Aldine ISD Partners With Hobby Center for Performing Arts to Inspire Fifth Graders

In a remarkable initiative set to benefit over 4,000 fifth graders annually, Aldine Independent School District (ISD) has partnered with the Hobby Center for Performing Arts for the ExxonMobil Discovery Series. Running from September 23rd to February 25th, this series offers Aldine’s fifth-grade students the chance to experience live theater, music, dance, and more, performed by talented Houston-based artists and arts organizations. This partnership marks Aldine’s inaugural year with the program, promising a transformative educational experience that is both enriching and accessible. Expanding Horizons through the Arts, this partnership is founded on the strong belief that exposing students to the arts during a key developmental stage can greatly expand their horizons. Through live performances, students are empowered to think beyond their everyday environment, fostering creativity and critical thinking. This initiative presents an educational opportunity that surpasses traditional classroom learning, allowing students to gain valuable insights into different cultures and historical contexts, thus enhancing their overall educational experience.

Breaking Barriers to Arts Access

One of the standout features of this program is its accessibility. Offered entirely free of charge, the Hobby Center covers all costs, including bus transportation, ensuring that logistical and financial barriers do not impede participation. This comprehensive approach aligns with the Hobby Center’s strategic goal of deepening education and community engagement. By including bilingual performances, the program ensures that language barriers are minimized, making the arts accessible to all students regardless of their primary language. Aldine’s Director of Performing Arts, Refugio Rodriguez, champions this partnership, believing that breaking barriers and limitations for performing arts students is essential to academic success and personal growth, stating, “We only know what we are exposed to.” 

Hobby Center is the driving force in the performing arts ecosystem and will extend to Aldine’s 5th graders this fall.

“By taking our students out of the classroom and placing them directly into a setting where all elements of the arts are present will allow them to witness firsthand the possibilities of the arts at the highest level. Direct interactions with the cast and crew will give our students the opportunity to hear and see not just the artists but all of the persons involved in making the performance possible. Students will see that each person involved was just like them and that through hard work, determination, success, and fulfilling careers, they are possible in the arts,” said Rogriguez.

This partnership is  a strategic opportunity to encourage fifth-grade students to consider the performing arts as they transition to middle school. This early exposure can create pathways for academic and personal growth. Studies support the positive impact of arts education; for instance, according to Americans for the Arts, students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a dropout rate of just 4 percent—five times lower than their peers with low arts participation. Moreover, students who take four years of arts and music classes score, on average, over 150 points higher on the SAT compared to those with minimal arts education. The strategic goals of the Hobby Center align closely with those of Aldine ISD. Both organizations are committed to expanding artistic programming, developing and sustaining infrastructure, and strengthening Houston’s performing arts ecosystem. The Hobby Center’s dedication to removing barriers and providing high-quality arts education complements Aldine’s objectives of fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

This partnership will deepen education and community engagement initiatives.

A Vision for the Future

Thanks to Proposition C, Aldine ISD has plans for the construction of an Education and Performing Arts Center. This partnership with the Hobby Center provides a head start for the district’s fine arts department, aiming to impress upon young minds the importance and impact of the performing arts. The program is expected to reach more than 4,000 fifth graders annually, making a significant contribution to the cultural and educational development of Aldine ISD students. This partnership marks a new chapter for Aldine ISD, demonstrating a strong commitment to arts education and community involvement. By providing students with these unique and enriching experiences, Aldine ISD and the Hobby Center for Performing Arts are paving the way for a brighter, more culturally enriched future for all.

For more information about the Fine Arts department, please visit https://www.aldineisd.org/about/departments/teaching-learning-department/fine-arts-department/