Visual & Performing Arts
The Arts are alive and thriving at the Riviera Ridge School.
Students are immersed in an integrated arts collaborative throughout their learning journey. Beginning in the early-child programming and curriculum, students in JK through 1st grade experience art to develop their creativity and express their own ideas, feelings, and emotions. Opportunities continue to abound for students to hone these performance skills by participating in our after school enrichment programs in which they perform in musicals, learn beginning acting, vocal training, and movement.
Playing in harmony with our theater program, The Riviera Ridge School boasts an excellent music program as well. Students learn the joy of performing music, reading rhythmic dictation, and exploring the music of great composers as well as the history of jazz and popular music. We emphasize movement and cultural awareness along with building creativity, self-esteem and a sense of community.
Lower School students are encouraged and invited to hone their public speaking skills through writer's workshop and reader's theater. Students learn to successfully collaborate within a physical environment, act out key elements of a short story and describe character relationships. 
In the Middle School years, 6th through 8th grade, our scholars dive into their passions and creativity through our signature programs, STEAM2 and the Middle School Honors Initiative.
Students in our STEAM2 electives can participate in School of Rock, forming a real band and performing at various school and community events or even star in the Middle School Musical, one of the highlights of the school year for the entire community. Even if performance is not a passion, students find their perfect niche in the world of the arts, taking on important roles in Stage Management, Lighting, Set, Sound, and Costume Design. Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to perform on campus or in a local Santa Barbara theater venue, building our ties with the community and giving students a truly authentic real-world experience.
