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To grasp the depth of RPCS's commitment to providing
its students with a top-notch education in the visual
and performing arts, one need only look at the School's
arts facilities.
From the Sinex Theater–with its state-of-the-art sound and
lighting capabilities, seating for 425 and orchestra
pit, to the choral practice room, ceramics studio, painting
and printmaking facilities and dance studio–the
fabulous new arts center at RPCS speaks to the School's
belief that the arts are a vital component in a well-balanced
curriculum.
Recent national educational studies have confirmed
what RPCS has believed all along–that students
who study the visual and performing arts in school continue
to outperform their peers who do not study the arts.
In fact, high school students who studied studio art
for more than four years score between 35-45 points
higher on average on the verbal and math SATs! Additionally,
the study of the arts encourages creative thinking and
problem-solving skills and offers students new forms
of expression. These are skills that can then be applied
to every discipline in the RPCS curriculum.
There are many ways in which RPCS celebrates
the creative energies of its students and encourages
them to pursue their artistic visions with enthusiasm.
At the Lower School level, girls spend a significant
portion of each day in music, dance, and art education
programs. Drama classes are added to the mix at the
Middle School level and Lower and Middle School students
participate in annual performances and exhibitions that
highlight their artistic achievements. By the time girls
reach the Upper School, there are highly specialized
classes in both visual and performing arts to choose
from and numerous opportunities for students to display
their creative energy before audiences–by taking
part in recitals, performances, dramas, musicals, exhibitions,
and more. All Upper School students are required to
take one studio art and one drama class.
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