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  • Inspired Learning

    Creativity is one of the most important human qualities and it must be nurtured if a student is to become adaptable during change.

    At Northwest Academy’s core is the belief that creative learning is essential to education and personal growth. Inspired learning at Northwest Academy means that the foundation for each classroom experience is energized by a lively partnership between academics and the arts. The result? Students emerge as self-directed, expressive, and curious lifelong learners. 

    Northwest Academy’s arts coursework nurtures creative thinking, craftsmanship, self-awareness, and responsibility.

Our Arts Program

Northwest Academy’s Arts Program provides an environment where a student’s multiple intelligences can thrive. The Arts Program teaches students skills and methods — such as critical thinking, attention to detail, craftsmanship, self-awareness, and responsibility — that help them succeed in both their academic and arts classes. The program also gives students a broad appreciation of the arts that will enrich their entire lives. For some students, this background becomes the basis for their profession or for their primary area of study in college.

High school arts electives provide both introductory and advanced arts instruction in a variety of fields. Students learn by working with professional artists and performers who are passionate about their fields and committed to helping students find their individual artistic voices. Although the arts classes are not talent driven, each subject area is taught with the same rigor and high expectations as in the academic disciplines. Because students learn best by practicing, there are many opportunities, including field trips, for hands-on teaching, learning, participating, and performing. Under the theory that repetition leads to mastery, students can repeat classes and continue their artistic development and engagement.


Typical course offerings in visual, performing, media, and literary arts include:

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  • Painting

  • Drawing

  • Printmaking

  • Black & White (Darkroom) Photography

  • Digital Photography

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  • Dance & Tap Dance

    (comprising contemporary ballet, modern, and jazz)
  • Tai Chi

  • Instrumental Band

  • Guitar

  • Sound Design/Recording Arts

  • Vocal Music

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  • Improvisational Theatre

  • Musical Theatre

  • Tech Theatre

  • Scriptwriting and Actors’ Workshop

  • Film Studies

  • Digital Art

  • Animation

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  • iJournalism

  • Yearbook

  • Pigeon Press

    (Northwest Academy’s literary magazine)
  • Creative Writing

Explore Our Programs