Programs for ABC Schools

Programs for ABC Schools

ABC Certified Schools are the keystone program of ABC Institute. As Ray Doughty explained (2007), the ABC Model Sites program funded schools to serve as laboratories for development of unique approaches to art education and arts integration.

As leaders, ABC Schools make exceptional efforts and deserve exceptional assistance and support. The ABC Institute staff are responsible to provide programs and services to ABC Certified Schools and schools in the development process.

Such services have included but are not limited to:

  • Providing academic and intellectual resources, such as books, white papers, etc.
  • Informing practitioners on state and national resources and issues
  • Representing arts education communities in educational policy arenas
  • Facilitating professional learning opportunities
  • Coaching on leadership, advocacy, and collaborative strategic planning
  • Providing individual assistance and guidance to schools

Cloud-Based Access

In recent years, ABC Institute has invested in cloud-based technology to increase and improve its ABC Certified Schools Program services.

ABC Certified Schools and schools in the development process are provided a virtual networking center through ABC Certified Schools Portal.

This virtual networking center:

  • allows all school faculty and staff to access ABC resources and opportunities
  • provides social media-style communication tools in a secure and safe environment
  • provides access to ABC Certified Schools-only events.

ABC Institute provides ABC Certified Schools with a Google account for cloud-based storage of historical artifacts, easily accessible templates, and real-time collaboration with ABC staff.

Visit the Portal

Provide Opportunities to Discuss Best Practices

ABC Schools

ABC Schools have been convening on a regular basis since 1992, originally titled as a Model Site Seminar (2007). These seminars brought the leadership of the model sites together for a day tour of the host school, shared curriculum, staffing and scheduling ideas, and highlighted guest presenters on strategic partnerships, such as artists-in-school residencies.

Elementary School Host Sites

Secondary School Host Sites

Peer-to-Peer Network

The purpose of the Peer-to-Peer network is to provide an opportunity for administrators of ABC (Arts in Basic Curriculum) and DAP (Distinguished Arts Program) sites to discuss and share best practices in order to provide quality arts programming.

The Peer-to-Peer network often coincides with Palmetto State Art Education’s Joint Arts Administrator’s Institute meetings.  This provides the chance for principals, administrators, and arts coordinators to come together and share successes, challenges, and opportunities in arts education.

Original Peer-to-Peer Arts Schools Task Force

Rock Hill, SC

Linda Crute

Northside Elementary School of the Arts

Columbia, SC

Richard Moore

Logan Elementary School, and ABC Steering Committee member

Florence, SC

Jackie Shuler

South Florence High School

Hilton Head, SC

Gretchen Keefner

Hilton Head School of the Arts

Hilton Head, SC

Jayne Ellicott

Hilton Head School of the Arts

Charleston, SC

Barry Goldsmith

Former principal and Charleston County Arts Coordinator, ABC Steering Committee member

Columbia, SC

Marisa Vickers

Hand Middle School

ABC Institute is an Arts Grow SC collective network partner. ABC Institute is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.


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