Middle School
Art Program / Contests
Middle school students take an art elective one hour a day for four and a half weeks. These classes try to reflect students changing interests, attitudes, and capabilities. The electives that students choose from include Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Mixed media, Sculpture and Ceramics. These lessons start with a profile and history of an artist and their work, reinforced by a demonstration of an applicable technique. The students then experience this lesson with their own creation of art project from the subject area studied. Examples of art from all over the world are shown on slide with a presentation of background material; discussions include description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of the art.
Student artwork is displayed on six bulletin boards in the art room, as well as matted and framed work that hang in the cafetorium. The courtyard is filled with art whenever events such as concerts occur. Artwork is also displayed at the Maitland Center for the arts and students create art for various school functions throughout the year. Students are encouraged to participate in regional art competitions, the Diocesan Art Fair, and other competitions. Opportunities for additional art instruction are presented in the form of after school small group classes and summer art camp.
Band
ACA offers three band groups: Beginning Band, Advanced Band, and Stage Band. Beginning Band is open to students in 4th grade and above, and offers instruction in brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Advanced Band is a concert band open to students who have had at least one year of band experience, or the equivalent in private instruction. Stage Band is a rock/jazz ensemble open to singers, guitar & bass players, pianists, drummers, and brass and woodwind players by audition only.
Drama
Each year Middle School students put on a theater production alternating between musicals and dramas. Our students many talents are highlighted through the use of our modern theatrical stage which includes state of the art lighting and sound equipment. Each middle school student is encouraged to audition and/or participate in the production through such responsibilities by being actors or stage managers, running lights and sound or helping backstage with costumes and make-up. Participation in drama allows students to gain greater confidence while making new friends and special memories. Since drama is part of the fine arts elective program, most rehearsals take place during the school day allowing students to meet most other outside commitments and responsibilities.
