Dance and Choreography is now considered a Visual-Performing Arts (VPA) course, altering the 2026-2027 Pinewood Performing Arts curriculum.
As part of graduation requirements, Pinewood sophomores must complete a foundational arts class. Their options are Studio Art 1, Music Theory and Composition 1, and Theater 1.
Juniors are given the option to either continue the courses they began in sophomore year or instead enroll in a year-long VPA class. Previously, this catalogue only included Pinewood Singers, AP 2D Art & Design, AP Photography, and AP Art History. With this new update, Dance and Choreography count towards the Junior VPA requirements.
The change is meant to give junior students more choices and flexibility in their schedules. Sophomore Nicole Borovikov, who recently enrolled in her junior year classes, is relieved about the change.
“I was planning to have to squeeze in a semester of Studio Art [2] somewhere just to meet my art credit recommendations,” Borovikov said. “When I realized I could do [my VPA] as dance, I saw an opportunity to just do dance senior year as a fun class with friends.”
Dance and Choreography teacher Carrie McRobbie has been advocating for this change for a long time, and she feels that it brings a greater sense of identity to her class.
“It’s weighing all the arts equally,” McRobbie said. “[Before], Dance was kind of on the outside — you could do it for PE credit — but it’s now recognized as a more formal part of [Pinewood] Performing Arts.”
Borovikov agrees with the sentiment, also feeling that this shift from an athletic class to an arts class affects the attention the class receives.
“Students will stop dropping [Dance] after sophomore year because for the most part, it was getting taken as a PE credit, and now it can be taken as an art too,” Borovikov said. “More students will probably find out about dance, which could lead to people joining.”
Visual Arts Department Head Joy Blalock agrees that continuity is crucial to a dancer’s journey.
“You have to practice to get better at dance.” Blalock said. “So if students aren’t doing it year after year, they won’t [grow as quickly].”
Blalock also believes that Dance and Choreography will benefit from the extra structure the new PPA curriculum provides.
“[For] photography, you might take photos on your own, but I don’t know if you’re going to do a group dance on your own,” Blalock said. “So dance really needs that structure.”
Dance and Choreography’s new VPA status brings a great deal of freedom to students.
“They can choose what best suits their needs and passions instead of just satisfying a requirement,” McRobbie said. “It’s a more well-rounded course selection.”
