Case Study: College Park Elementary School
How College Park Made Art a Joyful Part of Learning
Overview
Since 2022, College Park Elementary School in San Mateo, California, has been bringing vibrant, standards-based visual arts education into every classroom through its partnership with Art in Action.
Under the leadership of Principal Estonina, the school adopted a program that not only excites students, but also engages families and supports teachers with a clear, differentiated curriculum. By making art an essential part of learning, College Park has built a culture of joy, confidence, and creativity that reaches beyond the classroom walls.
The Challenge
When Principal Estonina joined College Park, she recognized the need for a comprehensive, consistent art program that could:
Be easily integrated across grades K–5
Enhance social-emotional learning (SEL) through creative exploration and self-expression
Support teachers with ready-to-use, low-prep materials
Reflect the school’s cultural diversity through inclusive artist representation and global perspectives
The goal was to create an equitable art experience that would enrich every student’s education—regardless of grade level or prior art experience—and make creativity a joyful part of daily learning.
The Solution
Through Art in Action, College Park Elementary implemented a visual arts program that provides structure, inspiration, and flexibility for both teachers and volunteers.
The partnership offered:
🎨 Grade-Level Curriculum
Age-appropriate lesson plans that build skills progressively from kindergarten through fifth grade.
🖼️ Dynamic Visual Aids and Hands-On Projects
Engaging projects—including 3D art and multimedia work—that invite exploration and foster creative confidence.
📚 Teacher-Friendly Resources
Easy-to-follow digital and print guides, online training, and visual examples that minimize prep time and make art instruction accessible to all educators.
👨👩👧 Family & Community Engagement
Opportunities for families to participate in artmaking, volunteer in classrooms, and celebrate student achievements through annual showcases.
By combining structured lesson design with flexibility and creativity, Art in Action helped College Park make arts education sustainable and inclusive for the entire school community.
The Results
Since adopting Art in Action, College Park has seen remarkable transformation across classrooms and school culture:
✅ High Student Excitement
Students eagerly anticipate weekly art lessons, showing enthusiasm and pride in their creative accomplishments.
🌟 Joyful Learning Culture
Art has become a central, celebrated part of campus life—enhancing classroom climate and student well-being through creative expression.
🎨 Community Celebration
The school’s year-end Student Art Showcase was described as “like walking into an art museum”—a vibrant display of color, imagination, and student voice.
👩🏽🏫 Empowered Teachers and Volunteers
Staff and parent volunteers feel supported and confident leading lessons, thanks to Art in Action’s clear structure and step-by-step guidance.
In Their Words
“It’s a vibrant program. It brings joy. From the moment I saw it, I was impressed—by the curriculum, the visuals, the diversity of the art forms. Art in Action is easy to implement, yet incredibly powerful in what it offers students.”
— Principal Estonina,
College Park Elementary School
Looking Ahead
As College Park continues to grow its art program, creativity has become a cornerstone of its identity. The school plans to further strengthen family involvement and expand opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning that connect art with literacy, history, and social-emotional growth.
With Art in Action, College Park Elementary has proven that art can be more than an enrichment—it can be a joyful, essential part of every child’s learning journey.
About Art in Action
Art in Action is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering K–8 students through visual arts education. Our standards-aligned curriculum supports teachers with engaging, step-by-step lessons and hands-on projects that build creativity, confidence, and critical thinking.
Learn more about how Art in Action can transform your school’s art program at https://artinaction.org/program-overview
