Few schools challenge students to simultaneously pursue excellence in the arts and rigor in academics. Floretta P. Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy was founded to this challenge, and its halls are alive with the results. The academy was established on the belief that artistry and academics fuel each other. It provides young people with the opportunity to pursue both with equal intensity. From music, dance, theater and visual arts to honors courses, dual enrollment and college-level credits, students receive a well-rounded education that sharpens creativity while preparing them for higher education and future careers. They go beyond mastering one discipline, exploring and experimenting, discovering new passions and talents, and earning awards and certifications and even college credits and degrees. “With us, learners across Alabama gain access to opportunities once out of reach, empowering them to excel in ways previously unimaginable and achieve their highest potential,” says Dr. Krista Williams, CEO and Founder. Academic and Artistic Tracks Students at the academy follow an honors track that begins in middle school and continues through high school. Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment allow them to compile college credits before they graduate. Many leave with the Alabama Advanced Honors High School Diploma, while some also complete certificates or associate degrees through local colleges. Enrollment is determined by lottery and is open to students statewide, creating a campus filled with diverse experiences and perspectives. Programs are intentionally designed to intersect. A pianist might step into media arts to develop visual skills. A dancer might take up painting to explore expression in a different way. Theater students sometimes enroll in music theory to find new ways to think about performance. Encouraged to step outside their main focus, students often discover unexpected strengths and chase more than one passion. Programs That Inspire Students at the academy spend their days moving between music, dance, theater and visual arts classes. The music program includes piano, band, strings, orchestra and choir. Students attend practice sessions, masterclasses, and lessons on technique and musicianship. Some practice for hours each day to improve their skills. Dance students study ballet, modern and movement such as the Lester Horton Technique. The classes focus on strength, precision and style, while allowing each student to find their own way of moving. Theater students work on acting, stagecraft and producing. They learn to collaborate and perform for audiences. Visual Arts students can take Fine Arts, which includes painting, watercolor and design, or Media Arts, which covers photography, broadcasting, animation and digital character creation. Students get hands-on experience using tools like Maya and AutoCAD. Core academic classes are also pursued. Piano students also study music theory and history. Orchestra members join chamber music and masterclasses. Media Arts students practice drawing, animation and 3D modeling. The school recently added computer science courses and plans to expand into software engineering, cybersecurity, programming and game design. Engineering programs are also being developed. These courses give students ways to combine technical skills with creative work and explore fields they might not have tried before. Students Setting the Standard Floretta P. Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy has a long history of students excelling in both the arts and academics. In 2025, a student took first place at the Alabama State Superintendent Visual Arts Exhibit, and her work was displayed at the state capitol. Music students have earned awards in competitions such as the Gulf Coast Steinway Piano Competition and the Golden Lyre Music Competition. Several vocalists have been selected to perform in the Alabama All State Choir.
Top Christian School in Tennessee 2025
When an institution becomes a steward of faith-based education, every action carries a deeper sense of responsibility. At Clarksville Christian School (CCS), this purpose is ingrained in the understanding that everything belongs to God—a belief that shapes its mission with humility and reverence for students. Rooted in this conviction, the institution stands as a living expression of faith in action, walking the talk of Christ-centered service while guiding each student as a sacred gift entrusted to its care. CCS offers courses in engineering, biomedical science, AgriTech, and Christian JROTC. It is a certified Cambridge International School providing a globally accepted curriculum, from preschool to high school. From humble beginnings in a church wing 18 years ago, CCS has grown to nearly six hundred students, earning recognition locally and internationally. Partnerships in Greece, Ethiopia and China extend its reach globally without compromising the focus. The approach has always centered on growth in scale and quality while staying faithful to the mission, expanding its ability to serve and support students and families. “We provide young people with the guidance and care they need to grow into the individuals God intended them to become,” says Dr. Brad Moser, president. At CCS, excellence is the benchmark, and high standards guide everything, from staffing and programming to family relationships and community engagement. Over 70 percent of faculty hold advanced degrees, but their value lies in modeling lifelong learning and a love for education fueled by faith. CCS invests in educators to ensure students are shaped by people who live by the values they teach. Partnerships with Project Lead the Way and numerous universities bring college-level classes to campus. Many are taught by faculty who serve as approved adjuncts, enabling students to graduate with advanced coursework or college credit on their transcripts. Students also benefit from enrichment opportunities, including a nationally recognized choral program and a national honor society chapter, emphasizing academic rigor, artistic expression and character formation. CCS has also produced standout student-athletes who have earned athletic scholarships for college. It has also drawn interest from some of the elite Division I universities in the country. “Our strong academics and athletics programs open doors for students to earn significant scholarship dollars at top universities,” says Dr. Andrea Pewitt, vice president.
Lutheran Elementary Schools
Walking into Lutheran Elementary School (LES) of Bay Ridge feels like stepping into a big hug, a place where every child is seen, welcomed and encouraged to grow. Open to families of all faiths, LES is more than a school; it is a community that nurtures care, character and potential in every student. Founded in 1957 by Bethlehem Lutheran Church, LES has carried forward a mission that is both timeless and practical, to teach as Jesus did. That mission translates into preparing children not only to excel academically but to gain acceptance into their chosen high schools and to carry with them a strong foundation for the future. From the earliest days in nursery and pre-K, students enter classrooms designed to spark curiosity and confidence. In the elementary years, each lesson becomes a stepping stone toward independence, reinforced by encouragement and personal support. By fifth grade, LES students transition into junior high earlier than most peers in the community, balancing the freedom to test their independence with the steady guidance that has shaped them from the start. “Students at LES are never just a face in the crowd,” says Michelle Miano, principal. “Every child and every parent is known by name, which builds trust, encourages open communication and helps us understand each student’s unique strengths and challenges.” Small class sizes foster personal connection, typically capped at 16 to 18 students. The scale enables teachers to nurture each child closely, striking a balance between high expectations and the individual support required for them to flourish. It also creates space for families to be genuine partners in the learning journey. Parents join book fairs, chaperone pumpkin patch trips and share cultural traditions during celebrations such as Chinese New Year, moments that weave community, respect and diversity into the school’s fabric. In this close-knit setting, students feel supported and challenged. They are encouraged to discover their strengths and passions early, which lays the groundwork for bigger goals, including high school choices that reflect their ambitions. The school achieves this through a distinctive balance of personal attention and academic rigor. Advanced coursework, such as Algebra One and the Regents exam offered in eighth grade, allows students to master challenging material ahead of schedule. This builds confidence and ensures they enter high school already a step ahead.
Top Private Christian School 2025
Faith should not be compartmentalized but must remain central to every aspect of learning and living,” says Dr. Rodney Clark, Head of School. This foundation of faith is woven into the fabric of the curriculum and culture at Creekside Christian Academy (CCA). Tucked away in Henry County, GA, a short 35minutes drive south from Atlanta, GA, CCA threads biblical principles seamlessly across every subject, grade level and experience. From a child learning to read in first grade to a high school student preparing for college and career, God’s truth serves as the framework through which students make sense of math, science, history and the world itself. This integration is visible in the way Creekside structures its curriculum. In the elementary years, students explore connections between God’s Word and the world around them through stories, projects, and hands-on activities. Teachers nurture curiosity while grounding children in foundational literacy and numeracy skills, using proven methods like Orton-Gillingham to ensure every learner is supported. By the time students transition to middle school, that spirit of exploration matures into deeper self-awareness and critical thinking. Here, biblical applications meet real-world challenges, while extracurricular opportunities in athletics, fine arts, robotics and leadership provide students with outlets to discover their strengths. High school at Creekside takes this progression further, emphasizing future-readiness alongside spiritual maturity. Advanced coursework, dual enrollment and electives in STEAM, business, and the arts challenge students academically. At the same time, programs such as FBLA, FLEX and internships equip them with entrepreneurial skills and leadership experience. For Creekside graduates, success is defined by using their knowledge in service to others and living lives that reflect God’s values. This commitment to each student’s growth begins from the very first day. The academy recognizes that every child learns differently and creates programs that honor those differences. From early grades to high school, students engage through traditional lessons, hands-on exploration and technology-enhanced learning. The Learning Solutions Center provides personalized support to students who need extra guidance and those seeking to develop their God-given talents. By combining academic growth with spiritual foundation, Creekside helps each child flourish intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
Christian Academy
At Park Row Christian Academy (PRCA), education goes beyond academics to shape well-rounded, compassionate, and confident children. With a long history of serving families in Central Arlington, the school combines personalized learning, strong values, and a supportive environment to prepare students for success in academics and in life. The school was founded in 1968 as a “Mother’s Day Out” preschool, and has grown into an accredited K-6 school serving nearly 230 students in Central Arlington. PRCA is accredited by the National Christian School Association and the Southern Association of Christian Schools, reflecting its commitment to high-quality education. Focused on values-based, individualized instruction, the school nurtures children in a home-like environment that encourages compassion, teamwork, academic success, and a lifelong love of learning. PRCA combines classical teaching methodologies with online learning to provide a customized experience that meets the diverse needs of students with different learning styles. Beyond academics, children at PRCA are guided to develop strong character, empathy, and social skills, equipping them to thrive in various environments and interact positively with others. From infants in the attached preschool to sixth-grade students, PRCA emphasizes the whole child’s growth. Its STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) engages students in hands-on, project-based learning that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Guided by the school’s “Nifty 50” principles, children practice respect, responsibility, cooperation, and other essential life skills, building confidence and leadership abilities.
Private Colleges and Universities
Navigating the Future of Education: A Comprehensive Overview of Trends, Challenges, and Best Practices
Dr. Claude Toland, Director of Education, Universal Technical Institute
Art and Design Colleges
Serving Up Change: The Evolution of a School Nutrition Leader
Darcy Stueber, Director of Nutrition Services, Mankato Area Public Schools
Art and Design Colleges
Education Meets Enterprise: Building the Business of Betterment
Matt McCaskey, Director, Enterprise Application Development, Milton Hershey School
High Schools
Faith-Based Counseling Supporting Holistic Student Growth
Raina Foote, Director of Counseling, Rejoice Christian School
Art and Design Colleges
Shaping Futures through Leadership, Purpose and Trust
Nancy Patterson, Executive Director of Schools, Killeen ISD
IN MY OPINION
School Services
Planning for Growth from Blueprints to Bayous
Funke Oyesanya Jacob, Director of Facilities Planning and Projects, University of Houston-Downtown
LAST WORD
Hospitality and Service Industry Training
Beyond the Lunch Line: Transforming School Meals for Impact
Orlando Orozco, Child Nutrition Director, Moorpark Unified School District
IN FOCUS
Pedagogical Approaches in Visual and Performing Arts Education
The creative economy is transforming industries, demanding hybrid professionals skilled in collaboration, technology, and storytelling, while educational models evolve to foster innovation and lifelong learning.
The Distinctive Contribution of Christian Schools in a Pluralistic Education System
Christian education combines faith, character development, and autonomy, emphasizing advocacy and accountability to navigate public policy and uphold educational integrity within a diverse landscape.
EDITORIAL
Faith, Creativity and the Changing Face of Education
In Christian academies, faith and scholarship have been the two pillars that guide a student’s growth. These schools are reimagining what it means to learn, weaving moral inquiry and critical thought into every subject. The goal is not merely to prepare students for exams but to help them understand the larger world through the lens of compassion, service and conviction.
These schools are cultivating tight-knit communities where learning feels deeply personal. Teachers play the dual role of educators and mentors, ensuring that every academic pursuit is underscored by empathy and ethical awareness. The same philosophy resonates through Lutheran elementary schools, where early education is as much about building moral foundations as it is about sparking intellectual curiosity.
Meanwhile, performing arts academies are redefining creative education with a similar depth of purpose. By grounding courses in the expressive freedom of music, theater, and dance, they are shaping a new kind of learner—one who values discipline as much as imagination.
In this edition of Education Insider, we spotlight institutions that are leading the education industry away from transactional learning and toward transformation. The edition features Floretta P. Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Alabama’s only public school dedicated to a conservatory-style education in the arts.
We have also curated thought leadership articles from industry experts, including Dr. Claude Toland, Director of Education at Universal Technical Institute and Matt McCaskey, Director, Enterprise Application Development at Milton Hershey School.
We hope this edition of Education Insider helps you find the right partner for your educational requirements.
