Reimagining Schools: From Prisons to Art Galleries

What if schools were designed like art galleries instead of resembling prisons? It’s a thought-provoking idea, especially considering how standardized testing has taken over classrooms, pushing important programs like arts education to the back burner. Thankfully, a network of public charter schools in New York City, called Creative Learning, is on a mission to change that—one artwork and one performance at a time.

Insights from Creative Learning

In a recent piece from the Atlantic, writer Jamie Park shares insights about one of Creative Learning’s schools in East Brooklyn, an area facing significant economic challenges. The CEO, Alex Johnson, launched these arts-centric schools to better equip students for college and life beyond. He points out that kids from neighborhoods like East Brooklyn often experience culture shock when they reach college. By integrating arts education into their curriculum, students develop creativity, a skill highly sought after in today’s job market.

The Challenge of High-Stakes Testing

In an environment where high-stakes testing dominates, arts programs often receive less funding and attention. However, the new Common Core standards recognize the arts, mentioning them around 75 times, according to the Atlantic. “Students are encouraged to analyze various forms of art and even create their own,” it notes.

Creative Learning’s Approach

While many schools are cutting back on arts funding, Creative Learning is making it a priority. Alex Johnson envisions schools that look and feel like galleries, with walls adorned with high-quality art replicas. Their curriculum seamlessly blends arts and literature across subjects; for instance, fifth-graders perform a rendition of “The Tempest” while exploring themes of slavery and family struggles. They even delve into Pieter Bruegel’s “Landscape With The Fall of Icarus” to grasp the myth of Icarus and Daedalus. Instead of traditional test prep passages, seventh-graders read works from Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau.

Overcoming Challenges

Johnson aims to show that a strong arts education can thrive in public schools, although Creative Learning allocates more budget to facilities than many public schools can afford. They do face challenges such as larger class sizes to balance the budget.

The Future of Education

Redesigning schools to feel less like prisons—where bars on windows are commonplace—would surely make parents happy and create a more inviting learning environment. As parents and teachers increasingly call for a reduction in standardized testing, it’s possible more schools will embrace literature over test prep. For more insights on similar topics, check out this blog post.

Conclusion

In summary, reimagining schools as artistic spaces rather than prison-like environments could greatly enhance student learning and creativity. By prioritizing arts education, schools can better prepare students for both college and life.