Visual and Performing Arts
At Charter Oak Unified School District, we believe that artistic expression is as essential to a well-rounded education. That’s why we offer robust visual and performing arts programs in music, dance, theater and visual art for students in grades K–12.
Why the Arts Matter
Stronger Academics: Research shows that students engaged in the arts earn higher GPAs and standardized test scores and have lower drop-out rates, regardless of socio-economic background.
Whole-Child Development: Arts education builds critical thinking, collaboration and confidence—skills that translate to every classroom and beyond.
Beyond the Classroom: Global Performance Opportunities
“All the world is a stage” is more than a motto; it’s a reality for COUSD students. Through our fundraiser-supported travel programs, performers have taken their talents across the globe:
- Band in Honolulu, Hawai‘i
- Choir at Carnegie Hall (New York) and in Vienna, Austria
- Theater in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Next up: Barcelona, Spain
These experiences let students immerse themselves in different cultures, refine their craft and create lifelong memories!
Celebrating Excellence
COUSD’s arts teams consistently earn top honors:
Charter Oak High School Marching Regiment
• CSBC 2A Division Champions
• CSBC All-State, 9th Place Finalists
High School Musical Theater
• Repeat Jerry Herman Award Winners
• John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) Winners
Royal Oak Middle School Drama
• 4th Place, Drama Teachers Association of Southern California Competition
• CSBC 2A Division Champions
• CSBC All-State, 9th Place Finalists
High School Musical Theater
• Repeat Jerry Herman Award Winners
• John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) Winners
Royal Oak Middle School Drama
• 4th Place, Drama Teachers Association of Southern California Competition
Join the COUSD Arts Family
Whether you’re a storyteller, a musician, a dancer or a painter, you’ll find a home—and a stage—here. Explore how Charter Oak Unified’s Visual & Performing Arts program can ignite your passion, expand your horizons and propel you toward future success. Click the buttons to learn more about our upper grade choir and theater programs!
Proposition 28—Arts and Music in Schools Funding
The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) initiative provides additional funding for arts education in California public schools.
On November 8, 2022, California voters approved Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. The measure required the state to establish a new, ongoing program supporting arts instruction in schools beginning in 2023–24.
Learn more by clicking on the report below.