The Arizona College Prep Middle School jazz band performs at the Chandler Unified Governing Board’s March 26 meeting. The band and several testimonials and examples from students were designed to show the breadth of fine arts opportunities available in the district.
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Student artwork was on display at the Chandler Unified Governing Board’s March 26 meeting. A jazz band performance and several testimonials and examples from students were designed to show the breadth of fine arts opportunities available in the district.
Chandler Unified has showcased its top achievers in different ways throughout the district’s history.
District staff helped to showcase some of this year’s achievers in the fine arts at a March 26 CUSD study session.
Dr. Jessica Edgar, CUSD’s director of curriculum and instruction, updated the board and the public on a few of the changes to district fine arts programs over the past few school years.
Edgar pointed out ways fine arts has increased, especially in recognition, at the high school level. After only 37 students earned 38 Arizona State Seals of Arts Proficiency on their 2020-21 diplomas, there were 147 CUSD graduates who earned 150 such seals in 2023-24.
Edgar pointed out all the staff and volunteer time it takes not only to make elective fine arts classes happen, but also special performances, displays and offsite competitions and other trips.
Edgar’s presentation followed both a performance by an Arizona College Prep Middle School jazz band and several testimonials from fine arts students from around the district.
She pointed out some of performances and displays of student artwork that take place throughout the school year. Those include the upcoming CUSD and Kyrene 2025 Community Artists in School display, available for viewing through April 19 at the Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler.
Edgar reminded everyone that not only is much of the visual art created by district students displayed at the Chandler Center for the Arts annually, much of it is also for sale.
“I’ve spent quite a bit of money myself on some of the fantastic works our students make,” Edgar said.
Watch Edgar’s presentation here.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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