The Mississippi Arts Commission visited Laurel Middle School and Nora Davis Magnet School Tuesday to present the two schools as Whole Schools Initiative's Model Schools for the Arts.

 MAC Executive Director Malcolm White said Nora Davis has been recognized by the MAC for several years as a model school. However, this year, Laurel Middle School has become the only Model Middle in the state of Mississippi.

 White said as Model Schools for the Arts, the schools are excelling in the use the Whole Schools Initiative.

 The Whole Schools Initiative, Mississippi's first comprehensive statewide arts education program, uses the arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning for students in all disciplines.

 "Teaching through the arts is an easier way to learn," White said. "If you participate, you will learn."

 White said the fact that Laurel Middle and Nora Davis are receiving this recognition means that they are excelling in their work with the arts.

 "When someone needs to know if arts in the school works, we send them to Nora Davis and Laurel Middle School," he said. "You are models. You teach other schools how it's done."

 White said Laurel Middle School is to be commended for its initial recognition.

 "Laurel Middle School is the first ever model middle school," he said. "This is the first model school we've ever had."

Laurel Middle School Principal Jeannine Agee said she and the entire middle school student body and faculty are excited about the state recognition.

 "This recognition means that our children and teachers have been able to integrate art into our curriculum to enhance student learning," Agee said. "For the commission to recognize us for this is outstanding."

 Agee said she's thankful for Laurel High Principal Carl Michael Day (who served as principal at the middle school during the 2008-09 school year) for his assistance with the Whole School program.

 Judi Holifield, director of MAC's Whole School Initiative, commended the middle school for its achievement. "Laurel Middle has embraced the concept and made a difference in the school," she added.

 White and Holifield said Nora Davis should also be commended for its consistency. White said the local magnet school has for eight years received the recognition of model school.

 Nora Davis Principal Elaine Read said it's through planning, training and hard work from everyone.

 Read said Nora Davis incorporates the arts in all its activities and learning.

 "We use the state framework and the arts framework and develop our plan," Read said. "By engaging our children, they become critical thinkers and problem-solvers. ... They learn more when they are motivated and have fun."

 White said the goal of the state is for all schools in the Laurel School District to become model schools.

 Holifield said the program "gives the children access to the arts."

 Holifield said all of the Laurel School District's schools are a part of MAC's Whole School Initiative. Mason, Oak Park and Stainton elementary schools are a part of the precept stage of the program, which is Arts in the Classroom. Laurel High School, Laurel Middle School and Nora Davis Magnet School are part of the Whole School Initiative.

Educators said the goal of the initiative is to improve student academic achievement through the integration of the arts into the basic curriculum; to enrich the lives of students by increasing their skills and knowledge in all arts disciplines; to assist the professional and personal growth of teachers and administrators through arts experiences; to use the arts to increase parental and community involvement in schools; and to assist schools in building a sustainable system for supporting arts integration and arts infusion.

 White commended all the students, educators and parents who attended Tuesday's special ceremony to recognize the schools' achievements.

 During Tuesday's celebration, some students performed dances and cheers while Nathan Garick and Bryce Ward, students at Nora Davis, read their original poems. Faith Whitt, a teacher, also read her Whole School poem.