Why Pine Forest School of the Arts?
At Pine Forest, we believe school should be a place where every child is known, challenged, and inspired to grow, not just academically but as a whole person.
Pine Forest School of the Arts is the only dedicated elementary magnet school for the Visual and Performing Arts in Duval County and a nationally recognized certified magnet school. Nationally certified magnet schools provide high-quality, innovative educational options to families and students that promote choice, diversity and academic excellence. This means that our school has met the Magnet School Standards of Excellence and continues to uphold the five founding pillars of magnet schools:
diversity;
innovative curriculum and professional development;
academic excellence;
high quality instructional systems;
and family and community partnerships.
What does this look like every day at Pine Forest?
All students enrolled at Pine Forest (grades Kindergarten-5th grade) receive a minimum of 45 minutes a day of arts instruction in one or more of our five arts areas: Dance, Music, Strings, Theatre, or Visual Arts. We have a rotating schedule that allows our students to receive the most arts education possible.
In Kindergarten-3rd grade, students participate in an Arts Enrichment Class where the arts teachers visit the academic classrooms to co-teach lessons that incorporate one or more arts areas with an academic area! These lessons are developed collaboratively by the arts department and are thoroughly enjoyed by the students!
In grades 4 and 5, students have the opportunity to "audition" for an Advanced Arts area at the beginning of the school year. Once students' Advanced Arts Areas are determined based on their auditions, they receive an additional day of class with their Advanced Arts teacher throughout our 7-day Arts Rotation Cycle. Having the opportunity to receive an additional day of instruction in their Advanced Arts area means that our 4th and 5th Grade students receive 110 minutes of instruction in their specific area each week, helping them continue to study and grow in their arts area.
On the other days in our arts rotation, 4th and 5th graders receive instruction in each of the other remaining arts areas, allowing them to excel in more than one area.