At High Tech High, we believe the arts are essential to a well-rounded, inspiring education. Thanks to Proposition 28 funding, our schools have deepened their commitment to arts-infused learning—creating new partnerships, opening creative doors for students, and building lifelong skills through the arts.

In 2022, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. This landmark initiative provides dedicated funding to expand arts and music education in public schools—ensuring students across the state have greater access to creative learning experiences. Prop 28 funding must be used to supplement existing arts programs by hiring arts teachers, offering professional development, and creating new opportunities for students to engage in visual and performing arts.

At High Tech Elementary Explorer, our students have been immersed in a joyful, rich music experience over the past eight weeks with support from wonderful community partners:

🎵 Kindergarten & TK – Songbirds Program
Our youngest learners spread their wings through Songbirds, a lively introduction to music and movement that nurtures a lifelong love of music through weekly lessons.

🎶 1st & 2nd Grades – APT 4 Music
Students explored the fundamentals of rhythm, melody, and songwriting with hands-on experiences using drums, keyboards, and ukuleles—culminating in the creation of their own original songs.

🥁 3rd Grade – APT 4 Music (After Spring Break)
After spring break, our third graders will begin their musical journey with APT 4 Music, diving into rhythm, melody, and composition with energy and enthusiasm.

🎤 4th & 5th Grades – Infoformance with Cygnet Theatre
In partnership with Cygnet Theatre, students participated in an “Infoformance,” combining voice preparation and theatrical skills to create magical performances that celebrated their hard work and artistic growth.

Meanwhile, at High Tech Middle, students are experiencing a unique and meaningful arts residency through a collaboration with ArtReach:

🎨 6th Grade – Artist Residency with ArtReach
In Ryan Martinez’s class, students are engaging in a powerful project that blends art, identity, and history. Through the design and creation of personalized wooden coats of arms, students are exploring their heritage, community ties, and

personal narratives. Using painting, collage, and mixed media, they are transferring their hand-drawn designs onto wood using a charcoal method, priming and preparing their pieces for final painting. Along the way, students are building foundational art skills, learning about symbolism, and discovering how art has historically served as a means of personal and collective storytelling.

Through these experiences, we are not just teaching artistic techniques—we are empowering students to express themselves, connect with their histories, and build the confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills they will carry with them into the future.

These are exactly the kinds of experiences Proposition 28 was designed to support: equitable, high-quality, real-world arts learning for all students. At High Tech High, we are proud to steward these resources thoughtfully and transparently—making sure every dollar translates into meaningful opportunities for creative exploration and growth.

Together, we are celebrating progress, honoring creativity, and empowering the future—one song, one project, and one joyful discovery at a time.