Ann Arbor Christian School - Art, Music, & PE - Preschool-8th grade, serving families in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Brighton, Whitmore Lake, Washtenaw County, and beyond.

"...Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his...
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100

Art

"The arts is such an easy vehicle for people to learn about other cultures, other ways of worshipping God, other ways of experiencing his creation."

Kristin Kovak, Art Teacher

"Art is the flowers on the lawn

     whistling in the breeze.

Art is the squirrel in your window

     bounding through the trees.

Art is a canvas painting

     drawn with shadings and pastels.

Art is a giant sculpture

     made of macaroni shells.

Art is origami

     with all its cuts and folds.

Art is an ancient tradition,

     a heritage long told.

Art has its own emotions

     that vary time to time.

Art has its own universe

     it truly is sublime!

Art has a mystical air

     of majesty and might.

Art is a feast for your eyes,

     the music for your sight.

Art is a wondrous utopia

     be it serious or odd.

Art is a thoughtful present

     given to Man from God.

Art is a complex challenge

     and also our forte.

So why do some say they don't see art?

     They see it every day."

Collin, 8th grade art journal

We believe in a creative God, who wants us to appreciate and nurture our creativity. He's given us a world of form, shape, color, pattern, and beauty. The art curriculum helps students learn to recognize, enjoy, and evaluate the aesthetic side of God's creation. Students explore different mediums for artistic expression, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, weaving, textiles, stained glass and mosaics. Students are introduced to art history, learn to identify art by well-known artists, and discuss differences in art from different cultures. Fifth through eighth graders participate in a Fine Arts Day with other area Christian schools, where they can display their own artwork.

Music

"Music education at AACS is designed to train students to lead in praise and worship while expanding their skills in music notation, performance and building a functional knowledge of music history."

Thom Ritzema, Music Teacher

Music education at our school centers around a desire for the passion of music to touch the hearts of God's people. Our students are taught basic music history and theory, as well as the role of music in worship and in biblical history.

All students have general music once a week. Fifth graders may also try different musical instruments � including flute, clarinet, and trumpet � through instrument exploratory lessons. An instrumental band program is offered to middle school students twice a week during school hours. All-school programs include Grandparents' Day, Christmas Family Gathering (an intimate celebration of Christ's birth with school families), and a Spring Fine Arts Celebration. Typically, fifth through eighth graders participate in a Fine Arts Day with other area Christian schools, where they can perform a prepared piece of music.

Physical Education

"God has given us wonderful bodies and my job is to teach students how they work. It's great to interact with these students, to encourage them to develop their God given athletic ability."

Melanie Bolhuis, PE Teacher

Physical education at AACS promotes physical fitness and Christian discipleship through sports. In elementary school, we center around the concepts share, care, and play fair. In middle school, we build on those concepts as we focus on skill improvement, attitude, knowledge, and sportsmanship.

Activities include soccer, football, floor hockey, square-dancing, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and badminton. These activities teach students basic movement skills, how to care for their bodies, how to enjoy fitness, and how fitness and sports can be used to vigorously serve God and others. We want students to learn how to incorporate fitness into their lives, whether they become accomplished athletes or exercise for personal enjoyment.

All students participate in Field Day activities with other Christian schools in southeast Michigan.

Middle school students are expected to be physically active three times a week outside of class. Many students fulfill part of that requirement through extracurricular sports . The middle school curriculum also includes a health unit.