Arts Rich Programming

Visual Arts

At MSC, all students participate in studio art classes. In addition, art activities are integrated into the daily study of the academic disciplines. Children in all grades learn about the many genres of art and the formal aspects of art including color, line and composition through the use of art materials in many media. The creative process is designed to reproduce that of a real working artist, from ideas suggested in a sketchbook, through execution, to review by their peers and display for the public. 

At MSC, we believe that art is both a process and a product: children learn to approach a problem creatively and expressively while they also create works of art. Studio work is primary and central, a way to think critically and problem solve in the various media. The studio experience follows one pattern at all developmental levels. Students are introduced to materials, techniques and concepts, and then have the opportunity to explore or practice, and finally use their knowledge to solve a particular problem or complete a specific project. 

We encourage students to develop a vocabulary to talk about art and visual expression and to feel comfortable expressing their aesthetic responses to their own and others' work. We encourage the children to explore the relationship between art and other disciplines, and we link their art experience to the curriculum in each classroom, including language arts, math and especially social studies. MSC has a full-time art teacher and a dedicated art room.

Music

In music, our focus has been on providing a foundation of music literacy through utilizing folk repertoire. In the process, student will be given an opportunity to express themselves in music by way of singing, movement, playing instruments, improvising and composition. Students who actively participate in music will be given an opportunity to perform, play games and create. Within the 2024-2025 calendar school year, students will play ukuleles & Orff instruments. MSC has a full-time music teacher and dedicated music room.

Theater

Charlie Brown, Grease, Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast Jr., Legally Blonde Jr., Once on this on Island Jr., Grease, Seussical, ANNIE, Music Man!!! Each spring semester, middle school students have the opportunity to produce a Broadway musical under the direction of MSC’s theater teacher. It is a proud culmination of our arts curricula across K-8 in drama, dance, and visual arts. In MSC tradition, the experience is hands-on; from audition to design, to acting, song and dance, costumes, and tech. Students realize full production values and the thrill of bringing a show to life in front of an audience of peers, family, and the MSC community.

Physical Education

Physical education prepares children to be physically and mentally active, fit and healthy for life.  It supports motor skills development, teaches self discipline, influences moral development, reduces stress, strengthens peer relationships, improves self-confidence and self-esteem, and facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness. Although we are a co-located building, MSC has exclusive use of our basement gym.

Field Trips

Because we believe in educating the whole child, and we believe the arts play an instrumental role in a child’s development, we strive for our students to engage in the arts through immersive experiences. In collaboration with the Friends of MSC Parent Teacher Association, our students attend at least three field trips related to the arts. These opportunities may include:

  • New York City Ballet

  • Carnegie Hall

  • Symphony Space

  • The Metropolitan Opera

  • Manhattan School of Music

  • New Victory Theater

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art

  • Cooper Hewitt

  • Whitney Museum