Arts and Music Education Is Vital for the Growth of All Public School Students
By Myrna Castrejón, President & CEO, California Charter Schools Association
As Arts Education Month comes to a close, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the importance and impact of arts and music in California’s public school system. Throughout March, schools across the state celebrated creativity and expression, recognizing the invaluable contributions the arts and music make in shaping well-rounded individuals and nurturing the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and leaders.
So much of our measurement of a school’s quality is based on academic performance, mainly narrowly focused on math, science, and language arts. We often lose sight of the creativity that arts and music provide and the pathways for students to explore their imaginations, express their emotions, and discover their unique voices. In the words of renowned artist Pablo Picasso, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Moreover, arts and music education promotes emotional well-being and social development. In an era marked by increasing rates of stress, anxiety, and social isolation among young people, the arts provide a refuge. In this safe space, students can explore their feelings, process their experiences, and connect with others more deeply; it is often said that the ‘safest’ spaces in a high school are the band room, the theater department, and the choir practice room. There’s a reason for that. Breathing as one, staying attuned to and responding to each other, and making music or art help create a strong sense of belonging. Through a poignant piece of visual art or a soul-stirring musical performance, students learn to communicate, empathize with, and make meaning of the world around them.
Music has been a lifeline for me throughout my life, especially right after I immigrated to the US and found my voice (literally) and my place in this country. Watching my son pick the trombone in 5th grade and see not just his musical passions blossom but also his leadership skills, executive function, ability to teach and mentor others, and sense of self find deep and meaningful expression through music was a privilege. When we moved back to the LA area from Sacramento, we intentionally picked a feeder pattern where music was a priority, and we were blessed to find a community with talented and dedicated music educators in La Crescenta. When my son gave up every single summer in high school to attend summer school just so he could make room for more music electives during the school year, I knew this would be a lifelong passion. Indeed, it took him to a scholarship at UCLA as a music performance major.
Research has shown that students engaged in arts-rich curricula demonstrate higher levels of critical thinking, problem-solving, and academic motivation. Engaging in musical activities, for instance, strengthens neural pathways associated with memory, attention, and language processing — skills that are transferable to all areas of learning. Similarly, visual arts education stimulates the development of spatial reasoning, attention to detail, and visual literacy — skills increasingly valued in an information-driven society.
Every time I visit one of our arts-focused charter schools, I am in awe of the sophistication and artistic maturity our students put on stage — whether it’s the Renaissance Arts string programs where every student learns to play an instrument or dance programs like Gabriella Charter’s amazing dance for all programs in LA, or the legendary Natomas Charter in Sacramento, and the Oakland School of the Arts in the Bay Area, I am witness to the power of arts and music education in transforming lives. I see it in the students’ faces as they perform, try out a new instrument, or play with the LA Phil.
At our annual conference, held earlier this month, we integrated our sessions with dance performances from students at Pasadena Rosebud Academy and the School of Arts and Enterprise in Pomona and a performance by student violinists from Pacoima Charter School. These charter public schools, among many others, provide valuable opportunities to grow in the arts and allow students to express their talents.
The flexibility and autonomy of California’s charter public schools have presented students with opportunities to fully integrate the arts, music, and dance across the curriculum, providing pathways for students to build more robust engagement at school and allowing them to thrive.
As we celebrate Arts Education Month in California, we can reaffirm our commitment to providing every public school student with access to high-quality arts and music education and supporting the transformative power of the arts in shaping minds, hearts, and futures. Last year’s statewide proposition added sorely needed funds to support arts instruction, and schools across the state are working to expand their programs. I hope this is a watershed moment for California’s public schools where arts for all become a reality. We honor the dedicated educators, administrators, and advocates who champion arts and music education, ensuring every student can unleash their creative potential. On a personal note, I want to thank music educators Pat Cruz, Carlos Flores, Evelyn Mariani, and Harold Lickey, who helped me find a musical voice, and music educators Angie Baca, Rod Yonkers, and Matthew Schick, who helped my son find his.
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For more information about charter public schools in your area, including those that specialize in arts and music education, visit https://www.ccsa.org/find-a-school.
