Model Schools in the Arts

Program Overview

The New Jersey Model School in the Arts Project is a recognition program. The purpose is to determine attributes shared by model schools and establish a network of schools to serve as mentors for others.

The New Jersey Model Schools in the Arts Project is a direct result of the New Jersey Arts Education Census Project report Within Our Power: The Progress, Plight and Promise of Arts Education for Every Child. The report, released in September 2007, included in its recommendations the need to analyze and research schools that scored in the highest percentage on the survey. Those findings would then be used to mentor schools needing program improvement.

The schools selected to be part of this project are elementary and secondary schools from New Jersey. The definition of a model in this project is a school that scored in the top 10% of the New Jersey Arts Education Census Project and a school that is teaching all four arts disciplines: dance, music, theatre and the visual arts.

Small research teams visit schools in February/March. During this visit a Model Schools in the Arts rubric is completed. The rubric includes the stated criteria, indicators of what to look for and space to report on the team’s findings for each school. Participating schools receive feedback from the team on areas of strength as well as areas that might need improvement.

In June, schools will be invited to a recognition event where they will be honored for their participation in the project. This will also mark the start of the mentoring process.

Designated schools must allow representatives from other schools to visit and observe and must be willing to present at state meetings and conferences. Information about the designated schools will be located on a website.

The Model Schools in the Arts designation is three years.

Class of 2014

Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts (Elementary)


Class of 2013 

Bergen County Academies

Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts

Terence C. Reilly, School No. 7

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Paramus High School


Class of 2011

Arts High School

Egg Harbor Township High School

Stafford Intermediate School


Class of 2010

Hillside Elementary School

Glenfield Middle School

Glen Rock Middle School

Princeton High School

Rahway High School

Red Bank Regional High School


Class of 2009

Bridgeton High School

Clifton High School

Columbia High School

East Brunswick High School

Fort Lee High School

Franklin High School

Franklin Middle School

Franklin Park School

Howell High School

Montclair High School

Sampson G. Smith School

Washington Township High School

Woodrow Wilson School