Discovering The Artist Within

“There is an energy in the art room that you can't get anywhere else.  I get to see kids grow from the "I can't draw" stage to creating a piece of art that they are truly proud of and can say "this is my best work". And Placer Academy? I would not do this job anywhere else!” (Placer Academy Charter (PAC) Art Teacher Krista Hilmen) 

As U.S. public school budgets get squeezed, many districts have chosen to cut or altogether eliminate visual art classes from their curriculum. In fact, less than half of current public school students receive any arts education at all. 
This is tough news for all students, as art education is more than just paint on paper or playing with clay. Recent studies show that art is an essential learning block for children. Art challenges students to develop different points of view, empathize with others, and reflect on the world around them. 
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Embedded in Our Curriculum
At Placer Academy Charter (PAC), we understand and value the role that art education plays in our students' lives. Each grade, from TK-6th, receives 50 minutes of art classes every week from a full-time, designated art teacher. Art curriculum is based on Core Knowledge units that are taught at each grade level, pulling in lessons from social studies, language arts, and science to enrich student learning. 

Something for Everyone
Art education is also about simply having fun! PAC students enjoy working with a wide variety of mediums during the course of a year, including clay, watercolor, tempera, oil pastels, and fibers.  Artists in all grades create a clay project, a three-dimensional sculpture, and numerous pieces with tempera, watercolor, chalk, and oil pastels. Our older students get to work with colored pencils and dive into the benefits of fine technique. 

Exhibits and More
Every spring PAC hosts an art show and invites families and the community to view student art projects. Student work is displayed in our school hallways and common spaces throughout the year, including special exhibits that beautify our outdoor spaces! Our art teacher uploads all student art to Artsonia so parents can see their child’s artwork as it is completed. PAC also maintains an Instagram account that showcases images and stories about student work. 

Thanks to Family Support
The PAC art program was started six years ago by parents who were passionate about bringing art into our classrooms. Since that time, it’s grown to include all grades and now is fully supported through funds raised by our PTO. It’s a valued and visible part of our school – and we are grateful to our community for their support!
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A commitment to the arts is just one of the many unique ways Placer Academy is serving TK-6 with tuition-free charter education. Find out more and join us today!

About Placer Academy
Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.