Early 2014, the non-profit Aspen Institute and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) were looking for a performing arts-focused Detroit school to hold an Arts Strike—an event where celebrated artists share the unique power of the arts with educators, students and others empower, enrich and educate. The choice was obvious: Spain Elementary-Middle School.
Not only has the school worked closely with the DSO, it is near Orchestra Hall, and has been offering students a comprehensive performing arts curriculum combined with top-notch academics for more than 40 years. The Arts Strike on April 4, 2014, brought legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer and Director of the Aspen Institute Arts Program, Damian Woetzel to Spain. Yo-Yo Ma, Woetzel, and other acclaimed artists and musicians from around the world, performed for, and collaborated with Spain students, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime artistic experience.
The event was undoubtedly extraordinary. But, Spain students are used to “extraordinary.” “Students in Tune with Excellence” “What makes Spain special is our academic excellence,” says Principal Ronald Alexander. “We have high standards for our children, and they reach for that.”
But to be a well-rounded student, Alexander passionately believes that students should experience and master a wide array of extra-curricular activities, including a special emphasis on music and the performing arts, for which the school is renowned. “Music is the universal language,” said Alexander, a former music teacher who sings in his church choir and plays the piano and a variety of instruments. “Music brings children alive,” said Alexander, who has been principal of the Midtown school for 18 years. “It allows them to express themselves.
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When (our teachers) find ways to make meaningful connections to the academics, as well as to music, our children begin to blossom, they begin to grow… We want our students to be ‘in tune with excellence.’ That’s our motto.” Being in tune with excellence is easy for DaAna Gardner, 13. She’s a straight-A student who likes playing basketball, is an advanced violinist and who plays the keyboard, sings and dances. “Music is my thing,” she said, taking a break from the perfectly perpendicular high steps she was doing with her dance class in the school’s ballet studio. “I love anything to do with music. When I’m angry, it calms me down.” “That’s the case with so many students,” Alexander said. For some of them, electives are the connection that keeps them excited about coming to school and learning.
Many Spain students play more than one instrument and have had the opportunity to travel the world with the school’s musical groups. “When I play music, I’m so happy inside,” said Amber Colvin, a 4.0 student who plays the clarinet, flute, piano and violin. But Spain also offers a wide array of STEM courses for students who are not musically inclined. Other electives and course offerings include chess, academic games, Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP); computer applications and an abundance of sports. Culture of respect Elective courses, like debate, also help students raise their achievement in core subjects and bring about passion in students, said Ivy Bailey, a Resource Room teacher who volunteered to teach the class. “I felt that debate was a way to give them an opportunity to take criticism constructively,” she said. “Students are also learning there is a way to argue formally.”
The philosophy of learning to “argue formally” fits in with Spain’s culture of respect. Mr. Alexander often walks up to groups of students in the hall and holds impromptu “family meetings,” talking to students about their schoolwork, their families and taking the opportunity to coach them on tucking in their shirts and standing up straight. “I love my students,” he said, adding that they are his passion and the school is like a family. And as with any family, the head of the household sets the tone. Something you didn’t know: The school’s performing arts wing—which houses the dance room/ballet studio, chorus room, and the high-tech, acoustically designed auditorium is named after former Assistant Superintendent Zodie A.
Johnson, who was a supporter of the arts. When then-Spain teacher Victoria Miller approached her with the idea to infuse Spain with a performing arts curriculum, legend has it Johnson exclaimed: “Let the baby be born.”
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