Arts and Media: The Specialist Program
Synapse approaches the study of art and media through learning experiences that immerse students in the elements of art and composition, drama, music, and digital technology. Given the growing body of research, which shows how the arts contribute to brain development, Synapse is committed to the development of these areas in all students. Artistic expression is an historically universal phenomenon that modern technology and media has transformed into a key component of our globalized society. In order to prepare Synapse students for this global arena, we employ a two-pronged approach to teaching the Creative Arts and Media. Students enjoy separate classes dedicated to the individual subject area and continual integration into the core subject areas of math, language arts, social studies, and science.
Art
Visual imaging is defined as the ability to generate and manipulate mental images in our brain and is an essential fundamental component within the cognitive process. The power of visual input is immense. The more visual the data provided for the brain the more likely it is to be remembered. 
For example, students can remember 2,500 pictures with 90% accuracy several days after exposure, even if exposure is only about 10 seconds. Children are born with a variety of preloaded software devoted to visual processing. Synapse incorporates that data into daily instruction and is aware of the value of self‐generated versions of data collected, so art is often an outgrowth of the daily curriculum. In addition, the art specialist often picks up on a theme being studied in the classroom and spends additional time honing more information into the pictures being created.
Music
By experiencing and learning about musical elements, students express their feelings, connect with each other, and communicate to their audiences. Science suggests that processing music helps to better engage the brain, promoting faster and more accurate learning. At Synapse, music is both a process—a way of highlighting and expressing emotions, connecting with each other, and communicating ideas, and an output—choral singing and performing with musical instruments. The elements of music – rhythm, melody, dynamics, phrasing, and form are experienced by students through individual and collective activities by being both an enthusiastic presenter and an engaged audience member.
Theater/Drama
The word “person” comes from the Latin word “persona” meaning a mask or character in a play. Thus Shakespeare’s words, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” takes on a whole new meaning.
The theater program at Synapse is a great opportunity for our students to explore critical questions, complicated social concerns, and current world issues. Theater or drama presentations, which usually begin with role‐playing and skits, build socialization skills such as cooperation and collaboration. Students will have the opportunity to practice multiple roles: playwright, performer, director, and designer. Dramatic productions provide a context in which students build on their emotional intelligence skills, such as consequential thinking, navigating emotions, optimism, and empathy. Such an environment allows for students to experience different personalities and roles as an opportunity for self‐discovery and self‐awareness.
Technology
Students today are products of the “digital generation.” They were born during the Internet Age and the explosion of media venues, which penetrate facet of life. The media arts program enables students to discover their unique voices, explore the intersection of technology and communications, and prepare to be active players in a growing field of global communications. They will learn photography, video, image manipulation, music, lighting, dialogue, and writing, using the latest digital tools as forms of expression and communication in the digital age.