Public high schools often have to make tough choices about how to fit everything into the day. Between math, science, reading, and tests, there isn’t always a lot of room left. That’s why some schools worry about adding more art classes. They’re afraid something important might get pushed aside.
But adding creative time doesn’t mean losing learning. In fact, it can help students focus better and care more. When students get to draw, write stories, or build projects, they stay more involved, and that helps with all their subjects. At Arts Academy in the Woods, a free public middle and high school in Fraser, Michigan, students practice an art of their own choosing, and dance, music, visual arts, or drama are part of every student’s schedule alongside math, science, English, and languages. Done the right way, bringing the arts into school can support strong academics instead of taking away from them.
Building Arts into the School Day Without Losing Core Learning
One concern we hear a lot is that there just isn’t enough room in the school day for art. But there are ways to fit it in without cutting back on subjects like reading, science, or math.
- Some schools use rotating schedules so classes like theater or painting happen at different times throughout the week without taking away from core subjects
- Elective periods can give kids the chance to choose the kind of creative work they’re most interested in
- Creative projects can even be part of academic work, like writing a poem in English class or drawing a family tree in social studies
When students use art to deepen their understanding of what they’re already learning, the time isn’t being taken away from academics. It’s just a different way of learning the same subjects, and often in a way that sticks better.
How Arts Help Students Focus and Stay Curious
It’s not always easy for students to sit still all day, especially when the weather outside keeps everyone stuck inside. In Michigan winters, classrooms can start to feel tight, and energy levels drop. That’s where the arts can really support learning.
When students have time for art during the day, whether it’s painting, singing, or working on clay, it taps into something different in their brains. Movement, color, music, they all help students feel more awake and less anxious.
Using hands and eyes at the same time builds focus. Students who are struggling with attention in other subjects often find it easier to stay present during creative work. And when something sparks their curiosity, like a sculpture they want to build or a story they want to tell, it helps increase their interest across the board.
Curious students ask better questions. They start to care more deeply about the “why” behind a historical event or the “how” of a science experiment.
Teachers Working Together to Mix Art with Learning
One of the best ways to bring the arts into public high schools is by having teachers work together. When academic and arts teachers team up, students benefit all the way around. At Arts Academy in the Woods, our arts-integrated academic curriculum is aligned with the Michigan Merit Curriculum, so projects in art and core subjects are planned around the same learning goals.
We’ve seen real impact come from things like:
- An art teacher and a history teacher working together on a creative project about civil rights
- A writing teacher helping students build short stories that take place in ancient times, then talking with the social studies class about what they created
- Science and sculpture combining into a 3D project about ecosystems or planets
In these situations, the two subjects don’t compete. They connect. That makes the learning stronger and easier to remember. When students hear similar ideas in multiple classes, especially when those ideas come with hands-on work, they hold onto them better.
Adjusting for Winter Energy and Indoor Time
Winter in Michigan can be long and cold, and during those months, it’s hard for students to let loose outside. Recess is often cut short, and the hallways can feel a little extra crowded.
So how do we keep students moving, thinking, and staying bright during indoor months? Simple. Give them space to create.
Art-focused projects are a good way to channel some of that stuck energy. Students can:
- Spend extra time on group art or theater assignments
- Use class time to build or draw things related to what they’re learning
- Share creative ideas out loud with classmates, building confidence and social connection
This sort of learning works especially well when the snow is falling and the sun sets early. Even small moments of creative work go a long way.
Helping Every Student Feel Seen Through Expression
Not every student raises their hand in class. Some feel shy, while others just need more time to process their ideas. Art gives those kids a different way to speak up. Whether it’s sketching in a notebook, writing a short story, or playing a few chords on a keyboard, students get to show who they are in their own way.
That matters. When students feel understood, they’re more likely to show up and try harder in everything, from science to English to group work.
We respect that not every learner is the same. Some talk things out. Others build or draw or write. Art gives all those students a chance to participate. It makes school feel like a place where different ways of thinking are welcome.
Ready to see how academic growth and creativity can thrive side by side? At Arts Academy in the Woods, we believe that strong academics don’t have to come at the expense of creative expression. Learn how public high schools can give students more ways to stay engaged, focused, and inspired all year long. Let your child’s imagination be part of what powers their education.