Visual & Performing Arts

Palm Valley School fosters a growing and innovative Visual Arts Department beginning in the Lower School with weekly Art lessons starting in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Students explore a variety of art mediums and styles as instruction is aligned with curriculum standards learning about The Elements of Art (line, color, shape, value, pattern, texture, and space). Art history, art styles, and artists from around the world are highlighted as inspiration to spark the imagination of student creativity and wonder.

4th and 5th grade students take a more focused Graphic Design art class which introduces taking initial ideas from paper to a digital format. Students are guided through a variety of graphic design projects focused on the Principles of Design. Students use digital tools to build skills in file format, typography, and combining imagery with text for a target audience in mind.
Our seasonal after school Art Discovery class gives students an opportunity to further their skill earned in Art and extend their time for creativity with more arts and crafts.

Ultimately, each Lower School grade compiles a collection of their artwork to create a portfolio of projects that highlight growth and learning during their school year. This instills a pride and practice in Palm Valley students to support portfolio habits and growth for years to come.

Our Theatre Arts program begins in the Lower School with each 4th and 5th grader receiving an opportunity to have a performing arts class once a week for 45 minutes with our theatre arts teacher. Their program is based on a syllabus which introduces all aspects of the theatre arts and is presented via all forms of learning (videos, interaction, performance within the class, engaged discussion, and so much more). An after school theatre arts class may also be offered at this level as well as a summer program. For the middle and upper school grades, electives in Theatre-Performance and Theatre-Tech and Design are offered year round through hour-long classes. Within the Performance class, the syllabus includes the audition process, rehearsal process, character development, and all aspects of putting together a full-scale show, resulting in at least 3 productions per year (Fall: Shakespeare Festival; Spring: Musical and Art Show-Cabaret). Everyone in this class performs in the productions. The Tech and Design class focuses on supporting the fall and spring productions by researching, learning about, and implementing each student's chosen focus during the productions themselves. Everyone in this class is involved with the productions. For both classes, the only after school commitments required are the performance dates as well as Tech Rehearsals and also possibly a few extra rehearsals for the soloists (if needed) as everything else is done within class time.