Art 1, 2 - Grades 9 - 12
College Preparatory Course (P). This course meets the University of California's f (visual and performing arts) subject-area requirement.
This foundational high school course allows students with a wide variety of backgrounds in visual art education to understand and use elements of art and principles of design through examination of images, reading, writing, discussion, and creating works of art to widen and deepen visual literacy. Instruction focuses on drawing skills (e.g., observational, gesture, contour, figure, one- and two-point perspective, shading, pointillism) and painting skills (e.g., strokes, stippling, color blocking, blending, wash) using a variety of media. Multiple approaches to artistic investigations are represented in each student portfolio. Sketchbook/journal entries document development, refinement, and reflection of student work. Students will write critical analyses that describe, interpret, analyze, and judge historic and contemporary works of art, including their own.
Ceramics 1, 2 - 12 only
This is an introductory-level ceramics course in which students design and construct art objects using clay. They learn about form and function, actual texture, and bisque and glaze firing techniques. Students create clay bodies using pinch, slab, coil, and wheel-thrown methods. They develop criteria for evaluating ceramic forms and participate in critical processes. Students analyze, select, and curate an exhibition of their work collaboratively.
Drawing and Painting 1, 2 - Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Academic grades of "A" or "B" in Art 1, 2.
College Preparatory Course (P). This course meets the University of California's f (visual and performing arts) subject-area requirement. This course is designed for students who have demonstrated aptitude in drawing and painting in prerequisite courses and a desire to pursue a sequence of studies in visual art. Primary emphasis is placed on drawing and painting techniques in a variety of media. Students develop their own personal styles of creative expression as they create individual works based on the elements and principles of art. They are introduced to a variety of cultural and historical styles and motifs. Through critiques, students display the ability to appreciate and value the aesthetics of a wide spectrum of artwork, as well as to understand the relationship between art, culture, and history. Students develop, refine, and create a series of drawings and paintings based on existing works. Individually, students analyze and select their own artistic work for presentation. Collaboratively, they curate an exhibit based on a theme.
Individual Art 1, 2 - Grade 10 -12
Prerequisite: Academic grades of "A" or "B" in Art 1, 2.
College Preparatory Course (P). This course meets the University of California's f (visual and performing arts) subject-area requirement. Individualized Art Studio is designed to meet the needs and interests of the most able art students. Greater depth of understanding and improving techniques are emphasized. Both two- and three-dimensional work in sculpture, clay, textiles, drawing, painting, and graphics are included.
Senior Art Studio 1, 2 - Grade 12
Prerequisites: Minimum "B" grade in previous art course and recommendation by art teacher.
College Preparatory Course (P). This course meets the University of California's f (visual and performing arts) subject-area requirement. This course meets the needs of advance, self-motivated students as they discover their own visual styles as artists. Students are expected to demonstrate competency in at least one art form and expertise in composition, and to exhibit their work individually as they develop it. They are also expected to participate in several exhibitions and critiques and to show respect for uniqueness in themselves and others. Students will strengthen their understanding of general styles and periods of major art forms and understand the contexts in which those works were produced. This course will cover the major artistic concerns of contemporary movements in art and how they affect the quality of contemporary life.
Studio Art, 2-D Design 1, 2 AP - Grades 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum "B" grade in previous art course, recommendation by art teacher and presentation of an art portfolio.
This course provides instruction for the highly skilled, exceptional student who chooses to pursue excellence in original two-dimensional works of art. Students will be guided in purposeful decision making as they develop a portfolio that demonstrates a deep understanding of the elements and principles of art in an integrated manner. Processes may include, but are not limited to, graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, illustration, painting, and printmaking, as outlined in the College Board's AP Studio Arts course description.
Studio Art, Drawing Portfolio 1, 2 AP - Grades 11 - 12
Prerequisites: Minimum "B" grade in previous art course, recommendation by art teacher and presentation of an art portfolio.
This course is intended to address a very broad interpretation of drawing issues and media for the highly skilled, exceptional student who chooses to pursue excellence in drawing. Students will be guided in deep exploration of line quality, light and shade, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, and the illusion of depth. This exploration could include painting, printmaking, mixed media, etc. Observational, abstract, and invented works of art should demonstrate drawing competence as students develop a drawing portfolio as outlined in the College Board's AP Studio Arts course description.
Art History 1, 2 AP - Grades 11, 12 (HP)
Prerequisites: Recommendation of teacher and counselor.
Honors Preparatory Course (HP). This course meets the University of California's f (visual and performing arts) subject-area requirement. This course is designed to prepare students for the AP examination for college credit. Through slide illustrated lectures, field trips, discussions, and participation in special projects, students will explore the themes that have impelled artists to be creative. The course will present a historical as well as an analytical approach to visual art and its place in Western and non-Western civilizations through an indepth, discipline-based approach.
Photography 1, 2 and 3, 4 - Grades 10 - 12
Students acquire the ability to complete all of the processes involved in taking various kinds of photographs and producing finished prints. Understanding of the principles of good composition and of the application of photographic principles to industrial processes is stressed. This course uses advances in photographic technology to produce and to display digital photos. Students develop interests and abilities in photography to the point that they have a good foundation for an avocation.
This course is part of the Design, Visual, and Media Arts career pathway in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment industry sector.
Film Arts 1, 2 - Grade 12 only
College Preparatory Course (P). This course meets the University of California's f (visual and performing arts) subject-area requirement. Film Arts provides an analysis of film as an art form and as a means of communication. Students will learn to analyze films through narrative structure, genre conventions, subtext, technical and artistic factors, and purpose. Emphasis will be placed on the various visual-language systems and the spectrum of techniques used by filmmakers to convey meaning. The course introduces realistic, classic, and formalistic traditions of filmmaking, as well as the history of the cinema. Students will explore the cultural relevance of films and their influence on society. They will create a short film project.
Theatre 1, 2 - Grades 9 - 12
This is the first course in a sequential series of standards-based theatre courses designed for the high-school level. It is directed primarily toward acquiring performance and language skills through acting, reading, speaking, listening, writing, and body control. Students focus on creating, performing, responding, and connecting theatrical experiences to the real world. Specific topics explored include physical and vocal work, pantomime and improvisation, basic dramatic structure, theatre vocabulary , the collaborative nature of the production and creative team, theatrical staging techniques, given circumstances, introduction to the rehearsal and performance process, understanding the creative process, scene study and monologues, responding to theatre through different formats, and exploring the role of culture in theatre. An overview of technical theatre and design is included as well. Students are expected to work collaboratively to develop an ensemble, apply creative problem solving techniques, perform for an audience in informal settings, and demonstrate appropriate audience and backstage etiquette. Critique, reflection, and assessment are utilized as documentation for the course. Students learn to describe how skills acquired in theatre apply to other content areas, careers, and their own lives.
Theatre 3, 4 - Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Theatre 1, 2 or teacher placement
This is the second course in a sequential series of standards-based theatre courses designed for the high-school level. This intermediate-level class continues to develop the skills introduced in Theatre 1,2. Additional areas of study include a more in depth experience in technical theatre and design, exploration of world theatre history and performance, and practice in dramaturgy and playwriting. Students are expected to perform in both formal and informal settings, participate in leadership roles as well as work in collaborative, problem-solving teams. Students reflect on their own creative process, demonstrate understanding of others' aesthetic choices, compare traditional and nontraditional interpretations of theatrical material, and write critiques. Students identify how film, theatre, television, social, and electronic media influence society and culture. Time is also devoted to exploring career paths and professional standards in the industry.
Theatre 5, 6 - Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Theatre 3, 4 with a C or better and/or teacher placement.
This is the third course in a sequential series of standards-based theatre courses designed for the high-school level. The third year's instruction in theatre allows students to put into practice what they have learned in first two years of study. Students are expected to take on leadership roles and special projects related to play production and class projects. At this level students are able to refine dramatic concepts, revise ideas during the rehearsal process to enhance storytelling, conduct advanced research to improve dramaturgy, build teams, support the creative process, and to function as assistants to any of the creative team leaders on the production staff. As actors, students continue to advance their craft, applying researched theatrical styles and acting exercises as an approach to character work. They collaborate to create new work and investigate both western and non-western theatre history. Formal performances are expected for a variety of audience types. Critique, reflection, interpretation, and response are firmly part of the creative process at this point. Script analysis includes classical, contemporary, realistic, and nonrealistic texts representing a broad spectrum of cultural diversity. Students interested in playwriting write monologues, short plays, and one-acts. Students interested in directing research directors' styles, compare historical productions, form unique choices in preparing a directorial concept, and practice creative problem solving through staging techniques. Exploration of career and college opportunities in theatre and the entertainment industry is required.
Technical Theatre 1, 2 and 3, 4 - Grade 9 - 12
Students will create designs for sets, lights, costumes, and sound for school productions, including sketches, ground plans, renderings, color charts/swatches, and models. The Tech 3, 4 students will work as crew chiefs and will supervise the Tech 1, 2 students during construction and production. Stage management responsibilities, with full prompt books, will also be required for each production. Students will investigate the history of theatre architecture and stage design. Problem solving and working under pressure will be stressed.
Theatrical Management and Design 1, 2 - Grade 11 - 12
Prerequisites: Technical Theatre 1, 2 (P), Technical Theatre 3,4 (P) or Arts Management 1,2
Theatrical Management and Design 1, 2 is an advanced course in the Production and Managerial Arts pathway. This course offers the technical theatre student advanced studies in management, as well as research and design. Building on the previous two years of training, students will provide leadership in theatrical productions from design to execution. Examples include pre-production duties, front of house operations and creating design portfolios. Students will synthesize and evaluate the connection between theatre arts and the core curriculum in order to successfully pursue college and career paths in the industry.
Choir 1, 2 - Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Ability to sing or interest in learning how to sing; students may be auditioned and grouped together into ensembles on the basis of voice quality, range, or skill
Choir 1, 2 teaches the musical concepts and technique of singing at a beginning level. In this course, students will learn how to produce accurate pitch and create a mature vocal tone, as well as learn the basics of music notation and musical vocabulary. Students will be exposed to the major scale and diverse repertoire (including text in foreign languages) and will be asked to think deeply about the discipline of music from a number of perspectives, including style, genre, mood, and historical and cultural context. Additional topics of study include demonstrating appropriate performance etiquette, identifying musical contrasts, evaluating performances, and creating new music through compositions and improvisations.
Choir 3, 4 - Grades 10 - 12
Choir 3, 4 teaches the musical concepts and technique of singing at an early intermediate level. In this course, students will increase their knowledge of music notation and musical vocabulary, and will continue to refine their pitch accuracy, vocal tone, and performance skills. Students will interact with music through composing, improvising, transcribing, performing, and evaluating performances. They will be exposed to the harmonic minor scale, musical careers in media, and additional diverse repertoire (including text in foreign languages), and will be asked to think deeply about the history of American music and the cultural functions of music.
Guitar 1, 2 - Grades 9 - 12
Guitar 1, 2 teaches the musical concepts and technique of performing at a beginning level. In this course, students will learn how to produce controlled and accurate pitch through melodies, strummed chords, and finger-picking, as well as learn the basics of music notation and musical vocabulary. Students will be exposed to the major scale and diverse repertoire and will be asked to think deeply about the discipline of music from a number of perspectives, including style, genre, mood, and historical and cultural context. Additional topics of study include demonstrating appropriate performance etiquette, identifying musical contrasts, evaluating performances, and creating new music through compositions and improvisations.
Guitar 3, 4 - Grades 10 - 12
Guitar 3, 4 teaches the musical concepts and instrumental technique of performing at an early intermediate level. In this course, students will increase their knowledge of music notation and musical vocabulary, and will continue to refine their pitch accuracy, instrumental tone, and performance skills. Students will interact with music through composing, improvising, transcribing, performing, and evaluating performances. They will be exposed to the harmonic minor scale, common chord progressions, musical careers in media, and additional diverse repertoire, and will be asked to think deeply about the history of American music and the cultural functions of music.
Band 3, 4 - Grades 9 - 12
Requirements: Students will be concurrently enrolled in Advanced Band and PE Marching Band. Participation in after school rehearsals, attendance at all performances and attendance at LEAD week (last week of summer) are required. Good citizenship, attendance and enrollment in Zero Period PE Marching Band are expected.
Band 3,4 teaches the musical concepts and instrumental technique of performing at an early intermediate level. In this course, students will increase their knowledge of music notation and musical vocabulary, and will continue to refine their pitch accuracy, instrumental tone, and performance skills. Students will interact with music through composing, improvising, transcribing, performing, and evaluating performances. They will be exposed to the harmonic minor scale, musical careers in media, and additional diverse repertoire, and will be asked to think deeply about the history of American music and the cultural functions of music.
Band 5, 6 - Grades 9 - 12
Requirements: Participation in after school rehearsals, attendance at all performances, and attendance at LEAD week (last week of summer) are expected. Good citizenship and attendance are expected. Students will be enrolled in Zero Period PE Marching Band and receive one semester of PE credit. Students may be asked to be concurrently enrolled in Intermediate Band.
Band 5, 6 allows intermediate musicians to further develop their wind/percussion technique and tonal control. They will begin to monitor and modify their own pitch and interpretation independently and evaluate performances using more sophisticated analysis. More complex musical concepts, notation, and vocabulary will be studied, including modulations, cadences, and multiple types of scales. Students will perform diverse repertoire in a variety of performance settings and venues. They will create longer and more intricate compositions, improvisations, and arrangements of music, and improve their aural skills through transcription. The students will complete a musical career research project and draw conclusions about the context of a piece based on its stylistic features.
Jazz Ensemble 1 (Spring Only) - Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Auditions (December) and teacher approval are mandatory. Good citizenship and attendance are required.
Jazz Ensemble 1, 2 teaches the musical concepts and technique of performing jazz at a beginning level. In this course, students will learn how to produce controlled and accurate pitch and create a mature jazz tone, as well as learn the basics of music notation and musical vocabulary. Students will be exposed to the major scale and diverse repertoire and will be asked to think deeply about the discipline of music from a number of perspectives, including style, genre, mood, and historical and cultural context. Additional topics of study include demonstrating appropriate performance etiquette, identifying musical contrasts, evaluating performances, and creating new music through compositions and improvisations.
Orchestra 1,2 - Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisites: Auditions and teacher approval required. Good citizenship and attendance are required
Orchestra 1, 2 teaches the musical concepts and technique of performing at a beginning level. In this course, students will learn how to produce controlled and accurate pitch and create a mature string tone, as well as learn the basics of music notation and musical vocabulary. Students will be exposed to the major scale and diverse repertoire and will be asked to think deeply about the discipline of music from a number of perspectives, including style, genre, mood, and historical and cultural context. Additional topics of study include demonstrating appropriate performance etiquette, identifying musical contrasts, evaluating performances, and creating new music through compositions and improvisations.
Orchestra 3, 4 and 5, 6 - Grade 10 - 12
Students will interact with music through composing, improvising, transcribing, performing, and evaluating performances. They will be exposed to the harmonic minor scale, musical careers in media, and additional diverse repertoire, and will be asked to think deeply about the history of American music and the cultural functions of music.
Introduction to Music Production Technology 1, 2 9 - 12
Students in this course learn how to create original pieces of music, and develop foundational skills and knowledge in preparation for taking higher-level courses that will lead to a career in music. Topics covered include: music theory, music vocabulary, an overview of the recording industry, studio skills, basic recording techniques, product proposals, and product creation.
Video Production 1, 2 and 3, 4 - Grades 9 - 12
This course develops student skills in video production. Areas of emphasis include scriptwriting, equipment operation, studio and remote production techniques, on-camera oral communication skills, critical television viewing, and occupational opportunities in video.
Cinematic Arts 1, 2 - Grades 11, 12
Credit for this course counts toward the practical arts credits required for high school graduation.
Prerequisites: Video Production 1, 2 and Video Production 3, 4 or teacher approval.
Cinematic Arts is an advanced-level course in the Design, Visual and Media Arts pathway for the Arts, Media and Entertainment industry sector. It builds on knowledge and skills acquired in the beginning and intermediate courses, Video Production 1,2 (P) and Video Production 3,4 (P), which emphasized the basic elements of art and design and their relationship to technology in the creation of modern visual communications. Cinematic Arts focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the aesthetic and social aspects of motion-picture arts. Students who take the course will learn how to understand, critique and create quality cinematic compositions.
Music Theory 1, 2 AP - Grade 10 - 12
Prerequisites: Ability to read and write musical notation; recommendation by teacher and counselor
This course is for students who wish to pursue a college-level study of theory. Frequent homework assignments are to be expected. The course helps prepare students for the AP examination. Students will learn to identify and use the standard vocabulary and language of music at an advanced level, particularly rhythm, melodic line, harmonic content, and musical structure.