Community Day School Love the learning, Live the Values 

Arts at CDS

Through the arts, students at Community Day School build confidence, express themselves, put their creativity into action—and of course, have fun. The visual, musical, and performing arts are a vital part of our curriculum, playing an important role in developing the intellectual, spiritual, and personal potential of every child.

Art

Student builds assemblage in art class

Art classes at CDS are taught through an interdisciplinary approach called Discipline Based Art Education (DBAE), which emphasizes aesthetics, criticism, history, and production. Students explore the elements and principles of design through many different lenses, drawing connections between the world of art and the life skills it teaches such as creativity, process, and decision-making.  

Performing Arts

Middle School students perform Alice in Wonderland

Each spring, Middle School students collaborate to produce a spring musical, with recent productions including Beauty and the Beast Jr., James and the Giant Peach Jr., and Alice in Wonderland Jr. Performances are staged in the Miriam and Paul Kossis Performing Arts Center at CDS. Intermediate School students also have the opportunity to hone their theatrical skills through the IS Drama Club, which produces a showcase of one-act plays in the spring. 

Music

Three students play drums with the Head of Middle School

CDS offers an integrated global music program in a Jewish context that inspires our students to love learning music. It is taught through the Orff Schulwerk approach that builds musicianship by integrating music, movement, speech, and drama. Imitation, experimentation, and personal expression occur naturally as students become more confident musicians and creative problem-solvers. 

Instrumental Band

Two band students play the trumpet

In addition to Music as part of our curriculum, students in Grades 3-8 may also participate in Instrumental Music (Band). Being involved in a school band program helps to foster a lifelong appreciation of music and group-playing encourages unity and a spirit of cooperation. Julie Harris directs our Band program. She is a certified music instructor with degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University.