Gwinnett Charter Arts School Recognized By Education Department

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — North Metro Academy of Performing Arts, a free Gwinnett County public charter school, is one of three Georgia school recognized Monday by the state for integrating the arts into their programs.

The Georgia Department of Education’s new Creative School Arts Integration award tapped the Norcross school — along with Henderson Mill Elementary School in DeKalb County and the School for Arts Infused Instruction (SAIL) near Augusta — as “Schools of Excellence.”

“We believe the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education, that they are valuable on their own and that they enhance learning in other subject areas,” Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a statement released Monday. “This award recognizes schools who are going above and beyond to integrate the arts into their students’ day-to-day learning experience.”

According to a statement from the state board of education, North Metro “integrates the performing arts into rigorous, standards-aligned academic curriculum across content area.”

All K-12 public schools in Georgia were invited to apply for the award.