Enriching and Changing Lives Through the Arts
Roanoke City Public Schools provides a comprehensive arts education program that ensures equitable access to all students and reflects the diversity of the community. Please become a Partner for the Arts as we continue to expand and enhance our arts education program.
“Dance is a silent art form, universal language, expressing human motion to help raise the spirit of all who watch.”
–Pedro Szalay, Artistic Director, Southwest Virginia Ballet
Roanoke City Public Schools Dance and Theatre Arts Programs
- Comprehensive High School Dance and Theatre Programs
- Middle School Dance Programs
- Dance Espanol Elementary Program (five years)–Pedro Szalay, Southwest Virginia Ballet
Dance and Theatre Program Highlights
- Theatre performances such as “In the Heights,” “Sister Act,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Dorothy in Wonderland,” “The Trial of Amanda Lee Locks”
- Character acting in Downtown Roanoke for “Dickens of a Christmas” (William Fleming Theatre)
- Virginia Theatre Association Participation (Patrick Henry)
“Music has provided so many opportunities. Music is something I am passionate about, which motivates me to keep growing and learning.” –RCPS Music Student – AW
Roanoke City Public Schools Music Programs
- Comprehensive K-12 Music Program
- Elementary Band and Strings Program
- Band, Choir, and Orchestra Programs in all secondary schools
- Expanded offerings at the high school level including Guitar, Music Theory, Electronic Music, and Piano Lab
- High School Music Honors Classes (Weighted Credit)
- Collaborative partnership with VH1 Save the Music Foundation, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and the Jefferson Center.
Music Program Highlights
- All City Band, Choir, and Orchestra
- Magda Giannikoum Banda Magda, and Roanoke City Band and Orchestras
- Ninety students selected for Distract, Regional, or All-State Music Ensembles
- Nineteen superior and excellent ratings at Distract Music Assessment
- Best Communities for Music Education (2013-2017 NAMM Foundation)
- Yale Symposium on Music in Schools and Distinguished Music Education Award (2015)
- VH1 Save the Music Foundation Les Paul Class Legacy Project Winner (2016)
- Grammy Signature Schools Semifinalist (2015-Patrick Henry)
“I am now looking at a career in the arts thanks to the teachers that developed my technical skills.” –RCPS Visual Arts Student and Scholastic Regional Art Winner
Roanoke City Public Schools Visual Arts Programs
- Comprehensive K-12 Program
- All elementary students have a weekly arts experience
- Visual Arts programs in all middle schools
- Expanded offerings at the high school level including Art I-IV, Photography, Digital Photography, and Ceramics
- Gifted Visual Arts Program
- Collaborative partnership with the Taubman Museum of Art
Visual Arts Program Highlights
- Scholastic Art Regional Silver and Gold Key Awards
- Research in the Abstract Exhibit–Partnership with Virginia Tech Carilion, and the Governor’s School
- Recent Observations and Discoveries Exhibit–Partnership with Virginia Tech Carilion, Anne Trinkle, and Young Audiences
- Carilion “Food Is Art” Exhibit
- RCPS Art Show featuring over 100 pieces of artwork
- PTSA Reflections Visual Arts Contest with winners at all levels
- Firehouse Prevention and Recycling Poster Contest
“Involvement in arts education is associated with many positive, long-term academic, social, and workplace benefits. At-risk youth are more likely to set higher career goals and achieve higher test scores.” –National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Education
“The arts are a necessity, not a luxury, as we prepare our students for truly creative and collaborative careers. We at the Roanoke Symphony are proud of our nationally award-winning partnership with Roanoke City Schools.” –David Stewart Wiley, Music Director, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
“When young children are actively engaged in the arts, they are having fun, learning lots, building better brains, and contributing to the vibrancy of our communities. Art is not optional; it is fundamentally woven into the fabric of human life.” –Sharon L. Ramey, Ph.D. and Craig T. Ramey, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Scholars, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute (VTCRI)
“Music is important in schools because it allows us to see the beauty around us, reach our potential, and have a chance to shine.” –RCPS Music Student – HL