Arts

Walk through the halls of both our Lower School and Upper School campuses and you will see and hear how the arts are infused in everyday student life at The Leffell School. At Leffell we believe that the Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Music are avenues for student self-expression and creativity as well as vehicles for developing the self-esteem and confidence that are integral to our whole-child approach to education.

Visual Arts

Using a variety of mediums and techniques, Leffell School students engage in artistic self-expression, honing their skills and exploring new dimensions. They are encouraged to develop their own style as they create and respond to various art forms and connect their work in the studio to their classroom studies across disciplines.

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Lower School Curriculum

The Lower School art curriculum focuses on projects inspired by books, collaboration with science and Judaic studies, and art history in an engaging, creative, and imaginative way. Students learn about different artists and use a variety of materials and techniques. Our curriculum includes art appreciation, allowing students an opportunity to showcase both their talents and the inspiration behind their individual projects. Additionally, students can participate in afterschool art clubs, which include painting and quilting. All students will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the schoolwide Leffestival.
Middle School Curriculum

The Middle School art elective is designed around developing student skills in a wide range of artistic media. Through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more, students learn creative problem-solving and principles of design while making unique works of art. Additionally, students in the crafts club hone new techniques while creating both functional and decorative crafts. Students can select their work to be displayed at the schoolwide Leffestival.
High School Curriculum

The High School art program guides students through a series of courses exploring the possibilities of art and design. Students investigate the foundations of two- and three-dimensional design as they begin to establish their artistic voices, then further develop their mastery of techniques in advanced courses and studio intensives. Students can select their works to be included in the schoolwide Leffestival and the High School Arts Madness showcase.

Performing Arts

Students in performing arts embark on a journey of self-discovery while gaining confidence and broadening their communication and collaboration skills. Through a variety of programs and performances, from Lower School and Middle School musicals to student-directed High School dramas, students tackle new challenges and expand their dramatic horizons.

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Lower School Curriculum

The Lower School fifth-grade drama experience includes plays of William Shakespeare and the art of dramatic storytelling. The program, which incorporates theatrical exercises and heightened poetic text, improves public speaking skills, broadens understanding of social issues, encourages imaginative growth, teaches collaborative problem-solving, builds emotional intelligence, and promotes self-confidence in young people. Each year the Lower School also offers the opportunity for all students to participate after school in a professionally directed musical production.
Middle School Curriculum

The Leffell Middle School's afterschool performing arts program focuses on creativity, student engagement, and learning the ins and outs of what it takes to put on a production. From vocal technique and choreography, to theater tech and stage crew, this program will enhance each child's understanding of how to be a true ensemble member while giving them important skills that highlight collaboration and self-confidence! Both the Middle School musical and the Middle School play are highly anticipated and attended!
High School Curriculum

The Leffell High School performing arts experience is an intensive process that cultivates and advances students' skills and techniques while collaborating to form a professional-quality final product. Each year, students have the opportunity to participate in a faculty-directed winter musical and a student-directed play in the spring. In addition to opportunities on stage, students can also learn and manage lighting design, sound design, costume design, set construction, and more. Actors, dancers, singers, and stage crew members create together, support each other, and form deep friendships that last through high school and beyond. Select performances will also be included in the High School Arts Madness showcase as well as the schoolwide Leffestival.

The afterschool dance club gives students from every level the additional opportunity to build on dance techniques, learn fun dance combinations, and increase flexibility. The dance club performs at school and charity events throughout the year.

Music

Music education builds language and reasoning skills and allows students to pursue new experiences and deepen their appreciation for the world around them. At The Leffell School, we expose students to a wide range of music genres, nurture their interests and talents at all levels, and encourage them to discover the joy of hearing, singing, playing music, and live performance.

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Lower School Curriculum

The Lower School curriculum includes courses in both Jewish music and general vocal and instrumental music. Students are encouraged to come to a love of music in their own way, exploring through singing, playing, dancing, composing, and responding to music in both Hebrew and English. Older students have the opportunity to participate in Choir, Brass/Woodwind/Percussion Band, and String Ensemble. The Fifth-Grade Beginning Band performs an annual concert and all students can participate in the schoolwide Leffestival.
Middle School Curriculum

Middle School students can elect to continue their exploration of instrumental music in Concert Band, developing their technical skills and music literacy in large ensemble settings. Students of many musical backgrounds are also welcome to join the Jazz/Rock Band Club, where they explore different styles of rock, pop, and jazz fusion while practicing performance techniques, improvisation, and more advanced music literacy. A highlight of the year is the Middle School Spring Concert featuring the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and soloists in an exciting evening event.
High School Curriculum

High School students can study music by participating in our instrumental ensemble course, which not only prepares students for performance opportunities but dives deeply into music theory and composition. Class time includes both rehearsal of customized arrangements for the ensemble and ear training exercises that foster musical literacy. Students learn to transcribe, arrange, compose, and notate music while developing a passion for the qualitative experience of listening to and making music. Students also have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular music groups including the Choir and the Chamber Strings Ensemble. Finally, students are able to both participate in and lead musical events throughout the year, including Cabaret Night and various holiday assemblies.