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Here at MS 53, we educate the whole child. Our performing arts program introduces students to historical and language based content while allowing them to explore their sense of self. Our program impacts our students' cognitive growth by increasing cultural awareness, problem solving abilities, recognition of visual language, and higher order thinking skills. Every Wednesday, for approximately two hours, our students participate in one of the following performing arts programs: Drumline, Martial Arts, Dance, Step, Visual Arts, Music, Capoeira, and Steel Pan.
One of our most esteemed programs, Life Changing Music (LCM), is a program that allows students to explore their creativity through songwriting as well as music and video production. As featured on the Fox 5 News' "Influential New Yorkers" segment, we take pride in our students and staff having produced several CD's and music videos, including "SWAGGER," "53-Swag," and Motivate" featuring Dres of Black Sheep. The LCM program has dramatically increased self esteem and collaboration among students as they express themselves through positive musical messages.
Additionally, our Urban Arts partnership offers rigorous residency programs in a wide range of art forms, taught by expert teaching artists. All programs use a project based approach for students to develop pre-professional skills and key vocabulary while producing high quality, original artworks. Students also develop an increased awareness of career opportunities in the arts.