Arts Offerings
The SPSG Arts Department coordinates with St. Paul's School to offer a sequential curriculum in Visual, Graphic and Manual Arts, Music, Dance, and Theatre. This includes IB an AP course opportunities. The Arts at St. Paul's School for Girls cultivate the whole student, gradually building many kinds of literacy while developing intuition, reasoning, imagination, and dexterity into unique forms of expression.
Dance
Through a comprehensive curriculum, as well as extra study through The Dance Conservatory at the St. Paul's Schools, students experience cultural enrichment, technical achievement, and physical fitness. The dance program at St. Paul’s School for Girls offers an ensemble approach focused on developing individual skill levels and collaborative group creations. The performance of dance provides artistic and physical growth, encouraging a connection of body, mind, and spirit. The styles in our curricular offerings include Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary.
Music
Our award-winning choral program enhances the development of creativity and affords students the opportunity to build individual expression and group relationships. Formal music instruction enhances intellectual, emotional, and social balance. Students learn to appreciate a variety of musical styles, from classical to contemporary, and develop strong musicianship. An emphasis is placed on improving performance skills and appreciating international musical styles. The study of music contributes significantly to academic success and is a great source of enjoyment that will endure for a lifetime. Private vocal and instrumental lessons are available after school at The Ward Center for the Arts.
Theatre
Theatre courses are offered to students in grades 5–12. Every year the Middle School, in conjunction with St. Paul’s School, presents a major theatre production in The Ward Center for the Arts. Upper School students benefit from a joint theatre program with St. Paul’s School with a fully
coordinated curriculum. SPSG offers a four-year sequence of theatre courses with particular focus on acting (including musical theatre, comedy styles, and physical theatre), technical theatre, directing, and production. From classic dramas to contemporary musicals, the St. Paul’s Schools provide ambitious girls and boys with an exciting outlet for creative expression. Working on either side of the curtain, students learn about the immediate but indelible nature of this most collaborative discipline. Three formal theatre productions are staged each year with students involved in all aspects of the production process including stage management, production design, and assistant directing opportunities. We celebrate the voice of the young artist in our student-written and produced one-act play festival, Spring Shorts. Participation is open to the entire student body by audition or interview. The state-of-the-art Ward Center theater is staffed by a full-time sound and lighting director and technical director.