Art 1 is a multimedia experience and the first step into high school art. Students will work to master the Visual Art Vocabulary and develop a strong understanding of how to work through the Artistic Process.
Utilizing the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, students will develop ideas from start to finish and will develop skills in a variety of mediums (drawing, painting, digital, 3D, printmaking, etc).
The course will include a focus on art history, art critique, and developing skills in writing about art. This class is a prerequisite to Art 2 and IB Visual Arts.
Students will continue developing and mastering their skills in the visual arts. By continuing to develop their fluency in the Visual Art Vocabulary, students will become better equipped to produce, refine, critique, and interpret visual artworks.
This course takes a stronger focus on art history, writing about art, and working with more independence. Students will continue to develop skills in a variety of 2D and 3D mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, and 3D arts. Students will be provided with a sketchbook, but may choose to provide additional materials when desired.
Purchase of food and other supplies is required for participation in this class.
This course focuses on developing students’ understanding of the history of the culinary industry as well as examining proper identification, preparation, and evaluation of basic culinary ingredients.
Students will learn the principles of cooking as well as proper cooking methods for different products. Basic math skills necessary for recipe conversions will be introduced as well as writing standard recipes. Students will put into practice concepts and knowledge discussed in the theory class. Students will learn basic cooking techniques, how to use a knife, a scale, and properly identify and use other kitchen equipment.
The course focuses on sauces, soups, rice, pasta, vegetables, meats, fish and proteins, baking, and salads, as well as Latin-American, Japanese, and Italian cuisines. Appropriate plating and presentation methods will also be addressed.
This course is sponsored by the Swiss Education Group.
Important Notes:
Students who plan to enter as a full IB student in grade 11 may apply to take culinary in grade 10.
Students can be denied entrance to this course if they have a history of behavior or attendance issues.
This course is an introduction to the art of creative writing and publishing. Class participants will write and revise pieces in a number of genres including personal essays, short stories, poetry, and media, and we will also be dabbling in emerging alternative genres. The central focus of the class will be on various processes for creating, using mentor texts as inspiration and models, and learning from providing and listening to feedback. Most important, however, will be learning to engage in a supportive creative community that empowers individual curiosity, and artistic risk-taking. Students have to have a C grade or higher in English in order to qualify for this class.
This course will allow students to build on the foundations learned during Creative Writing 1. The course will continue to focus on the art of creative writing and publishing but go deeper into selected topics. Students will revisit some of the genres from Creative Writing 1 with added challenges in order to expand their skills and abilities. Writers will be given considerable freedom to explore topics and genres that they are most passionate about.
This course will be self-directed and allow students to explore their favorite genres from CW1 and CW2 in more detail. This course will allow students the creative freedom to push themselves to craft larger pieces of written work or a collected body of work. During this course, students will work on 2-3 major projects that speak to their creativity with a heavy emphasis on outside publication.
Advanced Band is open to wind players and percussionists only. Classroom activities are designed to develop elements of musicianship including tone production, technical skills, intonation, music reading skills, listening skills, analyzing music, and integration of other applicable disciplines such as sight-reading and correct responses to a conductor’s suggestions. Students study a varied repertoire of developmentally appropriate concert band literature. There is periodic classroom assessment to monitor student progress. Private lessons are strongly encouraged but not required. Practicing at home is expected. Students must have previous band experience.
Students can take Band for multiple years.
Music Production and Technology is a cutting-edge course designed for aspiring music producers, audio engineers, and sound designers seeking to master the art of creating professional-quality music in the digital age. This comprehensive program covers the essentials of music theory, composition, and arrangement, while delving deep into the technical aspects of music production, including mixing, mastering, sound synthesis, and audio processing. Utilizing the latest software and hardware tools, students will learn to record, edit, and produce music across various genres, from electronic dance music to classical compositions. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, with projects and assignments that mirror real-world music production scenarios. Whether you're looking to launch your career in the music industry, enhance your skills as a musician, or simply explore the possibilities of music technology, this course offers the knowledge and experience you need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of music production.
Students must have patience, a collaborative spirit, a willingness to learn music theory and vocal technique, and be able to match pitch 100% of the time to be placed in this ensemble. The ability to sing harmony while others are singing a different voice part than them is a bonus but not required for entry into this class. One of our main goals is to create a unified sound, and this creation is dependent on every single student putting in their full effort and focus. Performances will occur periodically throughout the year and attendance is required.
In Theatre Arts 1, students focus on mastering basic drama skills which are universally applicable. Through participation in drama exercises, improvisation and theatre games, students train in creativity and collaboration and develop the vocal, physical, and mental skills necessary to act in and to produce plays. Students may audition for the school play or musical as an outside extension of their studies.
In Theatre Arts I students focus on the development of skills and the study of drama which includes a survey of theatre history.
In Theatre Arts 2 & 3, students continue to perfect those drama skills introduced in Theatre Arts I, but assignments are of longer duration and greater sophistication. Students delve more deeply into the areas explored in Theatre Arts I and are involved in producing performances for the public. All areas of theatre arts are explored, including live performance, show production, and set/makeup/costume design.
Writing and in-class presentations are an integral part of the course, providing students with the chance to reflect on their work. Students are required to participate in the major Semester 1 all-school production AND in an in-class student-directed Spring production. NOTE: A minimum of 30 hours after school rehearsal is required in semester 1.
Course Overview:
This engaging and hands-on filmmaking course is designed for students interested in the essential elements of film production, focusing specifically on acting for the camera, screenplay writing, storyboarding, and directing. Students will explore the art of storytelling and character development while learning how to effectively express their vision on screen.
Key Components:
Screenplay Writing: Develop original scripts that highlight unique narratives and compelling characters.
Storyboarding: Create visual plans for your films, mapping out scenes and camera angles to enhance storytelling.
Acting for Camera: Learn techniques for performing in front of the camera, including character interpretation and emotional delivery.
Directing: Gain insights into the directing process, guiding actors and orchestrating performances to bring scripts to life.
Showcase Event:
At the end of the course, students will present their work in a showcase event, featuring performances and readings of their original screenplays in front of a jury
of local filmmakers and industry professionals. This event will provide valuable feedback and recognition for each student's creative efforts. Join us in this exciting filmmaking journey and discover the power of storytelling through performance!