Calhoun Academy of the Arts is helping all students prepare for their future. We are developing students who will positively contribute to the community by utilizing effective and meaningful teaching strategies and arts integration.
Students and staff were excited to begin the school year with the theme, “Where Stars are Made.” The focus of this theme was to showcase the many opportunities Calhoun students have to explore and develop talents through the arts and the curriculum. Through these opportunities students begin to grow their talents and become more confident learners. The theme aligned with our school motto, “Create, Achieve, Inspire. ”Additionally, Calhoun’s daily morning announcements, led by the principal, focused on words of encouragement to promote students’ interests, honesty, respect, integrity, and other valuable positive character traits.
Calhoun is a certified Arts in the Basic Curriculum School and was awarded the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) grant for $12,500. Calhoun also applied and was awarded a $5,000 Learning Loss Grant from ABC. Grant funds were used to support our arts integration curriculum, experiences within the arts, and an artist in residence dance program. Calhoun is also in a partnership with artsNOW, a grant-funded organization that supports teachers’ work to integrate the arts into the school curriculum.
This school year, Calhoun students gave five public performances of “Annie Kids” for our community. Every Calhoun student had the opportunity to perform on stage during the performance, showcasing talents in theater, dance, music, and leadership. Collectively, over 3,000 people attended the “Annie Kids” performances. Calhoun students in Grades 2 - 5 have the opportunity to participate in strings. String’s students gave two public performances during the school year.
Students at Calhoun experience the importance of giving to the community. Led by Grade 2 students, students and families donated pet food and blankets for Anderson’s community animal shelter PAWS. Grade 2 delivered the donations to PAWS and each student read a book to a pet waiting for adoption. Students also participated in fundraising for the local United Way and YMCA. The Calhoun Chorus gave many community performances throughout the year. Three special performances included singing for the Veteran’s Day program at AnMed, singing at Lights of Hope during the holiday season, and singing at the Anderson downtown Soiree in the spring.
Creating opportunities for families to engage is very important at Calhoun. Calhoun hosted a Literacy Night to get families excited about reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Calhoun’s One Book, One School event to promote reading. Calhoun hosted a family STEAM night supported by iMAGINE on the MOVE, a program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science at Clemson University providing hands-on STEM experiences for students and families. Students and families were also invited to participate in “Arts Integration Night” at which families participated in activities that integrated learning of the curriculum and the arts. Our school PTO hosted various family events, including a Sweetheart Dance for girls and a special family member and a Spring Fling.
Calhoun teachers work hard to improve student academic achievement. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) are used to assess students three times a year. MAP assessment data helps teachers provide the support students need to grow academically. In addition, Calhoun progress monitors three times a year with mClass (DIBELS) and uses Amplify/Boost to support reading instruction based on these results. Student learning is closely monitored by teachers. Interventions to support academic growth are provided for students needing this support. Students had numerous opportunities to showcase their learning and growth for families through a variety of events such as the Grade 3 Wax Museum, and the Grade 2 research and writing project. After-school clubs provided students with additional opportunities to expand their learning and interests. Throughout the school year each student was given new books to take home, along with activities to try-out during the reading of the books. At the end of the school year every student was given a packet of summer learning activities including new books to read over the summer.
Calhoun provides students with meaningful and connected learning experiences to make students’ learning relevant. At Calhoun, we believe connecting content knowledge and skills with the arts helps students make connections and grow academically.
