Arts
Visual and performing arts are an essential part of The Shaker Experience.
Beginning in elementary school, students are exposed to art forms in a variety of mediums, with weekly visual arts and music classes integrated into their day. Students at Onaway, Mercer and (coming soon) Lomond can participate in little theater programs in the fourth grade.
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 receive general music education while students in Grades 4 and 5 are introduced to a variety of instruments through the District’s Music for All program. Students in Grades 6-8 may pursue studies in band, orchestra or choir, while High School students are encouraged to further explore performing or visual arts with world class music, theatre and art courses to select from. These experiences even offer our students the opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally.
Musical Melodies
Shaker Heights Schools offers musical paths for every performer including orchestra, band and choir.
With its commitment to the arts, Shaker Heights Schools is consistently honored with a Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. The District is one of only 686 school districts across the nation to receive the designation.
The NAMM Foundation's BCME Award recognizes and celebrates school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.
Taking the Stage
Students at the elementary, Middle School and High School level have the opportunity to participate in stage productions through individual school club offerings or course curriculum.
Recent productions have included “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” as a part of Onaway Elementary School’s Onaway Little Theater, “Pirates of Penzance, Jr.” at Shaker Heights Middle School and “Mean Girls” produced by the Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Department.
Shaker Heights High School also features Theatre Arts courses, including Theatre Arts, Acting Ensemble, Dramatic Literature & Writing Stagecraft and more.
Artistic Expression
The Shaker Heights Schools philosophy of art education is that all individuals, regardless of background and abilities, are entitled to develop their artistic potential to the fullest extent of their capacity.
Students begin developing their artistic interests in elementary school and continue with the opportunity to explore High School coursework such as photography, ceramics, fashion design, portraiture and more.
Shaker’s student artists are regularly honored in the Scholastic National Awards and in the Ohio Governor Youth Art Exhibition for their works.
