The Jessye Norman School of the Arts is one of three programs of the Rachel Longstreet Foundation, Inc., Augusta, Georgia. These programs include initiating a Head Start Program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, building "Virginia's Playground", a universally accessible playground on Augusta's Riverfront, and the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, located at St. John United Methodist Church.

The Jessye Norman School of the Arts is guided by an Advisory Council developed by the Rachel Longstreet Foundation. The Council is comprised of experienced artists and educators to oversee artistic and professional standards, review arts curricula, and recommend faculty members. The Advisory Council also serves on audition panels, evaluates the program, and recommends guidelines for sequential expansion of the School of the Arts.

The Jessye Norman School of the Arts is an after-school program targeting 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Tubman Middle School. Admission to the School of the Arts is by audition only and requires a contract with both student and parents/guardians. Once accepted, students must maintain an overall 'C' average and may continue their fine arts studies at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts through their Senior year in high school. With additional funding and classroom space, the Jessye Norman School of the Arts will expand to other Richmond County middle schools.

Students at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts study dance, drama, music, and visual arts for 1½ hours 4 days each week of the school year. They also have Master Classes, Guest Artists, and Field Trips to various arts performances as part of their instruction.

The Jessye Norman School of the Arts presently has 24 students enrolled with plans to increase enrollment each year. The students will have immersion classes in each art discipline in their first and second years. Once they have reached a designated level of mastery, the students will be encouraged to choose a Major and a Minor course of fine arts study. This type of program provides fundamental instruction in the arts with opportunities to focus on one or more of the art disciplines.

Academic tutoring is provided weekly for students by the Augusta State Literacy Center to ensure they maintain their academic achievement. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts has also been 'adopted' by Friends of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, a group of students from Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. These students visit the school to serve as mentors by sharing what they have learned in their own school environment.

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