Discover Eliot Arts Magnet: Where Middle School Success Is Truly an Art

Discover the school that has success down to an art. Eliot Arts Magnet is the only middle school program with truly integrated arts in the San Gabriel Valley. Here, creativity isn’t an add-on — it’s embedded into every lesson, every project, and every opportunity. Arts are woven throughout the curriculum, and students are encouraged to explore their passions in a supportive, inspiring environment. Learn more by touring Eliot Arts Magnet and seeing this vibrant community in action.

Eliot Arts Magnet proudly stands as the only public arts-focused middle school in the San Gabriel Valley, designed specifically for grades 6–8. At Eliot, art is never an afterthought. While many middle school programs relegate arts to after-school electives, Eliot integrates creative expression into every part of the school day — from the studio, to the stage, to the academic classroom.

“We look at every lesson through the lens of creativity,” explains 6th Grade ELA & History teacher Dawnley Raices. “I could just have students take notes or do a test, but instead, I ask: why not let them show me how they absorbed this information differently?”

Eliot’s innovative arts conservatory model allows students to choose from dozens of courses taught in collaboration with community partners and working artists — all without ever leaving the school’s resource-rich campus. This approach expands students’ confidence and curiosity both inside and outside the classroom.

“I think trying new things here has made me more confident to try new things outside of school,” shares one Eliot Arts student.

The school welcomes all students, regardless of artistic experience. Through the Artists Seminar Program, 6th graders explore a range of disciplines before choosing a specialized pathway to deepen in grades 7 and 8.

Principal Lanisha McKenzie describes the school this way: “Eliot is a place where you can get a private school education at a public school cost. We offer foreign languages, and we offer a robust after-school program.”

At its core, Eliot believes in the transformative power of the arts — to widen horizons, make sense of the world, build meaningful connections, and shape the imaginations of future innovators and leaders. This philosophy drives the most comprehensive public middle school arts curriculum in the region.

So come discover what Eliot families already know: when it comes to outstanding, well-rounded, art-centered education, Eliot Arts Magnet is crafting a masterpiece – one student at a time.

“Eliot Arts Magnet campus was damaged by the Eaton Fire. Our school community is co-located at McKinley School at 325 S. Oak Knoll St., Pasadena, CA 91101 or visit https://eliot.pusd.us/.”