Orchestra, drama, photography, drawing, choir, ceramics, steel drum bands. The Richland School District is strongly committed to providing a comprehensive K-12 arts program for students. At a time when there is increased accountability and pressure for schools to raise reading, writing and math scores, it's important that we not lose sight of the arts....that we continue to fund arts education in an appropriate way.

The research is clear. In study after study, the conclusions are the same:

Students benefit from creative learning.
Students with high levels of arts participation outperform "arts-poor" students on virtually every academic measure.
Sustained involvement in music and theater are highly correlated with success in mathematics and reading.
A solid exposure to the arts helps level the playing field for children from disadvantaged circumstances.