Course Catalog

In this mandatory quarter course, students will learn to recognize and utilize the elements of art and develop an understanding of color theory. Students will focus on creating successful compositions in each finished work. Students will develop skills in two-dimensional design, observational drawing, one-point perspective and watercolor painting. Students are also introduced to a cross cultural understanding of art history.  Evaluation will be based on class participation, portfolio, homework and sketchbook exercises.

This one-quarter long course is required for freshmen and is offered in rotation with Art 1, Communications, and Reading Strategies. It offers an introduction to or review of Windows-based programs most commonly used in academic settings. Topics from internet safety and legal/ethical issues related to plagiarism and social networking and an introduction to programing using Scratch. Other topics may be covered, depending on the skills and needs of the class.

This course will aim to introduce students to the different aspects of planning, designing, directing, and performing a theatrical production. The course will utilize both original student work and classic dramas to introduce students to the theatre arts. The primary focus of the class will be individual performance and collaboration with others. Students will apply what they have learned about technique and their knowledge of staging/performing a show to various theater pieces. Students will analyze a script for clues to characterization and psychological motivations. Performances will be rehearsed and presented in class, then reviewed by peers and instructor. Students will have the opportunity to choose their own monologues and scenes as well as to compose their own works. As their final project, students will produce a full-scale dramatic production in Quarter 4.

This semester course deals with the application of the principles of design. Students will explore a variety of media, including pencil, charcoal, collage, acrylic, watercolor, and ceramics. A deeper introduction to contemporary and cross-cultural historical art will be provided through presentations, readings, and research. Students will continue building skills in analyzing art and begin participating in simple critiques. Students will be evaluated based on their portfolio, participation, homework, and sketchbook exercises.

This course will aim to introduce students to the different aspects of planning, designing, directing, and performing a theatrical production. The course will utilize both original student work and classic dramas to introduce students to the theatre arts. The primary focus of the class will be individual performance and collaboration with others. Students will apply what they have learned about technique and their knowledge of staging/performing a show to various theater pieces. Students will analyze a script for clues to characterization and psychological motivations. Performances will be rehearsed and presented in class, then reviewed by peers and instructor. Students will have the opportunity to choose their own monologues and scenes as well as to compose their own works. As their final project, students will produce a full-scale dramatic production in Quarter 4.

Art Portfolio, a full-year elective, is an integration of drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and sculpture, culminating in the creation of a body of work to be used towards a college entrance art portfolio. Students will explore a variety of media and styles in order to express themselves in a creative and individual way. Students will practice advanced critique techniques and be graded on a combination of their final portfolio work, sketchbook, and participation in peer critiques.

This full-year junior elective is designed as an introductory study of how to create content for the internet and print media, allowing students to develop the technical skills needed to create professional-looking, functional websites and documents. Topics covered include text manipulation, hand-coding, html, image preparation/manipulation, WYSIWYG editors, and 2D animation. Students will undertake a variety of research projects. They will create artwork focusing on drawing, design, and digital photography, then enhance their creations through the use of Adobe Photoshop.

This course will aim to introduce students to the different aspects of planning, designing, directing, and performing a theatrical production. The course will utilize both original student work and classic dramas to introduce students to the theatre arts. The primary focus of the class will be individual performance and collaboration with others. Students will apply what they have learned about technique and their knowledge of staging/performing a show to various theater pieces. Students will analyze a script for clues to characterization and psychological motivations. Performances will be rehearsed and presented in class, then reviewed by peers and instructor. Students will have the opportunity to choose their own monologues and scenes as well as to compose their own works. As their final project, students will produce a full-scale dramatic production in Quarter 4.

The AP Art course is designed for students who are interested in the experience of an artist. AP Art and Design is an introductory college-level design course. Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art, process documentation, and written information about the work presented.

This senior design course covers a wide range of skills, expanding upon the work students did in their junior year. Topics covered include print media, packaging, 2D animation for the web, 3D design, and the theory & history of graphic design, and photography. Programs include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign. Students complete a professional-quality, web-based portfolio of their work for the year. Pre-requisite: Basic Graphic Design

In this elective course students will learn the basics of video-making: Pre-Production (writing, planning and organization), Production (shooting footage, interviews and reportage) and Post-production (editing, rendering, and file transport protocols). Students will be required to film content outside of the class and after school. 

In this senior elective students evaluate the process of working with clay.  Students will explore and learn hand-building techniques for creating functional and sculptural forms. Demonstrations include slab construction, coil building, and pinching. Students will also explore a wide variety of decorating techniques including applied textures, glazing and under glazing application to create dynamic surfaces. Evaluation will be based on class participation, process, and completed projects.