Guitar develops instrumental musicianship through playing and performing. Students learn guitar technique, basic elements of music theory, and critical listening skills, while at the same time studying how to play their personal favourite songs. From classical to jazz, Flamenco to rock, students will apply their learning through diverse genres and styles.

This course leads to career pathways as:

• Music producer

• Performer/musician

• Audio engineer

• Music therapist

• Composer/arranger

• Film/video game composer

• Teacher/conductor

Instrumental Music (Band) is an extension of the music skills gained in junior high. Emphasis is placed on performing a diverse range of high quality repertoire, developing listening and theoretical skills to interact thoughtfully with music, and learning about contemporary and historical music making from around the world. 

Students entering Instrumental Music 10 should have at least 2 years of junior high band experience or other music study.

"Something special about band is how your friends become a sort of family. Band isnt like most classes, where you only see your classmates for 1 semester. The friends you make here will last through out the rest of high school."

Jade R, gr 12

Fashion Industry (Illustration & Design) 20 and 30 is available for any student interested in learning about fashion evolution and illustration as well as the fashion and retail industries and careers. This is a two course sequence (5-credits at both the 20 and 30 level) that introduces students to the fashion and garment industry while completing projects using illustrations and other media and may afford opportunities for students who create wearable art with/without sewing.

There are no prerequisites at the 20 level (students in Grade 10 may enrol in the 20 level).  Note, the 30 level course contributes  5-credits towards the diploma requirement at the 30-level and in option courses.

"This class showed me that it's never impossible to do something when you work hard on it. I also learned to be creative and see stories when I look at art because of this class. My favourite project was the paper doll project because I could do unlimited things with magazine pages."

Ilayda G - Grade 11

Digital Design and Communication 10 provides exposure to design, communication, and aesthetics. Students will be introduced to a variety of areas in digital design and communication, using industry standard equipment and software. Design and Communications 10 is the prerequisite to either Digital and Graphic Design 20 and/or Broadcasting and Communications 20. 

• • Digital and Graphic Design 20 and 30 explores digital graphic tools to generate content (e.g., text, images, video, animations) and design a product (e.g., web page, social media, packaging) implementing industry standards, equipment, and software.

This course leads to career pathways in:

• Marketing

• Branding

• Video game, industrial, landscape, fashion, mechanical design

• Digital art

• Printing & publishing, advertising

• Social media, web design, stage design, sound design

• Performance & installation design

Urban Design introduces students to the ideas, principles, and methods of solving architectural, community, and city problems and how to design solutions. Concepts such as form, function, structure, lines, pattern, and flow are explored in interior, landscape, and architectural design. Students will present solutions using sketching, CAD (computer assisted drafting), technical drafting, and 3D Modelling.

This course leads to career pathways in:

• Architecture

• Sculpture

• Curator

• Historian

• Urban Planning

• Human Geography

Visual Arts explores various mediums and techniques such as drawing, painting and sculpture. Students develop an understanding of the elements and principles of art and design and develop skills that will help them represent their ideas successfully. 

Visual Arts AP extends the Visual Arts program to further develop the skills of artists and designers. Students create a portfolio of artwork for the AP Art and Design Program. Students will select their area of interest (AP 2-D Art and Design or AP 3-D Art and Design or AP Drawing), and submit their finished work to the AP College Board for assessment.

This course leads to career pathways in:

• Design: digital, gaming, industrial, interior, urban

• Illustrator/Animation/3D Rendering

• Advertising

• Artist

• Researcher

• Architect

• Sculptor

• Curator (museums, galleries)

• Historian