Studies have shown that students who take four years of arts coursework score higher on the SAT than students with less arts coursework, with a 58 point difference in verbal scores and 38 point difference in math. 21st century skills sought by companies like Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco include critical and creative thinking. The mission of the BVSW Visual Arts Department is to engage students in refining artistic skills and techniques while challenging creative and global thinking and igniting passion for the creative process. The department offers courses for freshmen like Design Fundamentals, Drawing 1, Photography 1, and Digital Imaging.

1. BVSW Visual Arts: Shawn Stelter Enrollment Information

2. How the Arts contribute to student achievement… SAT Scores of Students Who Study the Arts: What We Can and Cannot Conclude about the Association, Kathryn Vaughn and Ellen Winner (Fall 2000). “ students who took four years of arts coursework outperformed their peers who had one half-year or less of arts coursework by 58 points on the verbal portion and 38 points on the math portion of the SAT.” 2005 College-Bound Seniors: Total Group Profile Report, The College Board, 2005

6. Art Department Course Suggestions… www.bluevalleyk12.org/bvsw/enrollment