Guilford County Schools to open new visual and performing arts magnet next year

A new visual and performing arts elementary school is set to open in Guilford County next year.

Officials say this kind of programming is in high demand. 

Peeler Open Elementary School closed after being severely damaged by a tornado in 2018.

It was home to one of the district’s arts magnet programs at the elementary level. Without it, many students found themselves on waitlists elsewhere. 

But the district hopes to change that, with the construction of a new visual and performing arts school set to serve more than 600 kids. GCS Director of Arts Education Leigh Ann Little says this kind of programming has a lot of benefits. 

“It boosts creativity. It creates opportunities for students to have critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills," she said. "It also, at young ages can help develop your fine motor skills.”

The school will have rooms for dance, music, digital design, theater and visual arts, including a space for ceramics and sculpture. Arts education will be integrated with their core classes, like math and science, too. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.