The Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) has recognized five schools, including one in Jackson County, with its Creative School Arts Integration School of Excellence Award, honoring schools where arts integration is embedded across subjects and accessible to all students.
This year’s recipients are:
- Adairsville High School (Bartow County)
- Baggett Elementary School (Gwinnett County)
- Springdale Park Elementary School (Atlanta Public Schools)
- West Jackson Elementary School (Jackson County)
- Wynnton Arts Academy (Muscogee County)
These schools demonstrate strong rigor and relevance in arts-integrated instruction, sustained professional learning for teachers, effective program organization, and meaningful community involvement in the arts, a GDOE news release says. All K-12 public schools in Georgia were eligible to apply for the award.
THE WEST JACKSON STORY
At West Jackson Elementary School in Jackson County, arts integration is implemented schoolwide as a standards-based practice aligned with Georgia STEAM certification. All teachers embed visual art, music, drama, movement, and media arts across content areas, ensuring all students regularly participate in arts-integrated learning. Instruction is reinforced through fine arts classes, artist residencies, field experiences, and community-connected projects.