Every child is an artist at Jefferson Academy Elementary! JA’s young artists engage in the creative process to create high-quality projects reflecting imagination, meaning and skill development using a variety of media. Artists also practice how to look at art, recognize the Elements and Principles in an artwork and consider its meaning and purpose. Young artists explore artworks from a diversity of cultures and become familiar with an ever wider range of great artists and masterworks.
Art tells a story! At first, we learn to open art like a book, to notice its pages and to listen. Later we learn to see the artmaker, to appreciate their craft and their voice and to be invited into their experience and point-of-view. We notice the artmaker is part of a community and a particular time and place that lends meaning and depth to their work. Later we can give language to their craft and think about their art from multiple perspectives.
"Take time to look." Georgia O'Keeffe
Art is learned in the making! At JA, artists explore many media including ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture and fibers! Opportunities for creative exploration, and structured skill development ensure that students discover areas of strength and interest.
"I keep on making what I can't do yet in order to learn to do it." Vincent Van Gogh
Every culture, both ancient and modern, creates art! The artworks created within the context of a particular culture provide a valuable window into the values, understandings and happenings of a time and place. Complementing JA's Core Knowledge history curriculum, intermediate art instruction enriches the students' understanding of history and it's important lesssons.
"Art is not a thing; it is a way." - Elbert Hubbard
Jefferson Academy Elementary is launching a new chapter of NJAHS for 6th graders!
The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS) programs are designed by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) to support and recognize students who have shown outstanding abilities in art. The NAHS and NJAHS programs support student members in their goal of attaining the highest standards in visual arts, and bring visual arts education to the attention of the school and community. Jefferson Academy currently has active chapters at the Secondary building for both middle and high school artists. We’re thrilled to announce an additional NJAHS chapter beginning at Jefferson Academy Elementary to support our outstanding sixth grade students!
Forms: Students will complete a registration form available on JA’s art website (linked at our elementary website, teacher pages, Art: 3rd-6th) below. This year’s art enrollment is open September 23rd-30th.
Payment: A completed registration form along with exact cash or a check payable to “Jefferson Academy” for $100 should be submitted to the office or Mrs. Weir by Tuesday, September 30th. This cost will cover the fee to the NAEA, induction items and project materials. Families will be notified of NJAHS enrollment via email by Friday, October 3rd.
See the flyer below for dates and details!
Art Club enrollment is closed for the 2025-2026 school year. Thanks so much for your interest!
Intermediate art club is an after school enrichment opportunity offered to 3rd-6th grade students who express a passion for the visual arts. The art clubs will focus on deepening experience with a particular medium and building a sense of fun and community among our young artists!
Registration Details: Families will receive an invitation to enroll August 18th-29th. Registration officially begins August 25th and will end August 29th at the end of the school day. Registration forms are available below. Students will rank their 1st, 2nd & 3rd project preferences. We will do our best to honor preferences.
Payment: A completed registration form along with exact cash or a check payable to “Jefferson Academy” for $60 should be submitted to the office or to Mrs. Weir by August 29th. Siblings do need separate forms and payments. Please note, art club is an optional after school program. Therefore the fee is not included in the free or reduced lunch waiver program. Families will be notified of club enrollment via email by Friday, September 5th.
