Grades K–12 • Hoboken, New Jersey
ACE (Art and Character Education)
Hoboken Charter School uses art as a tool for social change in this dynamic character education program. With a focus on ethnographic art, as opposed to traditional Eurocentric art history, classroom study is carefully infused with projects that not only foster art education, but also serve the community and greater world. A study of Asian arts led to a school-wide celebration of the Chinese New Year. Middle school arts electives focus on the arts of Indonesia (e.g., puppetry, Sumatran dance, literature of Bali, etc.), followed by a service learning benefit where students perform with an Indonesian masked dancer to raise money for artists displaced by earthquakes in Java. ACE implements a variety of programs, such as It’s All About Me, which uses the creation of art forms to promote positive self-esteem and WIC (Words, Images, Character) whichhas studentsconnect positive character traits in art and literature. First and second graders use creative dramatics to foster confidence, reduce bullying, and promote a better understanding of others. These lessons of art and culture reinforce principles of character education and simultaneously empower the students.