It is now widely known that the arts are a vital part of every whole child's world-class education (10 Lessons the Arts Teach), and the latest research is showing the positive impact the arts have on student achievement in other academic areas, GPA, graduation rates, drop out rates, and the SAT (Visual Arts & Academics).  In fact, "there is a strong correlation between regular involvement in visual arts and academic performance that extends through all socioeconomic classifications and students with disabilities" (Comparison of Cohort Data, Dr. Steven Kelly, Florida State University). 

Pinellas County Schools Kindergarten through 12th-grade students receive quality instruction from certified K-12 visual arts teachers based on the district's Visual Arts Curriculum, which is aligned to the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS).  The "Big Ideas" are as follows: 1. Critical Thinking and Reflection, 2. Skills, Techniques, and Processes, 3. Organizational Structure, 4. Historical and Global Connections, and Innovation, 5. Technology and the Future.

In Elementary, all Kindergarten through 5th-grade students are enrolled in a grade-level Visual Arts course and receive 40-50 minutes of quality instruction every week in a well-equipped art classroom (or designated art-making area) at every school. There is no "art on a cart" in Pinellas County Schools! Students receive hands-on art project-based learning experiences based on a scaffolding curriculum infused with the eight Studio Habits of Mind (SHoM) and aligned to the Florida State Standards in the following Units of Study: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Mixed Media/Fiber, Digital Media, Sculpture, and Ceramics. All K-5 students have access to a Digital Arts Lab with iPads to learn 21st-century digital responsibility and skills, and to create digital artwork, photography, and stop-motion animation movies. Early learners in prekindergarten (VPK/PK3) now receive weekly 30-minute "art experiences" from certified art teachers at most elementary schools in the district. Perkins Elementary in St. Petersburg and Sandy Lane Elementary in Clearwater are the district's magnet schools for the visual arts. 

Middle School offers a spectrum of exciting Visual Arts courses as electives for 6-8 grade students. Middle school students also receive world-class instruction and hands-on art project-based learning experiences based on an engaging curriculum incorporating the eight Studio Habits of Mind (SHom) and aligned Florida State Standards in the following Units of Study: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Sculpture, and Ceramics. The nine approved courses are as follows: Visual Art 1 and 2, Digital Art & Design 1 and 2, 2-D Studio Art 1 and 2, 3-D Studio Art 1 and 2, and Pre-Advanced Placement Visual Arts. All middle school art programs utilize a Digital Arts Lab with iPads or laptops (1 to 1 devices) for students to learn 21st-century digital responsibility and skills, and to create digital artwork, photography, and stop-motion animation/live-action films. John Hopkins Middle School, in St. Petersburg, is the district's magnet school for the Fine Arts.  

High School offers many engaging Visual Arts courses as electives for students in 9-12 grades. High school students receive instruction and studio-based art project-based learning experiences based on a rigorous curriculum immersed in the eight Studio Habits of Mind (SHoM) and aligned with the Florida state standards. The approved courses are the following: 2-D Studio Art 1 and 2, 3-D Studio Art 1 & 2, Digital Art & Imaging 1, 2 & 3, Creative Photography 1, 2 & 3, Portfolio Development: 2-D & 3-D Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) 2-D Art & Design, AP 3-D Art & Design, AP Drawing, and AP Art History. Every high school utilizes a state-of-the-art Digital Arts Lab equipped with newer desktop or laptop computers, drawing tablets, large format printers, and the latest version of the Adobe Creative Suite to learn 21st-century digital responsibility and skills, and to create quality digital artwork, photography, stop-motion animations, and live-action films.  Several high school art programs now offer Adobe Industry Certification for art students enrolled in Creative Photo and Digital Art Imaging courses. High school students need one elective credit of Visual, Performing, or applied arts in order to graduate. Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA), located at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, is the high school arts magnet for the district and offers concentrated study in a specific art field while fulfilling all the academic requirements for graduation.

Below are the approved K-12 Visual Arts courses taught currently in Pinellas County Schools (click the link to download PDF):

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