Author: Andie Freeman
In 1995, the Kenan Institute for the Arts, in Winston-Salem, launched a program to integrate the arts in every aspect of instruction in 25 urban, suburban, and rural pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade schools. Immediately, the results were profoundly positive. Over the following three decades, A+ Schools of North Carolina has revolutionized education through the arts, helping educators create dynamic, engaging learning environments.
Leaders across the A+ network developed the Eight A+ Essentials to support and guide schools in this innovative model. The A+ Essentials make up the foundational framework that continues to shape each school’s unique and creative culture. In addition to the arts, the other essential A+ ingredients are curriculum, experiential learning, enriched assessment, multiple learning pathways, collaboration, climate, and infrastructure.
The program expanded, and in 2003, it transitioned from the Kenan Institute of the Arts to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where it flourished for seven years. In 2010, the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, became the home of the A+ Schools of North Carolina, where it remains today. Students and educators across the network thrived in an environment of creativity, collaboration, and enthusiasm for learning and the A+ schools movement continued to grow.
As other states noticed the success of this whole-school transformation model, A+ expanded to schools in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. This led to the creation of the National A+ Schools Consortium, advancing the ideals of A+ on a national level and supporting schools in sharing best practices. Today, the consortium also includes pilot schools in states and countries without full A+ networks: Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Switzerland, and South Africa. A new statewide A+ network in Missouri is being developed.
Research shows the value of A+ practices and philosophy. A+ schools foster collaborative classrooms where students develop critical thinking skills and a love for learning. Arts integration and hands-on activities boost student engagement, improve learning retention, and enhance student achievement.
In a time when teacher retention is challenging, A+ schools report strong job satisfaction and greater teacher retention. A study by N.C. State University’s Friday Institute for Educational Innovation found that A+ teachers feel supported, empowered to be creative, and fulfilled in their work. The collaborative environment not only benefits teachers but also leads to deeper learning and greater student success.
A hallmark of the A+ model is its commitment to whole-school professional development, with experienced educators leading hands-on, research-based training. Schools accepted into the A+ network receive ongoing resources and support, ensuring sustainable change. In North Carolina, new schools join the network each year through a selective application process.
As we celebrate 30 years of impact, we invite you to join us in honoring the visionaries behind this movement. Each month beginning in August, we’ll spotlight a key figure who helped shape A+ Schools of North Carolina.
Congratulations to A+ Schools of North Carolina on three decades of innovation and inspiration. Here’s to a bright future!