Shelton admits learning-different students of any race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Our mission as Fine Arts educators is to develop a student’s creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills by modeling flexibility, resilience, and perseverance through customized remediation of learning differences and strengthening of academic, emotional, and social intelligence in a collaborative, respectful atmosphere. Through the arts, students learn to work independently and with others, thus becoming forward-thinking, socially aware and confident students who have a life-long appreciation of the arts.

We believe that no student's education is complete without exposure to and participation in the arts. While academics are a priority, our stellar Fine Arts program is where our students’ creativity, confidence, and unique gifts shine brightest. Through music, dance, visual arts, film, photography and theatre, students discover new ways to express themselves, build essential social-emotional skills, and celebrate each other’s talents. At Shelton, participation in Fine Arts not only builds confidence and creativity, it also strengthens our community at all grade levels.

Dance

In our Middle and Upper School dance program, students build a strong foundation in the essential elements of dance, while developing discipline, teamwork, and school spirit. Middle School dance students have quarterly performances, while our Upper School Chargerette team performs at football games, pep rallies and competes at TAPPS for State honors. Every other year the team travels to Disney World in Florida for competition and family fun.

Drama/Theatre Arts

From Early Childhood through 8th grade, drama classes are provided as both rotations and electives. In upper school, we use the term “Theatre Arts” to include a wide array of instruction that includes acting techniques as well as technical production. In Lower and Middle School, daytime performance opportunities abound throughout the year. In Upper School, a number of classes are offered as well as the opportunity to work in our after-school productions, which include a fall play, winter musical, festival productions and our Springtime one-act play performance during Week of the Arts.

Film and Broadcast Journalism

Upper School classes and clubs include instruction in the history of cinema as well as production, writing and editing techniques. Film students film many of our school activities including football games, Grandparents Day, graduation, auction promotionals and student documentaries. Upper School students have the opportunity to submit films for the Fall Film Festival at Shelton and the annual Shelton Film Festival held each Spring at Studio Movie Grill- Spring Valley. Broadcast Journalism class that writes, films, edits and airs our Charger Daily News, shown each day in advisory.

Music

For all ages, we provide various levels of vocal and instrumental music, including choir, piano, band and drumline (Middle and Upper School levels). Once a year, Middle school choir and drama classes combine to produce a musical, while other choir classes focus on all types of choral music. In addition to classes, Instrumental music offers an after-school band and drumline program for students in grades 4-12. Drumline students perform at football games, pep rallies and many other events. All of our Upper School music students perform in concerts throughout the year.

Visual Arts

Lower and Middle School classes include painting, drawing, illustration, ceramics and digital photography. Upper School students have the opportunity to study all aspects of 2-D and 3-D visual arts. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide designated Ceramics and Sculpture rooms with large north-facing windows to allow for an optimal environment for our young artists. Finally, our students regularly have their artwork and photography displayed in the Gammper Art Gallery located in the Moody Fine Arts Center lobby.