At Lesley Ellis School, a progressive preschool through eighth-grade independent school in Arlington, MA, the arts are not an add-on, they are a central part of how students learn, think, and express themselves. Within our close-knit community and small class sizes, students receive personalized guidance from dedicated arts educators and visiting professional artists, giving them the time, space, and encouragement to explore their creativity with confidence.

Through our signature Arts Block, electives, and artist-in-residence programs, students engage in a rich range of creative disciplines including film, animation, poetry, ceramics, dance, visual art, and music composition. This hands-on, studio-based learning invites students to experiment, collaborate, and take creative risks while developing important skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-expression.

As part of our inclusive independent school community, student artwork and performances are regularly shared and celebrated across the school. Exhibitions, performances, and collaborative projects honor student voice and creativity while reinforcing a core belief of a Lesley Ellis education: that the arts cultivate confidence, curiosity, and compassion, empowering students to see themselves as creative thinkers, makers, and contributors to the world around them.