Fine Arts, K-12

Music and visual arts instruction is provided for all elementary school students on a regular basis. Certified art and music specialists direct the programs in elementary schools. Many schools also have Choruses, Recorder Ensembles, Orff Ensembles, Percussion Ensembles, and Art Clubs that provide an outlet for talented and motivated students. Theater Arts, Dance, and Band & Orchestra are offered at some elementary schools across the district. Courses include:

• Dance
• Media Arts 
• Music
• Theatre Arts
• Visual Arts

Art, general music, music technology, dance, guitar, and drama programs are “connections” classes offered to middle school students. Additionally, band, chorus, and orchestra classes are performance ensembles offered to middle school students. Certified teachers direct all Fine Arts programs, and students are instructed based on the adopted AKS for these programs. Courses include:

• Band
• Chorus
• Dance 
• General Music 
• Guitar 
• Orchestra 
• Media Arts 
• Music Technology 
• Piano
• Theatre Arts
• Visual Arts

Dance, instrumental and choral music, music technology, theatre arts, and visual arts are elective Fine Arts courses at the high school level. Offerings are provided at all schools based on the needs and interests of the students with appropriate AKS instruction for each course. High School students also have the opportunity to complete a Fine Arts Pathway leading to a Fine Arts Diploma Seal. Courses are offered at Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Mastery Levels: 

• Band 
• Chorus 
• Dance 
• Guitar 
• Media Arts 
• Music Technology 
• Orchestra 
• Piano 
• Theatre Arts 
• Visual Arts

School of the Arts @ Central Gwinnett High School offers a unique “arts-centric” learning experience for Gwinnett County high school students with a passion for the arts. Centrally located in Lawrenceville, SOTA is designed for students who want to take their art to the next level, working with industry professionals and partnering with arts organizations. This “school within a school” provides opportunities that students will not find anywhere else.

Learn More About SOTA

Our vision is to provide all students with a comprehensive, diverse, and world-class fine arts education. Our mission is to provide exemplary arts instruction by industry-leading fine arts professionals. 

Students enrolled in the Fine Arts programs of Gwinnett County Public Schools receive quality instruction in dance, music, theatre arts, and visual arts. The Fine Arts will be an essential and integral part of the instructional program and will be accessible to all students K-12. All students will be expected to demonstrate competence in the production, analysis, and evaluation of at least one art form and have an understanding of the contribution of all art forms to world cultures. Our Fine Arts curriculum is based on a community-endorsed, quality, and comprehensive Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum which incorporates current technology. The AKS represents the GCPS standards of excellence for all fine arts students.

Our Certified and Highly Qualified Fine Arts Teachers engage in continuous improvement of their content knowledge and serve as industry leaders. Gwinnett County Public Schools' Fine Arts students participate in numerous local, statewide, regional, national, and international festivals and competitions, and are known for their high quality performances. The continued enthusiasm and support of administrators at all levels, community members, parents, and students enable the Gwinnett County Public Schools Fine Arts programs to achieve world-class standards and to remain an essential element in a complete educational program. It is the desire that each and every Gwinnett County Public Schools student develop their artistic and creative potential to the fullest.

The AKS for Fine Arts instruction uniquely embraces a performance- and standards-based curriculum that is sequential and developmentally appropriate for all learners. All areas and grade levels have revised AKS documents correlated with the system-adopted core textbooks and resources, and the state curriculum. Working within the AKS framework, each school designs its programs to meet the unique needs of its students.

A variety of classroom and teacher assessments are used to determine what students know and can do based on the AKS for that level. Teacher assessment for the Fine Arts classes includes fast formative checks, observation, paper-and-pencil tests, portfolios, and authentic assessments including periodic performance tasks. End-of-semester exams at the high school level assess each student’s progress in all skill areas. Student success is further promoted through statewide auditions, evaluations, and exhibitions.