The River Valley School District applied for and received two charter school grants from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The funds from the grants have been utilized to plan for and open the River Valley Elementary Studio School. The Studio School is a K-5 charter school in the River Valley School District that opened on September 1, 2011. Parents, community members, and school personnel came together to formulate the basis for the charter school grant. Primarily the funds have been used to explore and learn from other schools in the state and throughout the nation that are implementing project based, arts integrated, place-based education for elementary-aged students. Project based learning (PBL) is not new to education nor to charter schools. An inquiry-based process of teaching and learning, PBL has students focus on a complex issue or question, then solve the problem through a collaborative process of investigation over an extended period of time. One of the things that is dynamic about PBL is that students have the ability to investigate truly authentic issues and topics that can be found outside of the 'four walls' of a school. Students learn content, information, and facts necessary to draw conclusions about the question during this inquiry process. Perhaps even more importantly, PBL has a natural connection to enhancing creativity in the learner. Through the use of a project based learning approach, the Studio School utilizes the arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning for students in all disciplines. The Studio School goes far beyond art for art's sake and applies the learning power of the arts across the entire curriculum with the assistance of the rich resources of our River Valley community. Through the belief that arts education is essential for building innovative thinkers who will be our nation's leaders for tomorrow, we are working together to expose, enrich and empower our students through the arts. The process of opening this school and continuing to stay true to our mission and vision has required a great deal of commitment from our stakeholders: parents, community members, students, and interested school personnel. The above information is just a snapshot of what the entire album contains. Please keep your eyes on the River Valley School District website, the Studio School Facebook page, and The Home News for helpful information and ways you can be involved. If you would like to be involved or have questions about the Studio School, do not hesitate to contact Co-Directors Heather Terrill Stotts or Tom Wermuth at RVSD.Studio.School@gmail.com.