Academics

Art 1 – #A10A                                                                                            0.5 Credit              Level *  

An entry level course that helps students learn basic art skills. Students will be able to create artworks in a variety of media while learning about the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Projects are based on a semester theme of symbolism in art.

Art II – #A20A                                                                                            0.5 Credit              Level *  

Students will build on basic art skills learned in Art 1 (drawing, painting and sculpture). The goal is to improve art abilities while creating still life, landscape, portrait, and 3-D works. Content will include familiarization of art styles and periods.

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art 1.

Art III – #A32A                                                                                           0.5 Credit             Level *  

Students will draw on previous experience while building their repertoire of art skills. Students will be able to build a portfolio to photograph and submit with their college admissions materials. Projects are individualized to meet the needs and interests of the student. Media and techniques can be traditional or digital.

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art 2.

Art IV – #A42A                                                                                           0.5 Credit             Level *  

Students This advanced course focuses on solving college-level problems in Art. Students will be able to create artworks that are sophisticated and student centered, while working on an elite level. Content can be realistic or abstract. Expression and communication of creative ideas in a variety of media is stressed.

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art 3.

World Art – #A50A                                                                                    0.5 Credit              Level*

This is a hands-on course that explores Art History, world cultures and religions, and their connections to Art. Students will be able to imagine, research, plan, and create artworks from various countries and time periods. Projects can include Asian scroll painting, Aboriginal dot painting, Mexican mask-making and other interesting forms. 

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art I or Junior or senior status.

(Performanced-based courses with mandatory concerts serving as assessments)

Concert Chorus – #C10A/B                                                                        1 Credit Level*

The primary purposes of this course are the development of student musicianship and vocal technique, as well as the study and performance of a variety of musical styles through the medium of choral ensemble. The chorus will perform at two concerts a year, a Christmas concert and a spring pops concert. In addition, the chorus performs at all school liturgies, as well as additional performance opportunities throughout the year. This is a full year course, but semesters are negotiable pending approval from the music department.  Requirements for placement: Signature of the music teacher.

Drumline – #B34A                                                                                  1 Credit Level* 

Percussion students in grades 9-12 will work on drumline cadences, as well as additional percussion instruments.   Students will have many performance opportunities throughout the year, including athletic and admissions events. Students will also have the opportunity to perform with the school concert. This is a full year course, but semesters are negotiable pending approval from the music department. Requirements for placement:  Signature of the music teacher.

Concert Band – #B30A/B                                                                          1 Credit Level *

Students will perform advanced concert band repertoire of the highest quality. The band will perform at two concerts a year, a Christmas concert and a spring pops concert. In addition, the band will provide pep band music at sporting events and pep rallies, as well as additional performance opportunities throughout the year. This is a full year course, but semesters are negotiable pending approval from the music department.  Requirements for placement: Signature of the music teacher.

(Nonperformance-based courses utilizing in-class projects for assessments)

Music Appreciation – #B00A 0.5 Credit Level *

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of music theory and music history. Course content will span a wide range of time periods and musical styles. Topics will include the music industry, the role of technology in music production, songwriting, and lyrical analysis. Students will hone their creativity and critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of music.

Fine Arts Internship – #B90A 0.5 or 1.0 Credit Level *

This internship is intended to provide motivated students the opportunity to sample the field of music education. In this role, students will learn crucial skills like organization, time management, and working independently. Responsibilities will include maintaining an orderly music library, caring for the rehearsal space, and ensuring that student musicians are prepared to succeed in rehearsals. Students in this role will collaborate with the Music faculty on long-term projects as needed. Requirements: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status; previous participation in at least one semester of Music coursework; signature of Music Director.

IB Music (SL/HL) 1

IB Music (SL/HL) 1 is the first year of a two-year course in which students will build their musical understanding of theory, form, dynamics, and rhythm, as well as learning how these different concepts interact and relate in a musical context. Students will learn about elements of music from many diverse cultures and explore differences and similarities of the stylistic aspects of these cultures. These elements will be discussed broadly as well as specific to the student’s instrument of expertise.   The IB concepts of musical contexts and area of inquiry will also be introduced, as well as the roles of researcher, creator, and performer in the IB context. By the end of year one the students should have completed the “Exploring Music in Context” portfolio for internal assessment.  Requirements for placement:  Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student. 

IB Music (SL/HL) II                            1 Credit Level* 

IB Music (SL/HL) II is a continuation of IB Music I, with deeper exploration of the concepts introduced in IB Music I. Students will explore selecting music for different contexts, and how to make and justify musical decisions, as well as gain confidence in the essential processes of music making. Students will also focus on connecting theoretical studies to practical work and gain a deeper understanding of the music they engage with. Students will also explore music making in the 21st century by engaging with various forms of music technology. Much of the work in this class will be geared towards completing the “Experimenting with Music” and “Presenting Music” portfolios.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB Visual Art (SL) 1

IB Visual Art for the Diploma Programme (SL) is the first year of a two-year course in which students will build skills in drawing, painting, sculpting and critiquing art forms. The goal is to provide them with a variety of art experiences that prepare them for 2nd year assessments. Students will experiment with media and techniques, analyze, compare, and write about artworks from different cultures and time periods, document their individual interests and media explorations, critique and reflect on their own work, skillfully present those works, and ultimately allow these activities to direct their visual art journey.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an Must be enrolled as an IB student.  

IB Visual Art (SL) II 

IB Visual Art for the Diploma Programme (SL) 1I is a continuation of IB Visual Art 1. The goal in the second year is to build on and refine art and writing skills learned in year 1 of the course. Students will prepare for the three assessed portions of the course, which include The Comparative Study, The Process Portfolio and The Exhibit. Students will be coached and provided with individual assistance in completing and submitting these final components to IB examiners.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.