Alston's new arts program thrives

Immersion pilot program a success with middle school students

Tyrone Walker
The Post and Courier

Alston Middle School student Dawn Hudson practices a routine during dance class.

SUMMERVILLE — Deion White never knew he had rhythm, but taking dance for a year at Alston Middle School has made the eighth-grader more confident of his smooth moves.

He's one of only two male students in his class, and said some of his friends were shocked when he signed up for the dance course. But Deion said he hasn't felt out of place, especially since he's become adept at lifting and twirling girls in the air. "That part isn't too bad," he said.

Deion and 850 other students at Alston have been immersed in the arts this year as part of a pilot program to see whether adding yearlong arts courses to a traditional middle school could boost test scores, excite students aboutschool and reduce discipline problems. Many students at Alston aren't experienced artists, dancers or musicians. The hope is that they will develop their talents after constant exposure to the same field.

Dorchester District 2 received a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education in August 2006 to evaluate the effect of teaching the arts as a core subject area. District officials said Alston's success has pushed them to brainstorm ways to bring more arts courses to other schools.

"I wish I could make every school that way," district Superintendent Joe Pye said.

Larry Barnfield, the district's director of fine arts, has led an initiative to add dance as an elective in every middle school. Windsor Hill Elementary, which already exposes children to vocal performance, art, instruments, drama and dance, has infused the arts into the academic curriculum so well that Pye is considering opening slots for students outside the school's attendance zone.

All students zoned to attend Windsor Hill would stay, but Pye said he envisions opening an additional 100 slots for children eager to explore the arts. If the plan is approved, Windsor Hill would become Dorchester District 2's first elementary school of choice.

"Our overcrowded school situation has prohibited us from offering as much choice as I would like," Pye said. "Windsor Hill is ready. They want to be known as the Rollings of our elementary schools."

Rollings Middle School of the Arts is the district's wildly popular — and award-winning — magnet school. The school has only 600 spots, and children must audition to earn a space. Rollings' success has fueled an intense arts interest among Summerville parents, who want their youngsters playing symphonies, sculpting and reciting Shakespeare early enough to be ready for the audition.

Pye said he hopes improving the arts curriculum at other district middle schools will lessen the blow for children who aren't accepted at Rollings. And those students who have never shown an interest in the arts will benefit, also, Barnfield said.

The arts program at Alston isn't meant to compete with Rollings, he said, but aims to introduce students to an in-depth arts experience. Taking one class for an entire year differs from a rotating elective model practiced in most traditional schools. "That shotgun approach doesn't do the students justice," Barnfield said.

Alston students last year indicated their preference among 10 different arts courses, ranging from theater to classical guitar to piano. This year, the difference is apparent in the school's physical setup, as well as in its atmosphere.

Alston's health room has been transformed into a black box theater with an elevated stage, and a grand piano was bought for the media center. Two full-time arts teachers and one part-time instructor have joined the faculty. Drama students are learning scenes from "A Raisin in the Sun," dance students have choreographed moves to songs from "Grease" and visual art students are designing sculptures for an upcoming festival.

Achievement data has not yet been analyzed to determine the impact on the school's test scores, but Alston Principal Sam Clark said he's noticed a change.

"The arts have become part of the fabric of our school," he said. "It feels like we've always done it this way."

Reach Mindy Hagen at 937-5433 or mhagen@postandcourier.com.