About the Academy

  • Gaston County Schools is pleased to introduce the Performing Arts Academy @ Pinewood Elementary School.  

    The school choice program takes advantage of Pinewood’s prestigious designation as a North Carolina A+ School, which is a program of the N.C. Arts Council, and its commitment to integrating the arts across the curriculum.  In everything that students learn and do (from reading books and exploring science and technology to solving math problems and making history come alive), the arts have a presence.

    Research indicates that arts education is linked to positive academic and social outcomes, increased civic engagement, and higher academic achievement.  Further, students who are engaged in the arts have higher degrees of empathy, acceptance, and creativity and demonstrate stronger critical thinking skills.  Students who are a part of an arts curriculum take what they learn with them – this benefits them later in school and beyond graduation.  Once students have an understanding of and appreciation for the arts, it remains in them, and they benefit from it for the rest of their life.

    Students from outside the Pinewood attendance area who will be in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year may apply for this program.  A lottery process will be used to determine the 50 kindergarten students who will attend (from outside the Pinewood attendance area).  Please note that applications will be accepted from students who will be in grades 1-5; however, a limited number of seats are available in grades 1-5.

    You can learn more about the Performing Arts Academy @ Pinewood Elementary School by reviewing the resources on this webpage. If you have questions or need additional information, please send us an email: schoolchoice@gaston.k12.nc.us.

     

    Performing Arts Academy at Pinewood Elementary

Have Questions?

  • If you have questions or need additional information, please send us an email: schoolchoice@gaston.k12.nc.us.

    The deadline to apply for one of our 22 school choice options was Friday, March 8 at 5:00 p.m.