‘When kids are learning through the arts, they’re able to make different connections, more real-life connections, and that increases their learning in every aspect.’ — Liel Lavie

It was a typical day at the Charles Burrell Visual and Performing Arts Campus in northwest Aurora. Students in a high school global studies class were creating visual representations of genocide. Middle school social studies students were carving an ancient language into clay tablets. And elementary school kids were learning choreography to a song designed to inspire confidence and empowerment. It was all part of the curriculum and philosophy that guides the K–12 magnet school within Aurora Public Schools.

The school integrates art into its standard classes of literacy, math, science, and social studies, while also offering studio classes that focus on dance, theater, music, video production, and visual and digital arts. “During the design process (for the school), we were determining whether we wanted to do arts integration or more of a conservatory program, and we landed on really affording both for our students,” said Burrell K–8 principal Anne Ferris.

Eighth grader Adrian Alvarez likes how the school focuses on both academics and creativity, saying, “It keeps me interested in school and makes learning more fun.”

Senior Byron Rainer gave a specific example. “For a biology class, we were each given an element (from the periodic table), and we had to design a superhero character to represent it. So, if it was acidic, it could burn something, or if it was a heavy metal, maybe it had stronger defenses,” he said. “It really made it way more interesting to learn that way.”

Burrell Arts is separated into a K–8 program located in the former Peoria Elementary building, while grades 9–12 are housed in Aurora Central High School. Although they are separated by ballfields, high school principal Kurtis Quig said the two schools are integrated, sharing studio teachers and providing opportunities for the older students to mentor the younger students. “Our kids will go over there to read to the elementary school students, and they (K–8 students) come over here to watch high school students perform. It’s really beautiful to watch.”

The school, which was founded in 2022, was named after Charles Burrell, the jazz legend known as the “Jackie Robinson of classical music.” Burrell was the first African American musician to sign a contract with a major American symphony when he joined the Denver Symphony Orchestra in 1949. Until his death at age 104 last June, Burrell regularly visited the arts school, where two of his great grandchildren attend.

Images of Burrell are everywhere throughout the school, as are other artists of color. “We’re culturally inclusive. We want kids to be inspired by people who look like they do—so they know they can make a difference too. That’s embedded in everything we do,” said fourth grade teacher Liel Lavie.

The school, like the community around it, is racially diverse. The demographics of Burrell Arts are approximately 60% Hispanic, 12% Black, and 20% white, with about three-fourths of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

“Our mission is to support students in this community that want exposure to the arts. They maybe haven’t had any training or private lessons, but they are excited by art,” said Quig. “We think that art integration gets kids more engaged in learning, and the data shows that our students are outperforming students in other schools both in attendance and assessments.”

Lavie said, “When kids are learning through the arts, they’re able to make different connections, more real-life connections, and that increases their learning in every aspect.” She admitted that sometimes it can be challenging to think outside the box when developing lesson plans that include art, explaining, “We have to take risks, but that is exciting, and I think that gets kids excited about what they’re doing.”

A year ago, the Burrell performing arts classes benefited from a $19 million addition and renovation of the theater and studio spaces at Aurora Central High School. Students are now able to utilize state-of-the-art facilities for set construction, video and film production, and theatrical and music shows. Throughout the school year, students show off their talents at fine arts and performance showcases.

Partner organizations come to the school to perform and mentor students as well. Those partners include the Denver Center for Performing Arts, Denver Youth Orchestra, Redline Contemporary Arts Center, Denver Art Museum, and Downtown Aurora Visual Arts. Many of the organizations offer internships for high school students.

The process for admission varies. There is a lottery system for the elementary school. For middle school, “families apply, and we do an interview process that is focused on our core values of creativity, care, and confidence,” said Ferris. The high school, which will celebrate its first graduating class this spring, has an application process that includes an interview with each applicant. It has approximately 240 students, with space to grow to 400 students, while the K–8 school is near capacity with 480 students.

Applications for the 2026–27 school year closed on Jan. 30, but to learn more about what the school offers, visit burrellarts.aurorak12.org.

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch