Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Literary and Fine Arts School
School Overview
Mission
The mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School is to provide all students with a dynamic educational experience that focuses on the fine and performing arts and emphasizes literature and writing.
Vision
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., every King Arts student will become a lifelong learner who is an empathetic member of society, committed to social justice and connected to the world and others through the arts.
Diversity Policy
Promoting and Celebrating Student Diversity at King Arts School
Policy Statement:
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., every King Arts student will become a lifelong learner who is an empathetic member of society, committed to social justice and connected to the world and others through the arts. King Arts School is committed to fostering this vision through a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment that respects and values the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all students. We recognize that diversity—whether in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, language, ability, or cultural heritage—enriches the educational experience and prepares our students to thrive in a global society.
This policy affirms our commitment to ensuring that every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Diversity is not just a reflection of who we are, but also a driving force for academic excellence, creative expression, and social responsibility.
Learn more about King Arts
A Fine Arts Focused Curriculum...
- Unlocks the door to learning and allows students to view the world through the eyes of an artist
- Cultivates the skills of collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership
- Presents students with opportunities to explore big ideas and essential questions
- Uses the Fine Arts as a tool for differentiated instruction and assessment for all students
- Inspires increased student academic achievement and engagement
A Curriculum That Emphasizes Literature and Writing...
- Supports student access to literary works from diverse social, cultural, and historical contexts
- Extends writing and publishing opportunities beyond the classroom
- Encourages writing through literature
- Enriches the classroom experience with regular author experience opportunities
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School, known fondly as “King Arts”, is a K-8 magnet school serving the Evanston/Skokie District 65 community. King Arts students reside in both the Evanston and the Skokie Village attendance area.
The Literary and Fine Arts focus of King Arts was formally adopted in 2011 by the District 65 School Board as a result of its strategic planning process. While King Arts follows the standard District 65 curriculum, there is a special emphasis on arts integration across the curriculum. This literary and fine arts focus is used to enhance the learning process and provide students additional opportunities to explore their interests and self-expression through the arts. In addition, community partnerships with local art organizations and artists in residence provide further opportunities for collaboration and arts integration throughout the curriculum. The evidence of this arts focus is visible and strong within the school community and there are exciting ways for each and every student to deepen his or her learning and creativity through the arts.
The K-8 experience at King Arts provides a continuous and tight knit educational journey for students. Strong bonds are formed not only with fellow students, but with educators who are able to collaborate and consult on the needs of each student as they change and grow. At King Arts, the elementary grades (K-5) are housed on the first floor of the building and the middle school grades (5-8) are on the second floor. There is ample room for interconnection between the elementary and middle school through the arts, athletics and extracurricular activities. Teamwork and peer learning is evident, not only among teachers, but also among students.
A strong network of social services and special needs support exists at King Arts. We strive to focus on each child as an individual and to tailor support services around individual needs. This commitment is particularly evident in our RISE Program.
In addition to the aspects mentioned above and the strong commitment to continue the legacy of its namesake, King Arts highly encourages involved families. It is the creativity, energy and commitment of families and educators working together which makes it such a special place for our students.
Fine Arts Focus
King Arts has created a dynamic curriculum by integrating the following four pillars into its instructional program: Arts-Integrated Learning; Enhanced Fine Arts Learning; Performance, Publication and Enhanced Literacy, and Inclusion. This arts emphasis is in addition to meeting the District 65 curricular standards.
Learn more about the Four Pillars below and how they are integrated into the curriculum, and visit the Fine Arts and Library sections of our website to learn more about the in-school and extra-curricular arts and literary opportunities for our students, as well as the talented educators who lead them.
IntegratedArts Integrated Learning: Research shows that learning about and through the arts improves comprehension, retention, and student interest. King Arts will ensure that the arts are integrated into core content areas as well as taught as independent subjects. Core content teachers will collaborate with Fine Arts teachers to create arts integrated units at every grade level.
EnhancedEnhanced Fine Arts Learning: At King Arts, students experience more and deeper exposure to the arts than in other District 65 schools:
- In grades K-4, students will receive additional weekly arts classes when compared to other District 65 schools.
- In grades 6-8, students will have the option of focusing their study within the following areas: dance, drama, media arts, music, and visual art.
- Seminar classes with a specialized focus will be offered throughout the school year within the middle school arts curriculum.
- Long-term Fine Arts residencies and partnerships with professional arts organizations and universities.
PerformancePerformance, Publication, and Enhanced Literacy: The school sponsors and supports a series of unique and creative events and publications which focus on the literary arts and gives students many opportunities to participate and develop and display their talents:
- Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration showcasing the performing arts and service learning projects
- Literary and Fine Arts Journal to be published annually
- Bi-annual musical including every 7th and 8th grade student
- Poetry slam and spoken word performance
- School Newspaper
- All-School Read events that include cross-grade interaction
- After school Debate Team
- Stories Alive! drama ensemble enacting student-written stories
- Songwriting and composition
- Playwriting and story adaptation
InclusionInclusion: King Arts has a long history of providing an inclusive environment for students with special needs. The school's culture fosters positive, meaningful, and productive opportunities for inclusion, especially through the vehicle of drama, dance, music and the many school performances. An Arts focus enhances all students' educational experiences and provides many opportunities for full inclusion in ways other models cannot.
The entire King Arts community has many opportunities to participate in and support the Literary and Fine Arts at the school, whether it be as artist in residence, helping with one of the musical, fine arts or dramatic performances and activities, or attending the wonderful productions and displays of our students work. For many, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration, which showcases the performing arts and service learning projects, is the highlight of the school year!