10 Years of Arts Programming at KIPP Ascend Primary - KIPP Chicago Public Schools

The Whole Child Review Issue No. 1, October 2019

Download PDF Version

10 Years of Arts Programming at KIPP Ascend Primary

KIPP Ascend Primary began an arts program during its founding year in 2010 with musical theater. With the addition of visual arts and dance in the following years, a collaborative program evolved. Every year, the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes each create a Project Growth performance in the spring, showcasing their learning in musical theater, dance, and visual arts.

Students from the founding class performing in Annie Jr.When students are in 3rd and 4th grades, they choose one arts elective class to take every day for one semester. With all three 3rd and 4th grade arts elective classes working together, the final performance features students from musical theater and dance, with the students in art class creating all of the costumes and set design. A number of beautiful performances have come from the program, such as: Annie Jr., Once on this Island, The Wiz, Shrek the Musical, Seussical the Musical, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

When students are in 3rd and 4th grades, they choose one arts elective class to take every day for one semester. With all three 3rd and 4th grade arts elective classes working together, the final performance features students from musical theater and dance, with the students in art class creating all of the costumes and set design. A number of beautiful performances have come from the program, such as: Annie Jr., Once on this Island, The Wiz, Shrek the Musical, Seussical the Musical, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

The first group of second graders to perform Annie Jr. are now freshmen in high school. The arts program continues today and has even incorporated the creation of music videos into the elective classes.

Other articles in this issue:

Browse by priority: