Greenwood strongly believes that students need to develop their hidden talents and deserve every opportunity to do so. At previous schools many Greenwood students have never had a chance to develop their creative abilities; they were pulled out of fine arts classes in order to receive more individualized academic instruction. For this reason, Greenwood has developed a strong fine arts program that encompasses art, music, and drama. Each fine arts class is taught by professionals in their respective fields, who also enjoy working with young people
Art
While many schools question the role that the arts have in education, Greenwood has seen how:
- It encourages creative problem solving and self-expression.
- It fosters patience and confidence in handling unfamiliar materials and assignments.
- It helps students improve their visual-spatial skills.
Although the object of art classes is to develop imagination and skill, the therapeutic benefits, such as the enhancement of fine motor skills, cannot be ignored. Many of our students have been found to possess superior talent in this discipline.
A typical Greenwood student’s class week includes two art classes. Drawing, sculpture, pottery, watercolor painting, and pen-and-ink techniques are taught. In addition, a popular student-drawn calendar is distributed to all on our mailing list each year. Crafts are also offered as extracurricular activities and as part of the Village Program.
Music
Music is a valued and required course at Greenwood. We provide regular instruction in music appreciation and drumming, with private instruction for students who are studying an instrument. Our more advanced students perform as a rock band. It is our belief that developing a sense of rhythm, meter, and pitch is important for all students and may have significant benefits for those whose learning is hampered by auditory or kinesthetic difficulties.
