OPEN DOOR ARTS SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Our School Programs partners teaching artists and classroom teachers to develop arts-integrated learning experiences that promote pride, access, connection and expression and support students’ academic, social/emotional and artistic growth, through drama, dance, visual arts, music, and media arts.
IMPACT
Our School Programs provide inclusive arts education to over 800 students, grades PreK-12 in 8 Boston Public Schools.
That means 3000 hours of learning, creating, engaging, and collaborating in our classrooms!

73% of students
demonstrated academic growth in language arts, science, social studies or mathematics

85% of students
demonstrated artistic growth in visual arts, music, drama, or multimedia arts


72% of students
demonstrated social and emotional growth including communication, self-expression, and team-building skills.
77% of teachers
reported growth in their confidence to incorporate and integrate the arts into their own instruction

HOW IT WORKS
Our School Programs partner with schools to provide inclusive arts instruction to students of all ages, all levels of experience, and all learning styles. We pairs highly skilled teaching artists with classroom teachers to develop art-integrated learning experiences that support students’ academic, social/emotional and artistic growth, and promote pride, access, expression and connection through a variety of art forms.

OUR schools
Boston Green Academy (Brighton)
Visual Arts
9th - 12th grade
Charlestown High School (Charlestown)
Music
9th - 12th grade
Comm. Academy of Science and Health (Dorchester)
Visual Arts
9th - 12th grade
Fenway High School (Boston)
Drama
9th-12th grade
New Mission High (Hyde Park)
Music
9th -12th grade
Higginson Elementary (Mattapan)
Music and Dance
PreK - 2nd grade
West Zone ELC (Jamaica Plain)
Drama
PreK - 1st Grade
Brighton High School (Jamaica Plain)
Drama
PreK - 1st Grade
OUR TEACHING ARTISTS

Stephanie Charlton
Drama

Alexander Conley
Music

Esia Hernandez-Edmunson
Drama

Halle Katz
Dance

Silvina Mizrahi
Visual Arts

Dunja Pechstein
Music

Jodi Schmidt
Visual Arts
WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Teacher at Adams Elementary
“My students transferred the skills learned in COOL Schools and applied them to other opportunities for making new artwork. Students are more comfortable in their artistic ability.”
Teacher at Ellison Parks Early Education School
“I can't tell you how many times I heard encouraging words from peer to peer!
Special Education Teacher at Elm Street Elementary
“Having COOL Schools has given me a variety of tools and methods in which I can use literacy and arts to teach a lesson. The program taught me that art is one way in which many students can comfortably express what they have learned about a given topic.”
want us to work with your school?
Let's work together! We're here to answer your questions and customize the experience to meet your school's unique needs and desires.
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