As we get our kids ready to go back to school, let’s remember how important it is for them to get back to art.

Here’s a great Cinderella story about how one principal used art to dramatically transform a failing school.

In 2010, with low test scores and a 50% yearly teacher turn-over rate, Orchard Garden School in Roxbury, Massachusetts was a violence ridden, “drop out factory”. New principal Andrew Bott took drastic measures, deciding to use the arts to transform his failing school. He redirected the funds earmarked for security to bring art programs to his students. Principal Bott felt “art involves the whole student” and therefore impacts their academics. Art, theater, dance and orchestra programs have students engaged and Orchard Garden has one of the fasted student improvement rates.

This video will give you a feel of how the arts have impacted the kids as well as the school itself.

http://www.upworthy.com/the-surprisingly-simple-staff-change-that-totally-turned-one-school-around-5

Bring the heart of your school back to life with Young Rembrandts drawing classes. Drawing with Young Rembrandts boosts academic achievement, builds confidence and reaches kids in a fun, exciting way…through art!
Contact your local program director today. http://www.youngrembrandts.com/artisheart

Bette Fetter Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts and Author of Being Visual [email protected] Follow Bette on Twitter