Warren Road Elementary's PTA raised $12,000 for a pilot arts program to increase enrollment and inspire students' creativity.

"Our main goal is for art to be infused throughout the curriculum, so students will be introduced to things they wouldn't be introduced to otherwise," Principal Connie Ryals said. "They may say, 'I'm really good at this, and I like this.' They can discover their own talent."

Dr. Ryals is attributing the Arts Infusion program, launched in August, for part of the almost 7 percent enrollment increase, with about 505 students this fall compared to 472 last year. She said some parents probably chose the school over others in that zone because of the arts program.

"We haven't seen this kind of jump in years," Dr. Ryals said. "We know the arts enhances our lives. I'm a musician, so I know the importance of that."

She said she hopes conducting a lottery next spring for all elementary students in District 7 will help Warren Road reach full capacity with 600 students.

Pupils in kindergarten through fifth grade take 30 minutes of dance, art, music or drama each day, Dr. Ryals said.

The school's PTA and the Richmond County Board of Education made the program possible. In February, the board approved the three-year pilot program, and granted Warren Road two part-time teachers for drama and dance classes. The school already had an art and music teacher, Dr. Ryals said.

The school's PTA has helped raise funds for costumes, sound equipment and other art materials, Dr. Ryals said. She said she hopes to raise enough money to build a small theater for the school's future productions.

Kim Munson, Warren Road's PTA president, said she can already see the effect the program has had on her third-grader, Emily.

"She tells me what she learns in drama," Mrs. Munson said. "She's coming home singing songs. This is going to help her just broaden her views."

Beyond exploring their gifts, Dr. Ryals said she hopes students will apply the discipline and focus acquired from pursuing arts to their academics.

"It can impact their test scores, because students use creative thinking skills and problem solving in the arts," she said. "This will teach them to persevere in their arts and anything else they pursue."