Calibrating creativity and competition: The rise of fine arts in MD private schools

High school is a time of growth and self-discovery for students, and choosing the right school can be a pivotal decision. While academics and athletics often dominate the decision-making process, what role do fine arts programs play in attracting students to Maryland’s private high schools?

With many schools providing unique arts programs, families increasingly consider these offerings as part of the overall educational experience. But how do fine arts programs measure up against other key drivers, and how strongly are they emphasized across schools?

What’s available in fine arts curricula

A school’s commitment to the arts can be seen through the breadth of its course offerings. The Park School of Baltimore stands out with 47 arts courses and a required two years of study.

“As 9th and 10th Graders, Park students spend as much time in their arts class as they do in any other of their core academic subjects, and many elect to take more arts courses in their 11th and 12th years,” noted Deborah Hull, the school’s director of arts. She says many students choose Park specifically for its strong emphasis on the arts, with some even preferring it over dedicated arts magnet schools.

Jemicy School also impresses with 39 arts courses despite its small size and focus on educating students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. Though students are only required to take one art credit to graduate, many exceed this requirement, exploring courses from woodworking to musical theater performance.

RELATED: MD private schools ramp up safety provisions amid rise of violence

However, not all schools boast such extensive curricula. Landon School, for example, requires two credits in the arts but offers only 15 courses, nine of which are yearlong options aligned with extracurricular groups like theater and music performance. Though its curriculum is smaller in scope, Landon has recently invested in improving its arts facilities, signaling a possible expansion in the arts.

In contrast, DeMatha Catholic High School and Calvert Hall College High School are best known for their award-winning music programs. Both schools focus heavily on vocal and instrumental arts, though their visual arts offerings are limited.

Unique arts opportunities

Some schools go beyond traditional arts programs, offering unique courses that further enrich their students’ creative experiences. Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and Notre Dame Preparatory School both offer courses in 3D design and digital fabrication, blending technology with artistic expression. With a flair of creativity and school spirit, Jemicy’s industrial design course series even prepares students to compete in the American Visionary Art Museum’s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Fashion design is another standout offering, available at schools like Jemicy, McDonogh School and Notre Dame Prep, which also offers architecture and interior design courses. These specialized programs provide students with opportunities to explore fields not often found in high school curricula, making these schools particularly appealing to students with niche interests.

A few schools offer scholarships to support students who excel in the arts. Dr. Carl Patton, principal of The John Carroll School, noted the school’s Fine Arts Diploma with Distinction (FADD) “celebrates the accomplishments of students who make a commitment to pursuing Fine Arts throughout their high school experience.” At DeMatha, visual arts, drama and music scholarships are granted to five incoming freshmen (per year and category) who show exceptional talent, demonstrating the school’s dedication to fostering talent in the fine arts.

Arts facility investments both big and small

Recent investments to facilities across several Maryland schools show a clear commitment to arts programming. For instance, Stone Ridge opened its Mater Center in 2021, featuring several gallery spaces, 2D and 3D art studios, a 1,400-seat theater, and multiple music rehearsal rooms. This state-of-the-art facility signals the school’s deep investment in its fine arts program.

Similarly, Notre Dame Prep further expanded its arts footprint in 2020 with the opening of its Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing for STEAM education, which houses visual art studios, a fabrication lab and 3D printing room, a digital media lab, and two art galleries.

Schools with fewer arts offerings are also making substantial investments. Earlier this year, Landon School completed a $3 million renovation, establishing a center for fine arts that includes classrooms for painting, sculpture, digital arts and woodworking, among other disciplines. DeMatha’s Cross Center for Engineering, Arts and Robotics, set to open in 2025, will provide a new digital media lab, ceramics room and additional space for engineering and design thinking courses.

Measuring up fine arts and athletics programs

In the context of Maryland’s private high schools, athletics often play a prominent role in student life. Schools like McDonogh and St. Paul’s offer extensive athletic programs, with McDonogh fielding 57 teams and St. Paul’s offering 49 teams. These schools also boast expansive athletic facilities, with many recently undergoing major renovations. Yet, McDonogh and St. Paul’s still seem to place a near-equal emphasis on the arts, with McDonogh offering 27 arts courses and St. Paul’s offering 33—figures that are at or above average compared to other high schools of similar sizes. This suggests both schools promote a balanced focus on athletics and fine arts programming.

Interestingly, some schools require year-round participation in athletics throughout every year of high school, as seen at Landon School and Gilman School. These schools also tend to have a greater number of larger and more specialized athletic facilities. However, their arts offerings are fewer in number, indicating a stronger emphasis on athletics over the arts in these institutions.

While athletics may still hold the spotlight at many schools, substantial investments in fine arts continue to grow. Emerging technologies like 3D design, virtual reality, and robotics are increasingly driving student interest in creative disciplines. As schools embrace these innovations, fine arts programming is becoming increasingly more vital to the student experience. Programs with expansive course offerings and cutting-edge facilities are no longer secondary. They are now central to the decision-making process for many prospective students and parents.

From schools like The Park School and Jemicy that maximize the emphasis of arts within their curricula to others like Notre Dame Prep and DeMatha that offer scholarships and cutting-edge facilities, Maryland’s private high schools offer a wide range of opportunities to explore and refine their talents. As these schools continue to invest in both arts and athletics, families will find more balanced and comprehensive educational experiences, allowing students to grow not just academically and athletically, but creatively as well.