The arts are an integral part of the Angel Oak Elementary School experience; students not only take part in extensive art-related classes that promote collaboration through whole-child learning, but they also experience arts-integrated instruction within their core classes. Arts-integrated instruction supports the teaching of standards in both the arts genres and core content areas to promote student engagement and boost student achievement. That commitment led to the school recently earning their certification with the state’s Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Institute. The Owls are one of three schools to earn this distinction this school year, one of just 69 in the state overall.

According to the South Carolina Arts Commission, research conducted within ABC Schools have repeatedly provided evidence to the value of arts education in a student’s life. Data collected in 2018 from Gallup Organization research confirmed that South Carolina students who had access to the arts in their curriculum were more hopeful and more engaged than students who didn’t.

“We are very proud to have earned our ABC certification and to continue to support our students in our arts-integrated school model,” said Principal Judith Condon. “This certification allows us to continue to expand arts opportunities for our students and to reinforce the arts as a powerful tool for learning.”

Angel Oak Elementary earned additional distinctions as part of its commitment to the arts in the past few years. Condon was named the 2021 Palmetto State Arts Education Arts Administrator of the Year Award, and in October 2022, the school was recognized as an ArtsNow Leadership School.

For additional information, contact Judith Condon at Judith_Condon@charleston.k12.sc.us or (843) 559-6412.