"School sucks, except for art!"
March 12, 2009 1:49 PM Subscribe
My son (13 y.o., 8th grade) is exhibiting innate talent in the visual arts. Last night, he bemoaned to me that he wished his school curriculum was weighted more heavily on the art side. This got me thinking about looking into magnet-type high-schools and other schools that feature strong arts education. Any suggestions on where I should start looking and issues to consider? Any thoughts about the necessity of a "portfolio" and what that entails? Did you or someone close to you attend a school like this; if so, what were your experiences? (I am art-clueless, so the more detail, the better. We live in the Boston/Cambridge MA area.)
• As far as feedback from teachers at his current Junior High goes, his art teacher is usually the only one to praise him outright, and she has glowing words for him. He's "ADD" and has trouble focusing in his other classes due to lack of interest, mostly.
• Sporadically, he "teaches" himself how to draw by copying whatever from books, off the internet, etc. (Same with teaching himself piano -- we're looking into piano lessons now.) So he's self-motivated when the interest strikes him. He can go for weeks at home not drawing anything, and then go for a few days spending a couple of hours at a pop on a drawing.
• A sample (a self-portrait in pencil) is here (but I'm not asking for a critique; though I see him through the lens of a parent, I think he's onto something).
• We are on the lower-end of middle-class, renting an apartment, so money is tight. Any thoughts on Financial Aid?
Thanks, Hiveminders!
• As far as feedback from teachers at his current Junior High goes, his art teacher is usually the only one to praise him outright, and she has glowing words for him. He's "ADD" and has trouble focusing in his other classes due to lack of interest, mostly.
• Sporadically, he "teaches" himself how to draw by copying whatever from books, off the internet, etc. (Same with teaching himself piano -- we're looking into piano lessons now.) So he's self-motivated when the interest strikes him. He can go for weeks at home not drawing anything, and then go for a few days spending a couple of hours at a pop on a drawing.
• A sample (a self-portrait in pencil) is here (but I'm not asking for a critique; though I see him through the lens of a parent, I think he's onto something).
• We are on the lower-end of middle-class, renting an apartment, so money is tight. Any thoughts on Financial Aid?
Thanks, Hiveminders!
Well, I wish I knew more what magnet schools were available in your area, but I don't, so my comments will be general.
I went to an arts magnet school-within-a-school in New Jersey. This was a regular high school which had an arts program that could accept students from other districts. At the time there were probably 60 students in the program (it was new) studying creative writing, dance, theatre, and media arts. They later added visual arts and music. We spent half the day in traditional high school classes with everyone else, meeting the range of graduation requirements that are not specifically arty (math, languages, sciences, phys ed, etc). The other half the day we spent in the arts classes, which usually were tasked with meeting all the English/language arts requirements. So being in the arts school was awesome, but did not get me a pass to not be in regular high school.
I entered the program in creative writing as a sophomore. There was a portfolio process, but I just used essays from my regular classes. there was an application. I think there was also an interview. One of the important criteria, I remember, was being able to demonstrate seriousness and initiative. You had to really care about being able to do the work, not just be looking for an alternative to traditional class. They were very concerned that the program be academically strong and not just an avenue of escape for students who were not into school.
It probably saved my academic life, since I was a bit disaffected and a definite underachiever in most of the standard high school classes before entering this program. This gave me something to focus on, be noticed for, and be proud of. And I enjoyed the teachers and my classmates a lot. We are actually having a 25th anniversary celebration of the program's beginning next May, and many alums will be crossing the country to attend.
The advantages of the program were, in my mind:
-teacher interest in students felt more personal. There was a focus on our work and abilities, less so on discipline and order.
-arts classes were smaller and less formal.
-students were happy to be able to do the things that most interested them. this meant they were serious about their (art)work and enjoyed being around others like that.
-artwork was not treated as a distraction from real work, but as real work
-we had minimum grade standards. If we didn't make them, we'd be dropped from the arts program. That provided incentive to do math and stuff.
-the social environment was much better
-we were exposed to opportunities that a regular classroom teacher would probably not have time to manage. as a result of the arts focus I had work published in regional literary magazines and anthologies, was a finalist in a couple national contests, participated in state teen arts programs each year, and attended 2 summers in a selective arts program. I have no doubt that I would never even have heard of these opportunities if I were in a traditional English classroom.
From the sound of your son, it seems like he might do well in such a program, mainly because it would activate his interest and provide satisfying experiences. However, I think the most important part is that it be something he wants to do, not necesarily a parent-driven solution.
Have you started conversing about it? Even just saying "you know, there are different kinds of high schools out there, would you like to look into that? might get the thought planted. Then, once you know what options are available in your region, I'd highly recommend going to observe in such a school. Make sure you see some downtime and also see some classes.
I think the basic thing I would want to see is sophistication - not just open-ended 'exploration' of arts or movement or writing, but a curriculum of skill development that moved through the subject in a purposeful way.
Good luck, I think it sounds like a potentially nice option for your son. That "ADD" thing, where he is actually just bored, is one of the major signals that he needs a challenge based on his interests. Most of the kids in my program fit that description, and I know it's not uncommon.
posted by Miko at 2:04 PM on March 12, 2009
I went to an arts magnet school-within-a-school in New Jersey. This was a regular high school which had an arts program that could accept students from other districts. At the time there were probably 60 students in the program (it was new) studying creative writing, dance, theatre, and media arts. They later added visual arts and music. We spent half the day in traditional high school classes with everyone else, meeting the range of graduation requirements that are not specifically arty (math, languages, sciences, phys ed, etc). The other half the day we spent in the arts classes, which usually were tasked with meeting all the English/language arts requirements. So being in the arts school was awesome, but did not get me a pass to not be in regular high school.
I entered the program in creative writing as a sophomore. There was a portfolio process, but I just used essays from my regular classes. there was an application. I think there was also an interview. One of the important criteria, I remember, was being able to demonstrate seriousness and initiative. You had to really care about being able to do the work, not just be looking for an alternative to traditional class. They were very concerned that the program be academically strong and not just an avenue of escape for students who were not into school.
It probably saved my academic life, since I was a bit disaffected and a definite underachiever in most of the standard high school classes before entering this program. This gave me something to focus on, be noticed for, and be proud of. And I enjoyed the teachers and my classmates a lot. We are actually having a 25th anniversary celebration of the program's beginning next May, and many alums will be crossing the country to attend.
The advantages of the program were, in my mind:
-teacher interest in students felt more personal. There was a focus on our work and abilities, less so on discipline and order.
-arts classes were smaller and less formal.
-students were happy to be able to do the things that most interested them. this meant they were serious about their (art)work and enjoyed being around others like that.
-artwork was not treated as a distraction from real work, but as real work
-we had minimum grade standards. If we didn't make them, we'd be dropped from the arts program. That provided incentive to do math and stuff.
-the social environment was much better
-we were exposed to opportunities that a regular classroom teacher would probably not have time to manage. as a result of the arts focus I had work published in regional literary magazines and anthologies, was a finalist in a couple national contests, participated in state teen arts programs each year, and attended 2 summers in a selective arts program. I have no doubt that I would never even have heard of these opportunities if I were in a traditional English classroom.
From the sound of your son, it seems like he might do well in such a program, mainly because it would activate his interest and provide satisfying experiences. However, I think the most important part is that it be something he wants to do, not necesarily a parent-driven solution.
Have you started conversing about it? Even just saying "you know, there are different kinds of high schools out there, would you like to look into that? might get the thought planted. Then, once you know what options are available in your region, I'd highly recommend going to observe in such a school. Make sure you see some downtime and also see some classes.
I think the basic thing I would want to see is sophistication - not just open-ended 'exploration' of arts or movement or writing, but a curriculum of skill development that moved through the subject in a purposeful way.
Good luck, I think it sounds like a potentially nice option for your son. That "ADD" thing, where he is actually just bored, is one of the major signals that he needs a challenge based on his interests. Most of the kids in my program fit that description, and I know it's not uncommon.
posted by Miko at 2:04 PM on March 12, 2009
My daughter goes to the local High School Arts Academy, though her major is communications, not drawing. However, your situation is much like I was as a teenager.
He can go for weeks at home not drawing anything, and then go for a few days spending a couple of hours at a pop on a drawing.
Having an arts focused education can kill the love for some kids, so try some evening art classes or summer art camp first.
A sample (a self-portrait in pencil) is here
Looking at that single drawing, I can see a potential to hate art if he gets stuck with a program or teachers that demand he draw in more realistic style with countless still lifes. He seems to have wonderful character and life to his drawings and the potential for that to be leached from him, considering his ADD, and the more rigorous prison like mentality of American High Schools is high.
Not knowing anything about him and based solely on that one drawing, I'd recommend looking around at programs and specifically mentioning the concerns above directly to some of the teachers, after you've pulled them off into a corner to talk. If you get a whiff of "We have structure and it must be followed" pull him out and instead enroll him in some locals arts classes that place more emphasis on having fun and exploring materials.
We are on the lower-end of middle-class, renting an apartment, so money is tight.
Nurture a supportive drawing environment, with plenty of materials with little pressure to actually "perform". By perform, I mean asking him to draw or paint this or that because he can. I had a lot of relatives demanding that I draw something because "Oh you're so talented, you can just whip this in a two seconds to make me happy, so you're going to do, right?" Of course if he enjoys doing that, fine, but keep an eye out for that sort of pressure on him. The goal is to keep art enjoyable instead of being something he's asked or expected to do, just because.
Also, make sure he has access to comic books and animee, a library card and a way, if possible, to get there himself.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:11 PM on March 12, 2009
He can go for weeks at home not drawing anything, and then go for a few days spending a couple of hours at a pop on a drawing.
Having an arts focused education can kill the love for some kids, so try some evening art classes or summer art camp first.
A sample (a self-portrait in pencil) is here
Looking at that single drawing, I can see a potential to hate art if he gets stuck with a program or teachers that demand he draw in more realistic style with countless still lifes. He seems to have wonderful character and life to his drawings and the potential for that to be leached from him, considering his ADD, and the more rigorous prison like mentality of American High Schools is high.
Not knowing anything about him and based solely on that one drawing, I'd recommend looking around at programs and specifically mentioning the concerns above directly to some of the teachers, after you've pulled them off into a corner to talk. If you get a whiff of "We have structure and it must be followed" pull him out and instead enroll him in some locals arts classes that place more emphasis on having fun and exploring materials.
We are on the lower-end of middle-class, renting an apartment, so money is tight.
Nurture a supportive drawing environment, with plenty of materials with little pressure to actually "perform". By perform, I mean asking him to draw or paint this or that because he can. I had a lot of relatives demanding that I draw something because "Oh you're so talented, you can just whip this in a two seconds to make me happy, so you're going to do, right?" Of course if he enjoys doing that, fine, but keep an eye out for that sort of pressure on him. The goal is to keep art enjoyable instead of being something he's asked or expected to do, just because.
Also, make sure he has access to comic books and animee, a library card and a way, if possible, to get there himself.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:11 PM on March 12, 2009
Best answer: I can't speak about the high school system, magnet schools, or any of that.
When a 13 year old who shows an interest anything it is worth working on, especially when they don't engage easily in the run of the mill school stuff. As far as a portfolio goes, what they seem to look for over here (later on in applying to art college stage, but still good practice) is the ability to focus on a subject, and explore it using many different media. So a small investment in some decent paper, charcoal, pastels, acrylic paints, maybe a cheap camera. He should just draw/paint what he likes for now but encourage him to do that in different ways.
Also, the great thing is that it doesn't matter if you are art clueless. He'll be encouraged by your interest, and the more he gets out of it the less clueless you'll become.
posted by Elmore at 2:25 PM on March 12, 2009
When a 13 year old who shows an interest anything it is worth working on, especially when they don't engage easily in the run of the mill school stuff. As far as a portfolio goes, what they seem to look for over here (later on in applying to art college stage, but still good practice) is the ability to focus on a subject, and explore it using many different media. So a small investment in some decent paper, charcoal, pastels, acrylic paints, maybe a cheap camera. He should just draw/paint what he likes for now but encourage him to do that in different ways.
Also, the great thing is that it doesn't matter if you are art clueless. He'll be encouraged by your interest, and the more he gets out of it the less clueless you'll become.
posted by Elmore at 2:25 PM on March 12, 2009
I really like the looseness and energy in that drawing.
Based on my own experiences with (relatively mild) ADD and arts-focused high schools, I'm with Brandon in feeling cautious about a magnet school. That's not to say he wouldn't love being in that kind of environment, but if he's at all self-critical or insecure about his art, he may love it less as he compares himself with others and starts dealing with being expected to produce art on a constant basis.
I was in and out of a high school that offered a split between visual arts and standard high school courses. I learned some things there, and I did see a big improvement in my representational drawing skills over a single term. But I think I did more and better art, and learned a lot more in general, by switching to an alternative high school with a mixture of students -- some very academic, some very artsy, and some kids who were struggling with regular school and were probably not going to end up in university.
If you get any concrete leads for schools in your area, visit them with Milo and see how you both feel about them. Maybe it's visual art that will blossom for him, maybe it's music, but I think it's the whole gestalt of the school, not just the curriculum, that can make a difference. Good luck!
posted by maudlin at 2:33 PM on March 12, 2009
Based on my own experiences with (relatively mild) ADD and arts-focused high schools, I'm with Brandon in feeling cautious about a magnet school. That's not to say he wouldn't love being in that kind of environment, but if he's at all self-critical or insecure about his art, he may love it less as he compares himself with others and starts dealing with being expected to produce art on a constant basis.
I was in and out of a high school that offered a split between visual arts and standard high school courses. I learned some things there, and I did see a big improvement in my representational drawing skills over a single term. But I think I did more and better art, and learned a lot more in general, by switching to an alternative high school with a mixture of students -- some very academic, some very artsy, and some kids who were struggling with regular school and were probably not going to end up in university.
If you get any concrete leads for schools in your area, visit them with Milo and see how you both feel about them. Maybe it's visual art that will blossom for him, maybe it's music, but I think it's the whole gestalt of the school, not just the curriculum, that can make a difference. Good luck!
posted by maudlin at 2:33 PM on March 12, 2009
Best answer: The best school for him will be the one he's most interested in, and the one that's, well, most interested in him. If you can find a school with the latter, I think you will find one that will nurture not crush his creativity.
That being said, in this particular case I think the more money you have to spend will likely equal the better school, unfortunately. Art supplies aren't cheap; neither, usually, are good art teachers.
I think your best bet, and one that your son will love, will be to participate in something like what Dave Eggers talks about in his TED talk. I looked up stuff for Boston, and I found the Boston Art Jump Off. You might be able to contact that website, Once Upon a School, for a list of other nearby artsy programs. As far as I know most or all are free, too, and taught by people who would know and love the industry they're teaching about.
posted by metalheart at 2:48 PM on March 12, 2009
That being said, in this particular case I think the more money you have to spend will likely equal the better school, unfortunately. Art supplies aren't cheap; neither, usually, are good art teachers.
I think your best bet, and one that your son will love, will be to participate in something like what Dave Eggers talks about in his TED talk. I looked up stuff for Boston, and I found the Boston Art Jump Off. You might be able to contact that website, Once Upon a School, for a list of other nearby artsy programs. As far as I know most or all are free, too, and taught by people who would know and love the industry they're teaching about.
posted by metalheart at 2:48 PM on March 12, 2009
I went to one of those schools, and I have to say, in general, high school is boring and annoying, but the arts part of it was fun. He'll get more out of a school that he enjoys. I'd say give it a try - a happy person will live a fuller richer life than a bored one.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:57 PM on March 12, 2009
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:57 PM on March 12, 2009
CRLS (in Cambridge) really does have an excellent arts department - don't know if that's an option for you. One of my former students who is very similar to your description of your son (into art, not so into the rest of school, and distractable) just got accepted to 6 out of 6 arts schools for college. He currently attends CRLS.
The one drawback there is that they're planning to renovate the building, and if I'm not mistaken next years' freshmen will be going to school in a different location, and return to the main building in their sophomore year. Don't know if that's still the plan (I don't live there anymore, and the economic downturn may have changed plans).
Though I don't know it as well, I believe Brookline High School also has a good arts program.
As for the private schools, I don't know which ones have the strongest arts department, so that'd take a visit. Given that your son is in eighth grade, the timing is problematic - the deadline to apply to many of those schools has long since passed. Some schools are still accepting applications because their enrollment is down due to the economy - but schools in that situation are unlikely to be offering much financial aid.
None of the public schools will require a portfolio. I don't imagine many of the private schools would either, unless they happen to be arts-focused. But if you go the private school route, a portfolio (or even just a drawing or two) might be something to bring to an interview.
posted by Chanther at 2:59 PM on March 12, 2009
The one drawback there is that they're planning to renovate the building, and if I'm not mistaken next years' freshmen will be going to school in a different location, and return to the main building in their sophomore year. Don't know if that's still the plan (I don't live there anymore, and the economic downturn may have changed plans).
Though I don't know it as well, I believe Brookline High School also has a good arts program.
As for the private schools, I don't know which ones have the strongest arts department, so that'd take a visit. Given that your son is in eighth grade, the timing is problematic - the deadline to apply to many of those schools has long since passed. Some schools are still accepting applications because their enrollment is down due to the economy - but schools in that situation are unlikely to be offering much financial aid.
None of the public schools will require a portfolio. I don't imagine many of the private schools would either, unless they happen to be arts-focused. But if you go the private school route, a portfolio (or even just a drawing or two) might be something to bring to an interview.
posted by Chanther at 2:59 PM on March 12, 2009
Seconding Elmore. If I had a teen today who was interested in anything in particular (tennis, swimming, math, art, writing, a musical instrument, debating, anything) I would be so happy she was actually interested in something (versus sullen ennui) I would enthusiastically support it. But I would also let her follow her interests without my directing her. So please be careful about "sending him to an arts high school because it will be good for him." I like the idea of exploring the possibilities with him, and letting him make the final decision. And, in the meantime, making sure he has art materials he wants to explore on his own.
posted by exphysicist345 at 3:12 PM on March 12, 2009
posted by exphysicist345 at 3:12 PM on March 12, 2009
May I respectfully recommend that, while you're figuring this out, you get him into an extracurricular art class (if you can afford it) or ask an artisticly-minded friend to spend an hour a week with him?
At his age, everything feels urgent, and prompt encouragement that seems special and above-and-beyond will pay big dividends.
posted by davejay at 3:19 PM on March 12, 2009 [4 favorites]
At his age, everything feels urgent, and prompt encouragement that seems special and above-and-beyond will pay big dividends.
posted by davejay at 3:19 PM on March 12, 2009 [4 favorites]
Oh, and to what has been said above: starting an extracurricular class allows him to try it for a few months before you commit him to an arts school -- this takes the pressure off him a bit.
posted by davejay at 3:26 PM on March 12, 2009
posted by davejay at 3:26 PM on March 12, 2009
I went to a magnet arts high school (for theatre, not visual art, but I knew lots of VAs and the programs were structured similarly), and it was amazing experience. All of us that went were and are like family- I don't know how many people can say that about the people they went to high school with. The program I went to was pretty structured- at least 3 arts classes a day (by senior year some people had worked it out to have all arts classes; I think I got myself up to 5), juries every semester that determine whether you can stay in the program, a senior project to graduate, so you do have to be dedicated to your craft- there were people at the beginning who weren't 100% dedicated, and they either transferred to the area they really wanted to study, quit and chose to attend to their zoned school, or got kicked out of the program and were forced to attend their zoned school.
I think there was an academic downside for me, unfortunately- the school didn't have as many higher-level and AP classes as other schools I could have gone to, and the prevailing attitude of "We're all going to be artists and we don't need no stinkin' learning" probably made my application weaker come college application time than it could have been, so I'd encourage you to make sure that your son balances out his participation in the arts program with participation in classes that will look good on his college applications.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:53 PM on March 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
I think there was an academic downside for me, unfortunately- the school didn't have as many higher-level and AP classes as other schools I could have gone to, and the prevailing attitude of "We're all going to be artists and we don't need no stinkin' learning" probably made my application weaker come college application time than it could have been, so I'd encourage you to make sure that your son balances out his participation in the arts program with participation in classes that will look good on his college applications.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:53 PM on March 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
age 13 is just a tad bit young for this, but save some pennies for about two years from now when you can reward him with an art class at a local college. my parents (who were also lower middle class) saved for me to take language classes that my school didn't offer, but the community college did. it certainly helped me in many ways, with confidence, maturity, and knowing there was life beyond high school.
bless you for recognizing your son's talents and looking for meaningful ways for him to explore his interests!
posted by kuppajava at 5:25 PM on March 12, 2009
bless you for recognizing your son's talents and looking for meaningful ways for him to explore his interests!
posted by kuppajava at 5:25 PM on March 12, 2009
I can't help you with Boston Magnet school leads, but I would highly advise the experience for anyone with the opportunity and inclination. Having attended a magnet school for the arts myself (in Atlanta), I can vouch that the benefits were numerous and extended well beyond the resources allotted for art courses. The standard cliques were minimized, the economic/racial diversity of the school was amazingly balanced, and the student body was generally devoted and passionate.
Due to my experience at a magnet school, I can honestly say that high school was awesome for all of the right reasons. how rare!
however, my school happened to be very academically challenging as well. Just make sure that the artistic programming comes in addition to a well-resourced curriculum/faculty in other areas.
posted by shrimpsmalls at 6:39 PM on March 12, 2009
Due to my experience at a magnet school, I can honestly say that high school was awesome for all of the right reasons. how rare!
however, my school happened to be very academically challenging as well. Just make sure that the artistic programming comes in addition to a well-resourced curriculum/faculty in other areas.
posted by shrimpsmalls at 6:39 PM on March 12, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! Yeah, we've taken the tack of not pushing him into these types of things (arts, sports, etc), but trying to nudge him over the years via afterschool arts programs and the like. Now he's getting into the self-knowledge phase of his life, it's great that he's taking an interest in these things -- music, art, paintball! -- and I don't want to sour the milk at all. Talking with him, he loves the idea of an art-heavy school, so this is mostly him carrying the ball, and me and his mom looking around to see how we can facilitate his interests.
So YAY for his interests, and thanks for all your insights!
posted by not_on_display at 7:16 PM on March 12, 2009
So YAY for his interests, and thanks for all your insights!
posted by not_on_display at 7:16 PM on March 12, 2009
Best answer: Oh, I feel for you. I'm an art teacher (tho with kids younger than your son) and I have several students who struggle in other areas of school but find success in art. Anyway -- I am not aware of any magnet schools in Massachusetts. Boston of course has many pilot schools, but if you are in Boston you've probably already researched them since the first registration period is over. No matter what system you're in, even if there isn't a spiffy pilot or charter school, your high school will probably value the arts. Mass is very good about that. (The first time I went to the globe's scholastic art awards show I was blown away!)
There are a lot of after-school, weekend, and summer art programs in the area. Off the top of my head I can suggest the New Art Center in Newton and the Boston Center for Adult Education. The MFA and ICA have art classes/programming. Most of the area colleges have some form of summer art camp for teens. The De Cordova has a cool summer art program.
My general suggestions are lots of art books (there are always tons of them on the remaindered table at book stores -- and I got a humongous beast of a look-at-all-these-paintings! book at the Brookline Booksmith for $5), netflix some Sister Wendy dvds (she is awesome), take trips to the many area museums, and make sure he has materials to play with. Surprise him now and then with some Sculpey or scratchboard. Get some big pieces of homasote from the hardware store and make an entire wall a bulletin board for his artwork, for artwork that inspires him, for photos he likes. I think the most important thing though is to have a family that supports him and recognizes his abilities. Which he has.
posted by Marit at 7:40 PM on March 12, 2009
There are a lot of after-school, weekend, and summer art programs in the area. Off the top of my head I can suggest the New Art Center in Newton and the Boston Center for Adult Education. The MFA and ICA have art classes/programming. Most of the area colleges have some form of summer art camp for teens. The De Cordova has a cool summer art program.
My general suggestions are lots of art books (there are always tons of them on the remaindered table at book stores -- and I got a humongous beast of a look-at-all-these-paintings! book at the Brookline Booksmith for $5), netflix some Sister Wendy dvds (she is awesome), take trips to the many area museums, and make sure he has materials to play with. Surprise him now and then with some Sculpey or scratchboard. Get some big pieces of homasote from the hardware store and make an entire wall a bulletin board for his artwork, for artwork that inspires him, for photos he likes. I think the most important thing though is to have a family that supports him and recognizes his abilities. Which he has.
posted by Marit at 7:40 PM on March 12, 2009
I can't speak specifically to your area, but YES there is financial aid, and it's not always offered up front. Call the schools and ask yourself. And ask him to ask his art teacher about developing a portfolio.
posted by desuetude at 8:20 PM on March 12, 2009
posted by desuetude at 8:20 PM on March 12, 2009
Best answer: Okay, so if you hop on bus 84 (I believe) and ride it to the end of the line you'll find yourself in Belmont Center. It's a cute New England town with some of the best pizza (Gregg's) and the town highschool situated behind a picturesque pond has a pretty decent art department.
My sister went to school there and really enjoyed it, had a lot of friends and felt safe around town. Of course, this was the early 90s, but I think it's a great town. Seriously, you should at least go visit sometime.
posted by big open mouth at 8:29 PM on March 12, 2009
My sister went to school there and really enjoyed it, had a lot of friends and felt safe around town. Of course, this was the early 90s, but I think it's a great town. Seriously, you should at least go visit sometime.
posted by big open mouth at 8:29 PM on March 12, 2009
I grew up outside Boston and almost transferred to an artier school for high school, and regret not doing so.
There are tons of art classes at the JCC and at pottery places and even a bunch of adult continuing ed art classes (they will let him in if you advocate for him and say he's mature enough). There are also some good summer programs run through the public high schools for middle school students that aren't terribly expensive (I attended and then taught at the one at Newton South).
For schools, the two I would recommend are Cambridge School of Weston (Link to Financial Aid page) and Sudbury Valley (though this would only be a good option if he's self-motivated and disciplined, not if he needs structure). I had friends at each who had a much happier, artsier, and less stressed high school experience than I had at public school (even though my school did have good art class options).
posted by rmless at 8:48 AM on March 13, 2009
There are tons of art classes at the JCC and at pottery places and even a bunch of adult continuing ed art classes (they will let him in if you advocate for him and say he's mature enough). There are also some good summer programs run through the public high schools for middle school students that aren't terribly expensive (I attended and then taught at the one at Newton South).
For schools, the two I would recommend are Cambridge School of Weston (Link to Financial Aid page) and Sudbury Valley (though this would only be a good option if he's self-motivated and disciplined, not if he needs structure). I had friends at each who had a much happier, artsier, and less stressed high school experience than I had at public school (even though my school did have good art class options).
posted by rmless at 8:48 AM on March 13, 2009
Response by poster: big open mouth: ...you'll find yourself in Belmont Center. It's a cute New England town with some of the best pizza (Gregg's) and the town highschool situated behind a picturesque pond has a pretty decent art department.
Hey, no way, I live in Belmont! I did go to the parents' curriculum night a few weeks ago at the HS and was impressed by how solid the art department looked.
And, that there were two entries in the Boston Globe's Scholastic Art Awards link that Marit linked to makes me a bit more at ease with where we are right now. (Thanks for the other suggestions too, Marit.)
Thanks, metalheart, for the link towards Egger's 826 Valencia, which has a Boston chapter. (My son also has a good ear for words, and I think narrative and visual art have a lot in common [I ♥ comix], as do narrative and music, so I'll look into that sometime. Dunno how I feel about Eggers himself, but hey, I never read much by him in depth.)
And thanks to you all again; so to speak, your answers added much more color to the picture that I had already in my mind.
posted by not_on_display at 11:55 AM on March 13, 2009
Hey, no way, I live in Belmont! I did go to the parents' curriculum night a few weeks ago at the HS and was impressed by how solid the art department looked.
And, that there were two entries in the Boston Globe's Scholastic Art Awards link that Marit linked to makes me a bit more at ease with where we are right now. (Thanks for the other suggestions too, Marit.)
Thanks, metalheart, for the link towards Egger's 826 Valencia, which has a Boston chapter. (My son also has a good ear for words, and I think narrative and visual art have a lot in common [I ♥ comix], as do narrative and music, so I'll look into that sometime. Dunno how I feel about Eggers himself, but hey, I never read much by him in depth.)
And thanks to you all again; so to speak, your answers added much more color to the picture that I had already in my mind.
posted by not_on_display at 11:55 AM on March 13, 2009
Best answer: Better late than never...
SMFA (the School of the Museum of Fine Arts) offers affordable (as these things go) classes for high schoolers. I lived with quite a few SMFA students for a couple of years in college, so I feel pretty confident recommending the quality of instruction. Plus, SMFA kids are damn cool, so just by spending a couple of hours a week there, your son will probably turn into the hippest kid in high school.
posted by oinopaponton at 8:07 AM on September 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
SMFA (the School of the Museum of Fine Arts) offers affordable (as these things go) classes for high schoolers. I lived with quite a few SMFA students for a couple of years in college, so I feel pretty confident recommending the quality of instruction. Plus, SMFA kids are damn cool, so just by spending a couple of hours a week there, your son will probably turn into the hippest kid in high school.
posted by oinopaponton at 8:07 AM on September 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Actually, very good timing, thanks! We just found out today, on the second day of classes, that with our son's having a "resource center" built into his schedule (to help him with organizational issues), that he can't fit art in without dropping something else, like a foreign language, which our guidance contact discouraged.
I'll be considering this, and looking for other similar programs. (One of my best friends and his wife and his ex-wife are all SMFA instructors/admins, too... definitely on the hip spectrum.)
posted by not_on_display at 1:07 PM on September 3, 2009
I'll be considering this, and looking for other similar programs. (One of my best friends and his wife and his ex-wife are all SMFA instructors/admins, too... definitely on the hip spectrum.)
posted by not_on_display at 1:07 PM on September 3, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
You could look into the Cambridge School of Westin, a private school in the Boston area with an amazing art program. I don't know about the scholarship availability there.
posted by abirae at 2:02 PM on March 12, 2009