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Article Summaries |
School Days With a New Old Twist
With a maximum ten students per class, regular attendance required, daily practice expected, a rigorous academic approach, and classics for kids, the Albert Schweitzer Academy for the Arts (AASA) at 1043 Western Avenue, Route 202, in Manchester, is a modern alternative school modeled on the classic educational approach. Developed four years ago during a casual brain-storming session addressing the difficulties of juggling academics and the arts, the idea came into being based on the premise of building into the school day time for students to practice and be in an ensemble. Today, the Albert Schweitzer Academy for the Arts provides an environment where "developing minds are stimulated with a thirst for knowledge, a desire for truth and a passion for service." Its philosophy is based on Dr. Schweitzer's life which offers a model of faith, discipline, excellence and dedication. The ASAA assists parents in developing these same qualities in their children through a Judeo-Christian foundation which promotes academic achievement and artistic expression. With the arts as its guideline, ASAA now provides a Classical education for grades three through eight, with a fine arts emphasis and a Judeo-Christian foundation. Classes are held for full time Middle School students to study history, Latin, and other core subjects, plus one hour of arts instruction per day. Additionally, there are many after school offerings including private music lessons, chorus, visual arts and martial arts. Classes for younger students are also available, including Kindergarten drawing on the Montessori method. 
One of the most unique characteristics of the ASAA program is its focus on the Arts. At least one third of the school day is devoted to rigorous, in-depth development of a talent or interest in the Arts as students join like-minded peers in extensive performance experiences. Major components of this immersion are practice and recitals "Children and adults enrolled in lessons are expected to practice daily," the catalog advises. "The discipline of regular daily practice yields rewards of joy, confidence and mastery in performance. Instructors will consult about reasonable practice times and parents of children younger than eight years are encouraged to attend lessons. Students must attend at least 90% of scheduled classes in order to participate in recitals which are held at least twice a year, prior to which students are expected to play a memorized piece in a practice recital. For more information call 623-ASAA or visit the school's web site. | ||