Dance charter school finds its rhythm

Gabriella Charter School says it might be the only dance-themed public elementary school in the nation. We don't know if that's true, but it sounds like fun. Students get one hour of dance instruction daily -- ballet, jazz, tap, creative movement and world dance.

 

But dance is not just dance at Gabriella:

Twice a week, in "reading In motion" classes, kindergartners and first-graders twist their bodies into letters while singing corresponding sounds.

In a school where most of the students are English learners, vocabulary is introduced regularly and systematically −− parts of the body, directions, places in the room. And students improve graphing skills by plotting points to choreograph a dance.

Last night, the school held its recital -- the photos above -- and on June 19, the school will celebrate its first culminating fifth-grade class. Twenty-five students will participate.

“Some educators view arts education as a luxury. But arts education is a vital component of any child’s education," says Liza Bercovici, the executive director of the foundation that runs the charter school. "For whatever the reason, schools with strong arts programs also appear to be schools with strong academic programs -- the arts make you a better student, as we are showing daily at Gabriella.”

-- Mary MacVean

-- Photos by Caryl Lightfoot

Comments

[Daria E. Nunez]

This dance project in elementary schools is the dream that I am working for. I have created a non-profit org. Education for the Arts to accomplish this. It is one of the most precious gifts we can offer to a child's education.