Over 200 Katy Students Commit to Continue Fine Arts in College

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

June 18, 2024

By Natalie Cook Clark

Katy ISD announces that more than 200 fine arts students have committed to continue their fine arts education after graduation.

Seven Lakes High School Fine Arts signees.

Katy ISD students are enjoying summer break, but before the academic year ended over 200 graduating seniors committed to continuing their fine arts education at their high school signing days.

“These aspiring fine arts students are a testament that their hard work and creativity in the arts does pay off,” says Damon Archer, Executive Director of Fine Arts. “I would also like to applaud the fine arts teachers who provided a supportive learning environment and inspire these students to continue honing their skills at the next level.”

These students were enrolled in one or more of the District’s fine arts disciplines – art, band, choir, dance, orchestra and theater.

Research continues to show that students exposed to arts instruction display strong academic achievement in other areas. Other benefits of an arts education include improved fine motor skills, creativity and cognition.

Katy ISD offers students a variety of fine arts including art, dance, music, and theatre. Though students start their fine arts journey starting in kindergarden when they are exposed to music and art.

According to the Katy ISD website, fine arts disciplines follow four curriculum standards. These are Perception, Creative Expression and Performance, Historical and Cultural Heritage, and Critical Response and Evaluation. Each curriculum is set by grade level and ensures proper “layering” of skills that follow the students’ development in their chosen fine arts field.

Katy ISD follows Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all their fine arts that is required by the state of Texas.