In August 2016, the Round Rock Independent School District transformed Berkman and Wells Branch elementary schools into Arts Integration Academies (AIA) exposing students to a wide variety of arts strategies integrated into all subjects. Additionally, in August 2017, Xenia Voigt Elementary joined the arts integration movement and the district’s newest campus, Joe Lee Johnson Elementary opened as a STEAM Academy. Through the AIA/STEAM focus, faculty and students use engaged learning strategies through the arts in all aspects of their teaching and learning. All campuses underwent facility upgrades, including the addition of a stage, spaces for enhanced music, theatre and dance, and flexible learning environments. Berkman Elementary is one of the district’s oldest and most historic campuses and is situated in the heart of the City of Round Rock’s emerging arts hub. These campuses work to provide unique opportunities for the AIA/STEAM students to experience the arts near their school and downtown in the midst of the city’s vision for the arts district. The district has partnered with many community, state and national organizations like The University of Texas Drama for Schools, Austin’s Creative Action, and the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts to provide student enrichment and professional development for faculty at the AIA/STEAM campuses. The faculty continually work to infuse the Aligned Round Rock Curriculum with arts integration strategies that engage learners for enhanced academic and personal growth. The Fine Arts Department supports these campus foci through production of events like The Integration Institute, local Arts Integration work/conferences and support materials like strategy cards.
For more information visit the Berkman Elementary Arts Integration Academy website follow us on twitter @BerkmanAIA
For more information visit the Joe Lee Johnson Elementary STEAM Academy website or follow us on twitter @JLJohnsonElem
For more information visit the Xenia Voigt Elementary Arts Integration Academy website or follow us on twitter @VoigtAIA_RRISD
For more information visit the Wells Branch Elementary Arts Integration Academy website or follow us on twitter @WellsBranchAIA
We are consistently present about the journey to the AIA format within our schools, check out our presentation at Texas Educational Theatre Association Conference (TETA) entitled Arts Integration Academies; Setting The Stage for Success.
Check out our work with Arts Integration Strategy Cards for Teachers Printed AIA Strategy Card Sets are available from the Round Rock ISD Fine Arts Department by contacting Tim Lowke, Assistant Director of Visual & Performing Arts at 512.464.5931 or via email at tim_lowke@roundrockisd.org.