, hip hop, and various cultural dances, and by Grade 8, students have the opportunity to choreograph and perform their own works.

In Upper School, dancers learn advanced choreography that builds and showcases their talents during dance performances and regional festivals. Students also have the opportunity to strengthen their choreography skills and perform with professional dance companies.

Visual Arts

Studio Art, Woodworking, Ceramics, Photography, Sculpture, & Motion Media

State-of-the-art facilities and expert instruction support Parker students as they establish and grow their own creative perspectives in the visual arts.

Courses from JK to Grade 12 allow students to produce original works of art from concept to completion. Formal elements and principles of design are introduced and emphasized with an appreciation for a diverse global artistic heritage. Our campuses include a fully-equipped 2-D studio, woodshop, ceramics studio, darkroom, and stone and bronze sculpture facility.

Music

Concert Band, Orchestra, Percussion, Guitar, Chorus, & Pep Band

From Lower School sing-alongs and concerts to Middle School Rock Project to Pep Band performances at Lancer sports games, music is everywhere on our two campuses.

Students have the opportunity to learn a variety of instruments, play with a group or learn solo numbers, and study an array of musical styles. Professional performers serve as expert instructors and instill professionalism, confidence, and a high-level of skill in Parker musicians. 

interested in the arts at Parker?

When you inquire, you can indicate arts interests, athletic interests, and more about your student so our team can have a great first conversation with you. Plus, you can register for on-campus events, information sessions, campus tours, and more.


 

Arts & Innovation Stories