Programs
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Gardner Pilot Academy Arts Opportunities
The arts are an essential element of GPA’s community school model and can be found within the traditional school day as well as during after school and into the summer months. GPA currently partners with 10 organizations to provide the partner programs described below.
*Note: Every grade level has access to $1,000 per year for field trips and many of these are connected to the arts. Harvard University provides these funds as a part of community benefits. Additionally, Harvard Ed Portal connects the GPA to the American Repertory Theatre (ART) for grades levels to attend performances and for the 3rd graders to receive an intensive partnership including two visits to the ART.
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GPA Friday Arts
What they do?
When students engage in supportive, collaborative arts learning they feel valued and appreciated as creative members of their community.How they do?
Implementation of Strategies:- 36, weekly, 1 hour, student-centered, sequential, standards-driven art instruction sessions, taught by 24 teaching artists.
- Delivery Format. Grades K1-8th grade: Two cycles of 18 consecutive wks/cycle
- Opportunity and encouragement to explore discipline(s) that most appeal(s) to students. (Choice Model for grades 5-8)
- Showcase of Learning: students share learning/ abilities by participating in 2 showcases per year presented before the entire school community and families.
Goals
Skilled, knowledgeable and resourceful students gain a more diverse pallet for expressing themselves both personally and academically. -
Boston String Academy (BSA)
Who are they?
BSA is a partner of the GPA and offers string lessons in violin and cello three times per week. This combination of group and semi-private lessons are offered during out of school time.What they do?
The mission of BSA is to provide a vibrant string program for inner-city young students, offering high quality string instrument instruction, using standards that will give them the necessary skills to build a strong foundation in their musical growth.
How they do?
Currently, 36 students are enrolled in this program. This program is fee based. However, the fee is on a sliding scale to remain affordable for families. Substantially reduced rates are possible due to a $5,000 grant from the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra to offer this programming at GPA. In addition to the school year, there is a two-week summer intensive session offered to students through BSA.Goals
Opportunity gaps close by offering high quality and intense string instruction that would otherwise require family funds outside of school.
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Boston Ballet: City Dance program
What they do?
The approach of this program cultivates an appreciation of movement, enhances cultural awareness, and fosters creativity and self-expression through two distinct phases.
How they do?
An average of fifteen 3rd graders participate in this program each year. Students are picked up to attend this program all within the school day to join Boston Ballet for dance workshops.
Goals
When students engage in supportive, collaborative arts learning they feel valued and appreciated as creative members of their community. -
Boston College (BC) School of Music
Who?
Through a partnership with music Professor, Barbara Gawlick at Boston College.What they do?
The purpose of this programming is to provide students access to instrument instruction in an introductory and supportive way.
How they do?
7 BC students come to provide semi-private (groups of two) piano and wind instrument lessons on a weekly basis to 30 after-school students in 2-5th grade. In addition, K-1, K-2 and 1st grade after-school students, 52 students currently, receive singing circle once weekly.
Goals
By working with college mentors to be exposed to new instruments, students' engagement and confidence deepens. -
Dance in GPA/YMCA Summer Academy
Who?
In partnership with Mass Movement and Young Audiences of Massachusetts
What they do?
Dance allows students to engage in needed movement while teaching discipline and teamwork.
How they do?
All Summer Academy students, or 170 students, participated in 2018 dance club.
Goals
Students internalize and deepen learning when using multiple senses and when they are engaged in multiple ways.
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Drug Enforcement Administration Dance (DEA Dance)
Who?
Through a partnership with the DEA 20 5th grade students participate in an after school dance class for 10 weeks during out of school time with a professional dancer.
What they do?
The goal of this program is to empower kids by providing a free and positive afterschool alternative to drugs through the fun, healthy, and expressive art form of dance.How they do?
Fifteen 5th grade students participate in this program once a week for 10 weeks during out of school time, which culminates in a showcase for their peers.
Goals
Students develop interpersonal skills by working together. -
Early Elementary Music Education
Who?
Vocal Arts for K-1, K-2, 1st and 2nd
What they do?
Through the experience of working together as a team, children increase their self- confidence, self-esteem, leadership, cooperation and communication skills, in the pursuit of a shared common goal.How they do?
153 students are served and participate in weekly vocal arts throughout the school year within their school day.Goals
Through the experience of working together as a team, children increase their self- confidence, self-esteem, leadership, cooperation and communication skills, in the pursuit of a shared common goal. -
Kithara Project
What they do?
Kithara Project is a collective of internationally acclaimed classical guitarists with the mission of enriching the lives of young people worldwide through the classical guitar.
How they do?
2nd grade students in after school (average of 20 per year) participate in this program at the Charlesriver Community Health Center on Western Avenue during after-school hours for 35 weeks of the school year.
Goals
Students are exposed to a new musical instrument and grow in confidence in other areas of their day.
