Some people are born with an aptitude for science while others possess artistic ability.

Both arts and STEM classes are important and stimulate the brain. In elementary school every student takes a visual art and a general music class, however beyond elementary school arts classes are never required. When students reach high school age it is challenging to fit arts into their schedule. Math and science classes are required K-12.  

Why is one prioritized over the other?

Studies have shown that students who participate in the fine and performing arts are typically more successful in other areas of life as well as in school. There is also a clear correlation between taking arts classes and scoring well on the SATs.

For example, students with 4 plus years of art classes scored 38 points higher on the math portion and 58 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT than students with one half year or less of arts classes.

There is even evidence to support the idea that arts classes can improve language acquisition, reading ability, math skills, thinking and social capability, as well as improve a student’s motivation to learn.

If arts classes can help students achieve greater academic success in all areas it would make sense to require these classes for students beyond elementary school.

Not everyone will excel in arts classes the same way not every student excels in math or science. Despite this it is still beneficial for all students to take some form of visual or performing arts class at the secondary level.

In Massachusetts many schools require students to take health and wellness for a portion of the year in high school. At Hudson High every high school student, grades eight through twelve, is required to take one semester of wellness. Students would benefit if schools filled the empty semester after wellness with an arts class requirement.

The benefit of adding even half a year of an art, whether that be band, chorus, art or drama could potentially help students in the future with SAT scores.

Students with four or more years of arts classes scored much higher than the average student, especially in math. In school, math is one of the most valued subjects. It is forced upon children from a very young age. The arts could potentially help students who struggle in math.

Why do we not require that children be involved in the arts through elementary, middle and high school?

People are not ignorant about the benefits of the arts. In fact many parents and educators understand the wide ranging benefits for children.

The issue lies with the fact that math and science are valued more in our society. When budget cuts have to be made, as they always do in our education system, the arts are always at the top of the list of classes to drop. For students to take the number of years in the arts they deserve a lesson in the benefits of the arts is needed.

There must be a change in attitude towards what subjects and eventual careers are valued. Once people really begin to understand how taking arts classes beyond elementary and middle school promotes success in school as well as in real life, it will become infinitely simpler to promote required arts classes at the high school level.

From the beginning of our school careers we are told that our education is to prepare us for life yet the arts, which teach students skills needed outside of the classroom, are not utilized to achieve this goal.

Math and science are important, I wouldn’t deny that but art, drama and music have the same value if the goal is to prepare students for adult life. All of these subjects together create STEAM and will help students achieve their greatest potential.