Visual Art
Our art program embraces Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB). This approach to teaching art emphasizes student-centered learning and self-directed exploration. TAB recognizes that each student has unique interests, skills, and learning styles and encourages them to take ownership of their artistic learning by providing opportunities to choose what they want to create, how they want to create it, and what materials and techniques they want to use.
In our art studio, we prioritize the creative journey of students rather than the appearance of their final artwork. This approach shifts the focus to the thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving that happen during the creation process. By giving students the freedom to make choices—like selecting materials, experimenting with techniques, or finding their unique approach to a project—they develop critical and creative thinking skills that extend beyond art and into all aspects of their lives.
This emphasis on process nurtures essential life skills such as independence, resilience, and adaptability. It empowers students to take risks, explore their ideas, and express themselves authentically. While the finished artworks may not look uniform or “cookie-cutter,” they represent the individuality, effort, and growth of each young artist. By fostering a classroom environment where experimentation and personal expression are celebrated, we hope to inspire students to view art as a dynamic and meaningful way to communicate their ideas and experiences.
We encourage our Janney families to inspire creativity at home by designating a space for art making , providing art materials, displaying artwork, talking with kids about their art, visiting galleries & museums.
The Janney Band
The Band performs several times during the school year including at the winter and spring concerts and the Janney Musical. Beginning and continuing musicians are welcome! Our specialists give beginning group instruction on the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and drums. Orchestral string players who are taking private lessons are also welcome. If you are just beginning, we would be happy to chat with you about your choice of instruments. (Younger students might begin with the trumpet or clarinet, then, as they grow in size, may transition to a larger instrument.) Morning group lessons begin in the music room in September. By mid-September, full band rehearsals start. Ideally, the students will attend three or more of the seven-ish practice sessions each week (five mornings and two after school.) Afternoon days are determined in the Fall. Janney has a limited number of instruments available for rent on a first come-first served basis. Instruments can also be purchased or rented from local music stores. (Buying new or used instruments online is NOT recommended. A long-unused instrument, no matter its quality, usually needs overhauling to be brought up to snuff.) Ideally, students would own an instrument after the first year of band. For more information, contact Sterling Scroggins at sscrogg@american.edu
Glee Club
The Janney Glee Club consists of students from third, fourth and fifth grade. They perform several times throughout the year at Janney events and during Janney’s Winter and Spring concerts. Several years in a row, Glee Club has performed the national anthem at American University before a basketball game for their annual Elementary Day. Glee Club is directed by David Ifill, Janney’s music teacher.
Musical
In 2025, students will perform Frozen Kids
Each winter, 5th graders are invited to audition for the musical. Any child auditioning for the musical can take part, and there are also opportunities for students to be involved in building the set and in the stage crew. The musical is directed by Janney staff with assistance from parent volunteers.
There are also plenty of opportunities for parents to be involved in production, costumes, design and production of the program, stage design and building, and helping out with rehearsals. For more information or to volunteer, please contact musical@janneyschool.org.