Academics
The arts distinguish education at Nevada City School of the Arts. Our program is interdisciplinary at its core, exploring the ground where science, history, literature, and art meet. NCSA provides a rigorous academic curriculum in which students have the opportunity to create art, understand its cultural and historical context, and respond to, and make critical judgments about, art. In this setting two tenets are important: art is a lens through which we see the world, and the production of art has inherent value. The School of the Arts is not an "art school" in the sense that it does not solely produce or attract "artists." There are many students here who do not identify themselves as "artists" or even as "artistic," but who are nonetheless expressing themselves through the arts, and comprehend their academic studies through artistic expression, be it story, dance, painting, fiber arts, martial arts or musical composition.
 
Music
The music program at NCSA, designed to enrich our core academics, is based on the philosophy and practice of Orff Schulwerk, a dynamic approach to music education developed by the composer Carl Orff and his colleague, Gunild Keetman. This approach begins with the premise that every child is innately musical and naturally loves to play, sing and dance.
 
Arts
Main Lesson Art is integrated with the academic curriculum for each grade level. These art lessons support, enhance, and bring greater depth to the students’ studies through tactile hands‑on experiences and in‑depth studies of art as it relates to the area of study.