Music
Music is an integral part of Calvary Schools’ curriculum and programming. Singing together is a foundational aspect of who we are as a school, and we sing daily during morning worship times, free time, and weekly chapel services.
As a part of our Charlotte Mason pedagogy, Junior Kindergarten through 8th Grade students enjoy a dedicated music class called Composer Study, where they are introduced to the great music of many classical composers throughout the ages. High school students also incorporate elements of classical music into their humanities seminar.
Students begin additional dedicated training in music and instrumentation in Junior Kindergarten and continue through their high school years. High school students take choir and also enjoy multiple musical training opportunities during some Winterim electives. Students take part in at least three music performances every year at our Christmas Concert, Spring Celebration of Learning Concert, and Grandparents Day.
Our Coram Deo choir is comprised of two sections: grades JK-3rd and 4th-5th. Our Cantate Deo choir is comprised of 6th-12th grades.
Performing Arts
Drama is incorporated into many elements of our curriculum and programming. Students begin reading aloud expressively as part of reading instruction. This carries into literature courses as students get older.
Students are introduced to Shakespeare as a condensed Read Aloud program in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Middle school students perform Shakespeare plays as part of their Literature curriculum.
High school students also read or perform selections from well-known plays, such as Our Town, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Twelve Angry Men, and they recite Scripture and poetry selections as part of our Grandparents Day, Christmas Concert, and Spring Celebration of Learning Concert. Students also learn the basics of movement and expression through our visual and performing arts courses.
Visual Arts
Art is incorporated into Calvary Schools’ curriculum throughout each day as part of our regular programming. Charlotte Mason spoke of the need to establish a mental library of beautiful images. Thus, art is incorporated into many aspects of our school, including Picture Study, Nature Study, Handwork, and even Geography.
Students are introduced to the works of various great artists through Picture Study in Junior Kindergarten through 8th Grade. They begin mixing their own color matches in Kindergarten. Elementary and middle school students enjoy creative art classes in their visual and performing arts courses. High school students are introduced to art elements in their humanities seminar, as well as through dedicated art electives.