ST. MARY’S ACADEMY ARTS PROGRAMS SUPPORT ITS AWARD-WINNING ACADEMICS
“During the past quarter century, literally thousands of school-based programs have demonstrated beyond question that the arts can not only bring coherence to our fragmented academic world, but through the arts, students’ performance in other academic disciplines can be enhanced as well,” Ernest L. Boyer, former president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
The graduating class of St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) has certainly benefited from the school’s award-winning academic programs, its central downtown location, the numerous social service programs it offers, and the wonderful spiritual atmosphere encapsulated at the all-female prep school, but the school’s notable arts programs have considerably enhanced their learning, as well.
Since its founding in 1859, St. Mary’s has held the arts dear to its curriculum, knowing that a strong foundation in the arts builds self esteem, develops the mind, and works in concert with other academic development. The school’s curriculum has always included a focus on the theatre, musical growth, and visual art expression. In 1860, the Sisters of the Holy Names brought the first piano to the state of Oregon, and art has continued to flourish throughout the past 148 years.
As Elliot W. Eisner, Professor of Education and Art, Stanford University maintains, “To neglect the contribution of the arts in education, either through inadequate time, resources, or poorly trained teachers is to deny children access to one of the most stunning aspects of their culture and one of the most potent means for developing their minds.”
Examples of St. Mary’s commitment to the artistic community include:
SMA students earning half of the art awards at the Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2008
SMA Marian Singers making their first appearance at the 2008 OSAA State Choir Championships
A pre-production drama camp for young children who attended Seussical the Musical
SMA students placing in the top 1% in the nation in the writing portion of The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards – for the fourth year in a row
SMA sisters publishing a haiku book about their experiences in Tibet
SMA film class holding its third city-wide premiere at the Bagdad Theatre
Over one quarter of the student body participating in the four annual drama productions
SMA Music Teacher Kathy Briggs being named a “phenomenal” talent for the curriculum she wrote for her SMA students during her first year at the school
Mimi Gardner Gates, esteemed Director of the Seattle Art Museum, speaking at SMA’s signature Food for Thought luncheon which raised $375,000 for St. Mary’s tuition assistance program
SMA students showing their art at First Thursday events throughout Portland
“One hundred forty eight years after the founding of our school, creative expression is alive and well at St. Mary’s,” says Principal Pat Barr. “I congratulate our gifted students and top notch teachers for continuing this excellence and commitment to an important part of human development.”
If the Sisters of the Holy Names and the leadership of SMA have anything to do with it, this commitment to an excellent, well-rounded education will continue for many years to come.
