Worcester, MA, Students Gain a Balanced Education Through the Integration of STEM and Artistic Disciplines

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In Worcester Public Schools, innovation meets imagination through a perfect blend of arts and science. From high-tech courses at Doherty Memorial High School to the vibrant studios of Worcester Arts Magnet School, the region’s students are finding their voices in both algorithms and arias. 

“At Worcester Public Schools, the arts are a really important piece of having a well-rounded, robust education for students,” says Dan O’Brien, chief communications officer for Worcester Public Schools. “Math and science are equally important, and when you blend the two, you foster that creativity in students and make school engaging and fun. Not only that – it gives students those future-ready skills.” 

Reba Saldanha

A Creative Workforce 

A web development program at Doherty Memorial High School, for example, equips students with essential coding, design and problem-solving skills that are highly sought after in the tech industry. Through hands-on projects, real-world simulations and industry-standard tools, students gain practical experience in web development, software engineering and database management. 

Students also earn industry certifications and develop portfolios to help them transition smoothly into the workforce. 

“Students develop a range of transferable skills that apply beyond programming and web development. They enhance their problem-solving abilities by breaking down complex challenges and finding efficient solutions,” says Kevin Donohue, programming and web development teacher at Doherty Memorial High School. 

Kyle Prudhomme

Donohue says students also strengthen their critical thinking skills, learn valuable collaboration and communication skills through team projects, and build adaptability by keeping up with new technologies and industry trends. The arts also play a role in students’ classroom success. 

“Creativity is at the core of web development, from designing visually engaging websites to writing innovative code that enhances user experience,” Donohue says. “Students blend artistic expression with technical expertise through user interface and user experience design, animation and interactive elements. They learn how to make websites not only functional but also aesthetically appealing.” 

Courtesy of Worcester Public Schools

Striking an Artistic Balance 

Donohue says program instructors collaborate with instructors in other disciplines to develop well-rounded digital experiences. 

For example, programmers and web developers often work with marketing teams to build and optimize e-commerce platforms, ensuring seamless functionality, user engagement and data-driven decision-making, he says. 

Worcester Public Schools also integrates the arts into its curriculum through specialized programs and facilities, including the Worcester Arts Magnet School, where elementary school students develop applicable skills via an arts-focused education. 

“Our program is designed to unify the attainment of solid academic preparation with creative and performing arts so that children can profit from successful educational experiences in a supportive environment,” says Mary Ellen Scanlon, principal of Worcester Arts Magnet School. 

Scanlon states the school’s curriculum emphasizes self-expression, critical thinking, creativity and communication skills, tailoring instruction to each student’s unique needs, learning style, and abilities. 

Courtesy of Worcester Public Schools

Where Tech Meets Talent 

Likewise, the Hanover Insurance Academy of the Arts at Burncoat Middle School and Burncoat High School integrates visual and media arts, dance, music and theater into the curriculum. 

The program offers students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to select art electives alongside their standard academic courses. 

“Science and math are highly valued, and they should be, but there are other skills employers are looking for like communication and creativity,” says Aimee Kewley, head of the Arts Department at Burncoat High School. 

Kyle Prudhomme

“By having this holistic approach for our students, we are readying them for the real world and life after school because they are able to fully communicate,” she says. “They are able to work as a member of a team. They can understand a deadline and think outside the box to problem solve because all of those things happen in the arts every single day.” 

Kewley says the arts also help students develop intangible skills, such as empathy. 

“We have a lot of kids who go into careers that help people, and it’s because of the arts. We have a lot of social workers, a lot of teachers, a lot of nurses and other medical professionals,” she says. “Things like bedside manner can be learned through the arts. There’s a saying that theater is a playground for empathy because you build your empathy skills by watching the stories of other people and connecting to them.”