The Fine Arts are integral to the St. James curriculum.  The unique SJES Central Theme curriculum provides numerous opportunities for dramatic interpretation, role playing, musical presentation and studio art creations.  St. James believes that all students benefit from such an exposure to "the arts" and therefore, the school does not provide "electives."  All students have music and studio art scheduled into their weekly schedules.

Choral music and music appreciation begin within the two-year old, N2, program and continue through 8th Grade enrichment classes.  The St. James curriculum is enriched through the incorporation of music that augments each grade-level Central Theme.  For example, when second grade students are studying their theme of "exploring new worlds" they learn music and songs very likely sung on the Mayflower voyage.  Studio Art and art appreciation are introduced in preschool classrooms and students begin to visit the art studio when they enter 1st Grade.  When third graders explore their theme, which embraces Colonial America through a study of Williamsburg they often create their own "horn books," silhouettes and weavings in studio art.

Music at St. James explores voice, percussive instruments, recorder and the African drum circle.  Each year of instruction provides specific skills popularized through the Kodaly and Orff music methodologies.  Studio Art provides a systematic introduction to a variety of media (paint, pastels, clay, etc.) to develop the sense of line, perspective and color within our students.  Art History is a crucial component of the St. James studio art program.  In 2007-2008 St. James was an honored recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities grant "Picturing America" that provided selected schools with poster prints of famous American art.  St. James has incorporated these posters into its Central Theme curriculum and they circulate throughout the school.

Drama and Improvisational Theater are addressed through the middle school enrichment program.  Students perform two Improv productions each year.