Minimum of 45 Hours (.5 Credit) per year for three years (Minimum of 135 Total)*.

• Students who start the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Grade 9:  Must complete their requirement each year prior to their Senior year.

• Students who start the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Grade 10: Must complete their requirement each year, with the full requirement met prior to their Graduation.

*The total hours for students who were in the high school program prior to the 2022-2023 School Year will be higher due to different minimum requirements in previous years.

Students may exceed the minimum requirement of hours in any given school year.

• Students who start the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Grade 9: Hours that exceed the minimum requirement MAY NOT be transferred from one school year to the next.

• Students who start the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Grade 10: Hours that exceed the minimum requirement MAY be transferred from one school year to the next (to accommodate the demands of additional programmatic requirements during their Senior year).

Some Primes have more specific guidelines pertaining to Apex+ requirements, and may require more than 45 hours per year.

Unless specified by Prime specific Apex+ requirements, students may complete their 45 hour requirement through any combination of Applied Art, Project, and Virtual Lab courses.

APPLIED ARTS. Artists hone their foundation by employing the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor. Students can expect to hone their skills, acquire new techniques, and build their portfolios. These courses are Prime specific, unless otherwise designated as open to students from all primes. Students may opt in to courses outside of their prime, but experience is highly recommended. 

PROJECTS. Artists engage in projects that emphasize the creative process through opportunities designed to expand their creative lens through collaboration, community engagement, and multiple performance and presentation avenues. These courses are open to students from all primes. Enrollment and eligibility requirements vary among project offerings. When committing to a project, you are committing to not only class sessions, but full collaboration and a mandatory presentation/performance.

VIRTUAL LAB. Virtual Lab projects are offered as independent work in an asynchronous virtual module format through Brightspace, allowing students flexibility to opt in to their choice of project(s) at the time of their choice. Virtual Lab modules are equivalent to one face-to-face class meeting, up to 1 hr and 15 min.

SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECTS. Artists in Grade 12 Capstone courses may cast underclassmen in their pieces/projects. Under the mentorship of a teacher, underclassmen can earn Apex+ credit for the rehearsals and performances they are involved in. Hours must be recorded and submitted by the mentor teacher.

EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE OF THEIR PRIME CLASS REQUIREMENTS. Performance opportunities with afternoon/evening hours, field trips with afternoon/evening hours, festivals, etc. that are outside of a students daytime or Apex+ requirements is a way in which a student can earn Apex+ credit. Hours must be recorded and submitted by a prime arts teacher. 

APEX ARTS SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. Volunteering is a great way to gain personal and professional experience. Throughout the year, there are opportunities for students to volunteer to assist with Apex Arts-sanctioned events such as auditions, information sessions, open houses, and performance assistance. Hours must be submitted by a Apex Arts Department Chairperson, Apex+ Specialist, Studio 39 Assistant Principal or Studio 39 Production Manager. 

• Exemplary student participation is expected. Failure to participate may result in forfeiture of hours or being dropped from a course without credit. Likewise, credit for a course is only applied at the successful conclusion. Dropped courses result in forfeiture of hours.

• Poor behavior and/or attendance can result in a student being dropped from a course without credit. 

• Students who have been dropped from a class without credit must still complete their minimum Apex+ hours. 

• Students who do not meet Apex+ requirements may be placed on probationary status and/or could be exited from the program.