Northwoods Fine Arts Academy is an A+ Oklahoma School.
A+ Schools adhere to a set of commitments that include daily arts instruction, experiential learning and enriched assessment. The schools collaborate around curriculum, mapping the instruction so that interdisciplinary concepts emerge that encourage cross-curricular integration, and the use of multiple intelligences to structure learning opportunities for students. Ongoing research documents changes in the climate of A+ schools that foster an engaging learning environment. The infrastructure in A+ schools supports common planning time, shared vision, and faculty commitment to the goal of schools that work for everyone.
Leading the way, preparing Oklahoma youth with skills for the 21st century workplace, this system develops schools that encourage creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. The research results are clear.
Systematic and creative use of the A+ Essentials leads to higher achievement, joyful, engaged students, teachers, and community, and more creative, focused instruction.
In A+ Schools curriculum is addressed through the use of:
mapping that reflects alignment
thematic webbing
development of essential questions
creation and use of interdisciplinary thematic units
cross-curricular integration
In A+ Schools multiple learning pathways are:
used within planning & assessment understood by students and parents
studied, and new research is explored by teachers
creating balanced learning opportunities
In A+ Schools collaboration:
is intentional
occurs within & outside of school
occurs during planning time: classroom teachers with arts teachers
occurs with teachers, students, families, the community, & local businesses
includes broad-based leadership
In A+ Schools climate improves because:
teachers can manage the arts in their classrooms
stress is reduced
teachers are treated as professionals
morale improves
excitement about the program grows
A+ whole school reform is invigorating
In A+ Schools the arts are:
taught daily
inclusive of drama, dance, music, visual art and writing
integrated
valued as essential to learning
included in planning
practiced
a part of personal experience
In A+ Schools experiential learning:
is grounded in arts-based instruction
is a creative process
acknowledges entry points
includes differentiated instruction
provides multi-faceted assessment opportunities
In A+ Schools enriched assessment:
is on-going
is designed for learning
is used as documentation
is a reflective practice
helps meet school system requirements
is used to self -assess by teachers and students
In A+ Schools infrastructure supports the philosophy by:
addressing logistics, such as schedules that support planning time
providing appropriate space for the arts
continually developing faculty commitment
creating a shared vision
providing related professional development
continual team building