Schools with the Arts at Heart
Atlanta International School
At many Atlanta schools, students are immersed in the arts every day, from drama and music to visual arts and filmmaking. Read about what local schools have to offer talented students.
Creativity in the Classroom
Student Art Exhibitions
The creativity of student artists at Atlanta International School was celebrated in multiple ways this year, with an on-campus student showcase of visual arts as well as a special art display at the High Museum. A 12th grade Diploma Programme exhibition at creative event space The SuperMarket ATL included live music, painting, sculpture and digital media.
Pace Academy
Seven Days of the Arts
Pace Academy’s annual Spring Arts Week is a schoolwide celebration of creativity. Students in all grades participate in hands-on workshops, presentations and performances, including a “Knight of Jazz” concert and “Improv Throwdown.” An artists’ market connects students with professional artists and entrepreneurs. The event encourages students to see the world and their own creativity through new perspectives.
Benjamin E. Mays High School
State-of-the-Art Music Education
At a September 4 ribbon-cutting event, Atlanta Public Schools’ Benjamin E. Mays High School celebrated the opening of the Mays High School Studio Production, a state-of-the-art music studio and production lab. The space will inspire collaboration, creativity and learning with advanced music production software, electronic keyboards and guitars, podcast equipment and more.
Milton High School
Adventures in Cirque
Each year, students at the Milton Theatre Company of Milton High School work as a team to develop, produce and present a Cirque performance. Performers take part in extensive physical conditioning, along with training in aerial and ground apparatus, acting, juggling, dance, miming and more. The award-winning company continues its tradition with Spring Cirque in 2026!
Wesleyan School
Spring Artist Market
Each spring, the Wesleyan Artist Market showcases work by professional artists as well as students. Exhibits include art, handmade items, jewelry, textiles and photography; proceeds from the market support arts initiatives at the school throughout the year. The 2026 Artist Market will be held on the Wesleyan campus, April 24-25.
Galloway School
Spring Fling
A beloved tradition at Galloway, the annual Spring Fling puts 3rd and 4th grade students in the spotlight with performances, artwork, and scenes that reflect their creative development and collaboration. Galloway’s focus on fine arts continues across all student grades; this year, over 75 Galloway student artworks were featured in the High Museum Student Exhibit.
Greater Atlanta Christian School
A Space for Student Voices
Greater Atlanta Christian School recently opened a new podcast studio and production space for students interested in film and video production. With expanded course offerings from beginner to advanced levels, students can explore their passion for media in a hands-on, professional environment.
Mount Paran Christian School
A Celebration in Music
High school students at Mount Paran Christian School helped mark the school’s 50th anniversary with a Show Choir production, “Celebration.” The August 28 and 29 performances, sung in front of an appreciative live audience, featured iconic hits throughout the decades.
Shining Stars
Atlanta Academy
Onstage Debut
Students from Atlanta Academy had the opportunity to perform live onstage at the Woodstock Concert Series. 4th and 5th graders accompanied the band Interstellar Echoes during their “Tribute to Pink Floyd” concert at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater on September 13. The event was coordinated by music teacher David Shore.
Fulton Science Academy
Stars in Music
At the Southern Star Music Festival in April, Fulton Science Academy’s orchestra earned a gold rating from the judges and received the title of Grand Champion, the competition’s highest award. The festival, held annually in Atlanta, involves band, orchestra and choral students from across five states.
Autrey Mill Middle School
Music Program of the Year
Autrey Mill Middle School –a Fulton County School—was recently named “Music Program of the Year” by the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). The award, given to one Georgia school annually, recognizes the many achievements of Autrey Mills’ orchestra, band and chorus programs.
Kennesaw Mountain High School
Disney School of Excellence
Kennesaw Mountain High School’s drama program recently received the Disney School of Excellence Award. The Cobb County school is one of just 21 schools selected nationwide. The award recognizes schools for their exceptional student-led involvement in theatre production; winning schools receive a grant for licensing and materials to produce a Disney musical in the 2025-2026 school year, plus exclusive webinars with industry professionals.
Student Accolades
Woodward Academy Photo Credit: Savannah Hamilton
Award-Winning Photography
Woodward Academy 8th grader Savannah Hamilton has been named a Gold 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Winner by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for her photograph, “Looking Deep Inside My Eyes.” Nearly 110,000 teens entered more than 310,000 works of art and writing in this year’s competition.
South Cobb High School
Cinematic Win
South Cobb High School student Anabella Alvarado was recently awarded first place in the 2025 Youth Across America Hope Film Competition, earning a $1,000 grand prize shared between her and her teacher. Her winning short film, “My Brother,” tells a heartfelt story of familial separation and the hope of reconnection after adoption.
Lovett School
A Rising Star
A Lovett Honors Singers student made the Top 5 in the 2025 Season of American Idol. Slater Nalley ‘25 auditioned with an original song, “Traces of You,” inspired by a poem written by his English teacher, Michele Davis, in memory of her late son, Carter. Since his success, Slater has continued to pursue a music career in Nashville.
Atlanta Public Schools
Celebrating Young Filmmakers
The Instructional Technology Department of Atlanta Public Schools recently hosted its annual Film Festival, a celebration of young cinematic talent. Nearly 300 students from 32 elementary, middle, and high schools across the district participated, submitting over 100 unique films. Scored by a panel of industry judges, winners were honored during an Oscars-themed awards ceremony on May 7.
Stillwell School of the Arts
Symphonic Honors
The Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts’ Stilwell Wind Symphony has been selected to perform at the 2026 National Symphony Institute in Washington, D.C. The Clayton County school received superior ratings at the Large Group Performance Evaluation in September, and is one of just four schools nationwide to receive the honor.
