The Fine Arts
The Fine Arts have been a major focus of the Collegiate curriculum since the school’s founding. Today you will find Collegiate graduates working in the major motion picture industry and throughout the world of performing arts — all over the world. Locally, Collegiate students and alumni are frequent stars of music theatre productions and other performances.

The vision of Fine Arts at Wichita Collegiate School is to allow children to experience art in all its forms, provide ways in which to discover a passion for the arts, and be given many opportunities to perform. Collegiate is a school in which children of all ages do not have to choose between athletics and arts, or academics and activities. Here, they are encouraged to do it all!

The study of Fine Arts is a requirement for students in all divisions. We provide an appropriate and in-depth introduction to, and participation in, the multi-faceted world of the arts as an important form of expression. We believe that the study of Fine Arts offers profound academic implications in addition to its expressive power, and we believe that such study should have an equal status to other academic regimens at the school.

In Early Childhood Education, the focus for children is experiencing music. Children ages two through preschool spend a lot of time moving to music. They are introduced to various instruments and learn how instruments work. Because young children learn through play, they “story play” with music and are given opportunities to interact with music and each other.

Wichita Collegiate School is a creative place, and you will see this creativity celebrated through the arts. Lower School students in grades one through four perform on stage frequently. Not only do parents have opportunities to capture priceless moments to treasure years later, but the activity also provides children with a sense of confidence. That confidence translates to other areas of learning, and to social and intellectual development for years to come.

Middle School students are offered a myriad of opportunities to experiment in their area of interest. Middle School students present one major musical and two dramas each year. Through drama, choral singing and instrumental music, students are encouraged to constantly create, constantly perform. Collegiate also offers a technology and recording class at this level, giving kids the chance to make music in a variety of ways.

The Upper School produces two major musicals, one major drama production, and multiple concerts each year. At Collegiate, in keeping with our high level, college-preparatory program we prepare students for college-level work, both for those who will enroll in college fine arts classes, for those who intend to pursue professional goals in the arts, and for those who simply express a personal interest.

“The leadership of Wichita Collegiate School is always listening to our ideas, and always striving to make our arts curriculum even better. We enjoy consistent and major support from our Board of Trustees. Collegiate employs a total of 13 Fine Arts teachers! We believe in the Arts.” — Sherri Pilgreen, Chair of the Fine Arts Department