Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (ASIA) North Poplar has been designated a 2013-15 Exemplary School by the Arts Schools Network (ASN).
The designation signifies that the school has successfully completed a self-evaluation in the following areas: strengths, areas for improvement, consistency with school-wide or program purposes, aspirations, and future challenges.
Cindy Schafer, chair of the Abbotsford board of education, said school principal Barbara Carter and staff are to be commended for their hard work and "commitment to providing excellence in arts education."
"In Abbotsford, one of the key aspects of our district strategic plan is to provide families with access to a range of programs and services which will engage and encourage students in their areas of interest and passion," Schafer said.
ASIA North Poplar – located at 32041 Marshall Rd. – teaches the provincial curriculum through arts such as dance, drama, music, visual arts, technological arts, and creative writing.
ASIA’s teachers work in teams, representing the five art specialties, to plan and teach the core curriculum through the arts.
Students also receive direct instruction in all five of the arts.
Each of ASIA’s 412 students (2012-13) is provided with the opportunity to work with an “artist in residence” at least once per year.
ASN is North America’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools.
The Exemplary School designation was created to highlight a commitment to excellence by an ASN member school. It also recognizes efforts by a school to evaluate its purpose, operations, and educational programs.