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Larkin VPAA magnet curriculum revised: art, dance, music and theatre strands restructured with AP and dual-credit pathways
Summary
District presenters outlined a first comprehensive curriculum rewrite of Larkin High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPAA) since 1997, adding clearer course sequences, placement and assessment rubrics, AP pathways and dual-credit options.
Jamie Abney Giraldo, fine arts coordinator, Zachary Geller (teacher leader for fine arts) and Dr. Michelle Graham, assistant principal for innovation at Larkin High School, presented a comprehensive curriculum revision for the Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPAA) on Feb. 24.
The presenters said Larkin’s VPAA — which houses art, dance, music and theatre strands — had not had a formal curriculum revision since the program began in 1997. The proposed update aligns course sequences to national core-arts standards, clarifies academy and general-education requirements, adds placement assessments for strand placement, and builds new supports for portfolio development, mock auditions, resume development and college/career readiness. The proposal would phase in the new structure beginning in fall 2026 for incoming freshmen and sophomores; current juniors and seniors would remain in the existing program through graduation.
Nut graf: The curriculum rewrite aims to give VPAA students clearer sequences, differentiated placement and pathways to AP and dual-credit courses (for example, AP Art and AP Music Theory becoming available district-wide as general electives), while estimating annual consumable costs and one-time equipment/furnishing purchases for music classrooms.
Program highlights: Each strand has a specified 1.5-period academy block with additional period(s) for technique or ensemble work. Dance and music strands include multi-level, repeatable technique sequences; music adds five sequential music-theory courses and a dual-credit applied-music private-lesson option with Elgin Community College when facility and scheduling permit. Art students would receive portfolio-focused rotations and dual-credit opportunities with ECC in upper grades. Presenters estimated annual consumables at roughly $109.50 per student on average and an implementation per‑student resource estimate of about $491.35 during roll-out; they said exact dual-credit costs for art and theatre remain under review.
Implementation and PD: Presenters requested limited professional learning (one day of program overview and unit/rubric review) during the 2025–26 school year and ongoing as-needed supports. Vendors for music equipment and furniture were identified via bid awards for percussion, cabinetry and risers.
Ending: The administration clarified the proposal will be returned as separate curriculum proposals per strand for board action at a future meeting so each strand may be considered individually.
