Beginning 

Standards are for students with no or limited K-8 progression in the arts education discipline (dance, music, theatre arts, or visual arts). 

Intermediate 

Standards are for students who have had a complete K-8 progression or who have achieved beginning level standards in the discipline at the high school level. 

Proficient 

Standards are for students who have achieved intermediate level standards in the discipline at the high school level. 

Advanced

Standards are for students who have achieved proficient level standards in the discipline at the high school

Dance (Beginning) 5115 | Prerequisite: None 

Students study the body in motion by exploring the elements of dance: space, time, and energy. Students develop an awareness of the body as an instrument for self-expression, learn about the benefits of dance for healthful living, and study the role of dance in other cultures and in different historical periods. 

Dance (Intermediate) 5116 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Dance and audition with the teacher 

Students focus on developing their dance technique, exploring dance as a performing art, and learning about anatomy as it applies to technique and injury prevention. Group and solo choreographic assignments help students apply their knowledge of dance: its technique, history, and connection to other art forms. 

Dance (Proficient) [Honors] 5117 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Intermediate Dance and audition with the teacher 

The emphasis in this class is on technical development and on learning how to combine movements and perform them rhythmically and fluidly using a variety of dynamic qualities. Through more complex choreographic studies and improvisation, students learn to construct expressive phrases and combine them to create short dances. This course focuses on more advanced techniques, building choreography, and the study of dance history. 

Dance (Advanced) [Honors] 5418 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Proficient Dance and audition with the teacher 

These courses continue to focus on technique, improvisation, and choreography. Students study dance history, learn to describe, analyze, and critique dance works from different cultures and times. Dance research focuses on how dance reflects the culture and time period in which they originate. Students will study 20th Century dance by exploring traditional approaches to Choreography and interdisciplinary dance works using media technology. Students are becoming dance artists: performers and choreographers. They will create solo and group choreographic works that include costuming, production, and lighting. Teachers will assist students with audition videos, as needed for application to dance schools or departments.

Theatre Arts 

Theatre Arts (Beginning) 5315 | Prerequisite: None Students will experience creative dramatics, mime, reader’s theater, interpretive movement, and oral interpretation as they explore the actor’s craft. In addition, they will learn how directing, theatre history, and theatre management contribute to a stage production. Behind the scenes, students explore how costumes, makeup, props, and scenery along with special effects, lighting, and sound bring magic to the stage. 

Theatre Arts (Intermediate) 5316 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Theatre Arts and audition with the teacher 

This course further develops the skills and vocabulary learned in Beginning Theatre. Through classroom scene work and the study of acting techniques in different historical periods, students will refine their acting skills. Participating in ensemble acting and student directed opportunities to portray a variety of roles. Students will learn how to critique their own and others’ performances and will continue learning about technical theatre and theatre management. They will perform scene work and original work. 

Theatre Arts (Proficient) [Honors] 5317 | Prerequisites: Mastery of Intermediate Theatre Arts, classification as a junior or a senior, and placement audition with the teacher 

The focus of this class is on learning how to direct. Once students select their scene, they will analyze the script, audition actors from among their classmates, plan rehearsals, make decisions about blocking, and develop a plan for set and 

lighting design. Each student directed scene will be showcased for a live audience. This course involves in-depth application of theater arts knowledge, skills, and processes. Students will study a variety of playwrights and different historical periods. 

Theatre Arts (Advanced) [Honors] 5318 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Proficient Theatre Arts and audition with the teacher These advanced acting ensembles focus on student-created productions which include writing scripts, acting in each other’s productions, developing the assigned characters, learning advanced movement techniques, and overseeing of all aspects of their productions. Students will continue their study of the different styles of theater, film and television and learn more about the business of professional acting. Students continue to refine adapting works from different historical periods, and researching different acting styles. Students will have opportunities to prepare a performance for competition and/or for a showcase. Students function as a performance and production ensemble. 

Technical Theatre 

Theatre Arts Specialization (Beginning) 5361: Beginning Technical Theatre | Prerequisite: None In this hands-on course, students study current trends in technical theatre and learn how to design lighting, sound, sets, props, and costumes. Some time outside of class is required for school related productions. 

Theatre Arts Specialization (Intermediate) 5362: Intermediate Technical Theatre | Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Technical Theatre 

Students refine Beginning Technical Theatre skills and perform in leadership positions on production crews, which will require time outside of class. 

Theatre Arts Specialization (Proficient) [Honors] 5362: Proficient Technical Theatre [Honors] | Prerequisite: Mastery of Intermediate Theatre Arts or 90 hours after school crew work or teacher recommendation 

Students refine their skills with lighting and sound, sets, props, and costumes. They will select one of these crew fields to be their specialization. Participation on a tech crew requires time outside of class. 

Theatre Arts Specialization (Advanced) [Honors] 5362: Advanced Technical Theatre [Honors] | Prerequisites: Mastery of Proficient Theatre Arts, teacher recommendation for Crew Chief position 

Students will specialize in a crew/designer position and will be responsible for all the duties of their position for the entire production season. Students will demonstrate increased leadership, inventiveness in solving problems and creating designs responsive to the artistic vision of the director. Participation on a tech crew requires time outside of class. 

Visual Arts (Beginning) 5415 | Prerequisite: None 

Students will experience 2D media, such as drawing, painting, and design, and basic 3D media. Using the elements of art and principles of design, they will complete technique assignments and create their own work. Students will learn to analyze visual images, critique their own artwork and the artwork of others, and write short essays about a variety of visual art topics while studying the basics of Art History. 

Visual Arts (Intermediate) 5416 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Visual Arts 

Students will learn to use more sophisticated techniques as they complete projects using 2D and 3D media. Assigned projects will develop the artistic problem solving abilities of the students and call upon them to use their design skills with greater inventiveness. Written work focuses on art criticism, topics in art history, and aesthetic awareness. 

Visual Arts (Proficient) [Honors] 5417 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Intermediate Visual Arts 

Students will begin building a portfolio of their work using a variety of media. In building a portfolio students create work that demonstrates their increasing command of the elements of art and design principles and conveys a clear sense of their developing personal style. Students will continue their study of art appreciation, criticism, and aesthetics. Students will also study individual artists with the goal of analyzing how they reflect the historical conditions and arts trends of their time. 

Visual Arts (Advanced) [Honors] 5418 | Prerequisite: Mastery of Proficient Visual Arts 

Students will work to assemble a high quality portfolio suitable for submission as part of an art school application. Students will refine their artistic problem solving skills using a variety of media and techniques as they create 20 high quality works by the end of the class. Students will also continue their study of contemporary art and should expect to spend time outside of class working on their portfolios and completing written assignments.

AP Studio Art: 3D Design 5454 (Yearlong)

Prerequisite: Proficient Art OR Portfolio Review/Interview

This is a year long course in which students will submit a portfolio to the AP College Board to earn College credit. Students will independently create a portfolio based on a central theme developed by a student focusing on Ideas, Materials, and Processes. Grades will be based on creation of pieces as well as critiques and sketchbooks. 

Visual Arts Specialization (Intermediate) 5462: Sculpture I | Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Visual Arts

This course focuses on creating sculptures using 3D media, such as clay, cardboard, found objects, metal, and more. Students will explore hand-building skills and will learn construction techniques that can be used with a variety of materials. Grades will be based on projects, sketchbooks, and other materials. There is an additional required course fee of $30.00.

Vocal Music (Beginning) 5230: Beginning Women’s Choir, Beginning Men’s Choir, Beginning Mixed Choir | Prerequisite: None, but students may sing for the instructor to ensure correct placement 

In these courses students will sing songs from today’s popular music as well as songs from other times and other cultures. Students will develop skills with music reading and ear training as they learn to listen critically to music and evaluate its significance. 

Vocal Music (Intermediate) 5231: Intermediate Women’s Choir, Intermediate Men’s Choir, Intermediate Mixed Choir | Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Vocal Music and audition with the teacher 

These courses continue to build on the comprehensive music education program introduced in Beginning Vocal Music. Students broaden their knowledge of different musical genres and will have opportunities to perform alone and in ensembles. 

Vocal Music (Proficient) [Honors] 5232: Proficient Women’s Choir, Proficient Men’s Choir, Proficient Mixed Choir | Prerequisite: Mastery of Intermediate Vocal Music and audition with the teacher 

These courses are for students who want to improve their vocal technique and increase their knowledge of music. Students will perform music of varying degrees of difficulty and work to improve accuracy in sight singing. Singers may perform alone and in ensembles. 

Vocal Music (Advanced) [Honors] 5233: Advanced Women’s Choir, Advanced Men’s Choir, Advanced Mixed Choir | Prerequisite: Mastery of Proficient Vocal Music or audition with teacher 

In these courses, students refine their musical skills through the rigorous study of music theory, history, appreciation, and analysis. Students will improve their vocal technique, accuracy with sight singing, and ability to perform solo and ensemble music. In addition to class work, students will attend musical events, complete special projects, and write reports.