Visual and Performing Arts

The Visual Arts program at Winston Prep generates creativity in students by offering them a variety of art materials to explore. 

The strength of the art program comes from the Winston philosophy that values each student as an individual with their own unique style of expression. Guidance from art professionals makes it possible for students to discover their chosen mediums and develop their skills through hands-on problem solving. The physicality of making art and the discussion of art history are vehicles for expressing and expanding students’ visual intelligence. The core of the art program is the mastery of both the materials and a discipline that requires hard work and courage to express a student’s unique voice. When students reap the benefits of their hard work, they are left with a lasting experience of real success that helps to foster self-confidence. This confidence helps prepare them for what life has to offer.

The Drama Program that has been developing at WPS over the past two years places an emphasis on drama in education as well as training students in the performing arts. Theater is used as a lens through which students can learn, observe, engage and interpret both life and literature. 

Within the program there is also an emphasis on choosing plays that are adapted from novels in order to increase the students’ exposure to literature. The strength of the drama program lies in the building of the students’ skills throughout the entire production process. This applies not only to the performers, but to the crew members as well. The skills targeted within the program are critical thinking, language development, listening, and comprehension, learning retention, commitment and community building. The intention of the program is that it be all inclusive, meaning that all students are welcome to participate regardless of their physical or learning differences and that the process of the production will be adapted to best suit the individual needs of the student.

Ink’d Literary Magazine demonstrates the many creative writing opportunities at Winston, both in the classroom and after school. The literary magazine is a project run and produced collectively. 

The production of the journal incorporates the ideas and feedback of a variety of students whose aim is to be part of creating a tangible manifestation of their efforts. Students are empowered to plan the structure and themes of the journal, as well as to solicit, write, edit, and promote stories and poems that will be included. Ink’d is a space for students to take part in assembling their writing and ideas; as well, it is a celebration of the breadth of stylistic and imaginative accomplishments of the Winston Prep student body. Pedagogically speaking, the act of writing effectively requires and denotes a multi-step cognitive process that involves conceptual analysis, planning, organizing, and execution. The writing found in Ink’d is reflective of the Winston Prep student body’s application of those skills. It is also reflective of the differentiated literacy instruction at Winston, as students have been taught to write in numerous real-world applicable genres and given the creative choice to settle on the one that best allows them to express their unique perspectives. The creation and distribution of Ink’d allow opportunity for a community discussion of student writing that focuses on the competence in our midst.