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Movement Leads To Learning in Children

Our Adapted Gymnastic class looks like a lot of fun, but there is more going on than what the observer sees. Recently our Adapted Gymnastics...

Friday, March 21, 2014

School or Studio?

In visiting with and listening to parents lately, there seems to be some confusion about school. Just the label "school" in itself seems to mean different things to different people. The conversation came up recently when a new inquiry asked why we called our place a "school" and not a "studio".

I went on to explain that the word "studio" really did not explain what we do here at Academy of Fine Arts. We call our selves a school, and operate as one, because we teach educational programs such as dance, music, gymnastics/tumbling, swimming (in our Woodward location) and an arts based preschool.

Our programs are syllabus based and having learning objectives for our students. The classes are organized and planned out by qualified teachers that continually train each year to become better at what they teach. Our school program has received recognition on the state, regional and national levels.

But you will fine "studios" within our school. The studios are equipped rooms that meets the needs of the students and teachers that take a class in there. Specialized floors for training, sound systems (not boom boxes), mirrors, barres, gymnastic equipment, pianos, drums, art equipment and supplies, preschool activity centers, desks and supplies. Each studio is set up for the type of class that is offered in that room. Even multifunctional studios are equipped to meet the needs to the different classes held in them.

When looking at the definition of the word studio, you will find the following:
1
a :  the working place of a painter, sculptor, or photographer

b :  a place for the study of an art (as dancing, singing, or acting)
2
a :  a place where motion pictures are made
b :  a company that produces motion pictures
3
:  a place maintained and equipped for the transmission of radio or television programs
4
:  a place where audio recordings are made
 
When looking at the definition of the word school, you also find the following:
 
1
:  an organization that provides instruction: as
a :  an institution for the teaching of children
 
We do believe that we provide instruction and that most of our students are children. We also know that each and every program that we teach, with consistent training and passion, can lead to a college or university scholarship and to a career. Therefor, we prefer to call ourselves a school. It just so happens that our classes are taught in studios.
 
But it does not matter what our families call us.When talking about their classes to friends and family, it  dose not matter because they are always being told about our terrific programs and how many of our students have went on to a college or university to further their education. You see, "studio" or "school" does not matter when your program is doing the right thing for their students.