The Catawba Valley has always focused on the arts, and our residents and students are drawn to creative learning opportunities. We think outside of the box, and that has helped our region thrive.
There are many arts education programs available in our region, and they have large numbers of students. Our Montessori School recently expanded to make room for all of the interested students. Montessori schools focus on teaching core subjects, integrated with the arts. Students can also take classes at Hickory Community Theatre, The NewArt School, or Hickory Museum of Art. Classes at these locations are not limited to children.
Even in our public schools, creative learning thrives. Across the country, teachers are forced to teach students only what will be on the standardized tests, in as straight forward a method as possible. This results in bored students, who don’t retain the information, because it isn’t attached to anything valuable or memorable in their minds. Our school boards, administration and teachers understand the importance of holistic teaching, and of treating the students as people, instead of test scores. Projects and performances are the norm in schools across our region.
