Introduction
Lake Ridge Academy students have a deep respect for the arts, which are
considered as important in the grand scheme of things as math, science,
and the social sciences. Our fine arts curriculum challenges students
artistically and intellectually, helps them become critical and creative
thinkers, and develops high standards of artistic excellence as well as
an appreciation of artistic integrity.
It starts in our Lower
School, where our youngest students do much more than draw, color, and
paint. They study digital photography and examine and emulate the works
of the great artists under the guidance of an instructor with a master’s
from Case Western Reserve University. And our Lower School music
instructor, one of the top Orff Schulwerk teachers in Northeast Ohio,
has a flair for drawing out musical creativity in even the shyest of
students.
Students in Middle and Upper School take visual arts
to even higher levels, study drama, direct and perform in plays, and
have opportunities to work with professional actors. They study music
and sing and dance, both individually and in groups, and take advantage
of artist-in-residence programs, semester-long drama residencies, and
intensive seminars. Of note, every Upper School student is required to
take three full years of fine art, which is higher than the state
standard.