Good School for Music starting in Elementary (Dallas, Garland: home, school district)

[ashreashre]

Hi,

I currently live in Irving.

I am looking for some feedback on a school/school district that offers a great music/arts program starting as early as Elementary school.
Of course I am looking for a good academic school as well.

I also want a bit of diversity. We are a bit of a alternative/organic foods,
artsy kind of family.

Ya know, not very conservative BUT we have high morals/expectations.

I've been looking and looking but I just haven't found the right info yet.

thanks!

[FarNorthDallas]

Wow, that's a tough one because public schools don't spend a bunch of money on music in the early grades. Band doesn't start until 5th or 6th grade. Before that it's just the every 3 days or whatever rotating through music class where you learn to play the recorder and sing. Same with art. Neither music or art is on the TAKS test so there isn't a lot of motivation to spend time on it.

Hopefully, someone else has a suggestion. These are things that might been to be supplemented on your own - private music lessons and private art lessons.

[momof2dfw]

While it is true the majority of schools and districts do not offer an "artsy" school as early as elementary there is one in the area. The Garland ISD is home to the Classical Center at Vial. It is an elementary school that is a magnet for the arts and students must apply and be accepted. The program is continued on into middle school at Brandenburg Middle School. I know several kids that attend both of these schools and have not heard of any complaints. My own child has been in the G & T magnets in the GISD since kindergarten (something else most don't do that early). In the magnets they kids must pick choir or orchestra as early as 4th grade. Come middle school they have to choose between choir, orchetra or band. The school is strong academic yet with a focus on the arts.

Go to Garland Independent School District for more info. The application process in underway currently.

[stargazer]

Would private school be an option?

[ashreashre]

Wow. I will look into that. Thank you.

I know nothing about Garland. Time to start then!

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

While it is true the majority of schools and districts do not offer an "artsy" school as early as elementary there is one in the area. The Garland ISD is home to the Classical Center at Vial. It is an elementary school that is a magnet for the arts and students must apply and be accepted. The program is continued on into middle school at Brandenburg Middle School. I know several kids that attend both of these schools and have not heard of any complaints. My own child has been in the G & T magnets in the GISD since kindergarten (something else most don't do that early). In the magnets they kids must pick choir or orchestra as early as 4th grade. Come middle school they have to choose between choir, orchetra or band. The school is strong academic yet with a focus on the arts.

Go to Garland Independent School District for more info. The application process in underway currently.

[Lakewooder]

The music/art/drama department at Woodrow Wilson High is either the best or one of the best in North Texas, according the The Cappies (high school Tony awards). The best elementary feeding in for this would be Lakewood - where the students write and perform their own opera each year and the school choir has sung at The Meyerson with the Dallas Symphony.