ARTS

The arts program at Rivers offers students opportunities to experience a broad range of foundation courses and then to pursue one or more areas in depth. Rivers provides Middle School students with unique opportunities and experiences in visual and performing arts. The Middle School arts program follows a pre-foundation curriculum with courses required at each grade level.

Visual Arts

The visual arts program at Rivers cultivates a lifelong involvement in the arts. The department teaches creative problem solving, fosters cooperation, and encourages risk taking, as students apply what they have learned to the creation of works of art. The process-oriented middle school curriculum exposes students to a variety of two- and three-dimensional media through assignments that are often integrated into each grade’s Humanities curriculum.

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Department offers a challenging, encouraging, and creative artistic environment for performance-based assessment and process-oriented learning. All Middle School students are required to participate in one of six music ensembles, dance, or theater arts. Students are placed in an appropriate music ensemble after completing a brief audition with the performing arts faculty in the spring. Middle School students also have the opportunity to receive instruction on a variety of instruments at The Rivers School Conservatory. All students learn public speaking skills as part of their Humanities curricula, and eighth-grade students are required to write and deliver a formal eighth-grade speech to the Middle School community. In addition, students are required to take a drama class during sixth grade.