The arts are vital to a young person’s intellectual and emotional development, providing important outlets for self-expression and avenues for self-esteem.

In keeping with the school's philosophy of Balanced Excellence, every student is given an opportunity to pursue those artistic areas that interest him or her. This follows the belief that active participation in music, visual art, media technology, and drama are vital not only to developing the self-worth of the individual, but also to gaining a more relevant understanding of the world as a whole.

By studying cultural heritages, HIES students gain a more comprehensive understanding of artistic disciplines and how they've contributed to the development of our world's vast and varied civilizations. Intellectual and expressive artistic studies allow students to integrate both creative and interpretive skills in all academic fields.