Kindergarten through 5th grade students will use their imagination and creative-thinking skills to generate ideas and express themselves through their artwork. Students will be given the opportunity to explore a variety of mediums and art techniques to strengthen their artistic skills while learning about other cultures and making real life connections. Students will brainstorm, visualize, and sketch on their own and with a group to develop their ideas from start to finish, and understand that art is a process.

In middle school, students will make a greater effort in creating meaningful works of art that capture their own thoughts and ideas, while discovering their own style of art and gaining an appreciation for art history. We realize that the process is just as important as the end product, so an emphasis is placed on planning and production, allowing students to examine and self-assess their own art progress. Throughout the year, students will practice giving and receiving constructive feedback, while they discuss their own work and that of their peers.

High school students are given the opportunity to explore and focus on specific disciplines and mediums, while using self-discipline, creative-thinking, and critical-thinking skills to improve their art technique. Our current high school offerings are Photography and Painting.

Students will explore and refine their ability to create music in various mediums, techniques, and forms. They will be introduced to basic music theory ideas and aural perspective, and intentionally use one or more elements of music to enhance their work. . Through the music class, students will develop life skills, such as following directions, self-monitoring, caring for materials, working with others, respecting others’ opinions, working through challenges, and building self-confidence.

This elective focuses on the students’ music growth and development in a choral, and instrumental, based setting. Students will be introduced to basic music theory, a variety of choral and instrumental literature, proper techniques, and performance opportunities. The goal is to challenge students in the pursuit of becoming well-rounded musicians, as well as developing aural and music theory skill sets. The students have 3 components that they are focusing on throughout this year: Vocal, Strings, and Wind. The vocal component is demonstrated through choir, strings in the form of the ukulele, and winds are demonstrated through learning the clarinet.

MIS high school students have the opportunity to join the after-school ensemble. The instrumentation of the group is determined by the students, and the rehearsals are guided by the music director. The ensemble has the opportunity to perform throughout the year, including at the Winter Arts Festival and during Week of the Arts.