Art I-.5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: None Open to Grades: 9 – 12 Art I is an introductory course that focuses on building skills, knowledge and creative thinking. Students will gain experience and a better understanding of art and artists through art history, art criticism and studio production. This class is required for entry into other art courses at Highland High School. 

Art II- .5 unit 18 weeks.  Course Fee Prerequisite: Art I. This is a continuation of Art I  and will give students their full fine arts credit and a firm foundation for all other art classes. Printmaking,  sculpture, painting, and digital art are a few of the processes covered.

Three Dimensional Design I .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Art I -3D I is an introduction to the three hand-building techniques of clay. From simple to elaborate forms, students will express themselves through the medium of clay. The science of clay will be studied. Various ceramic artists, clay bodies and glazing techniques will be explored. 

Three Dimensional Design II .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Three Dimensional Design I -Open to Grades: 10 – 12 3D II builds on the knowledge and experience gained in 3D I. The focus is on creating sculptural art in a variety of mediums including; clay, wire, paper-mache and stone-carving. Students will be exposed to the potter’s wheel and gain confidence in themselves as artists. 

Advanced Three Dimensional Design III .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Three Dimensional Design II Open to Grades: 11 - 12 Advanced 3D builds on the knowledge and experience gained in 3D I & II. The focus is on creating ceramic and sculpture art in a variety of mediums including: clay, wire, paper-mache and stone carving. Students will gain experience on the potter’s wheel and develop confidence in themselves as artists. Emphasis will be on artistic expression through 3-D media. 

Advanced Three Dimensional Design IV .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Adv. Three Dimensional Design III Open to Grades: 11 - 12 Advanced 3D builds on the knowledge and experience gained in 3D III. The focus is on creating ceramic and sculpture art in a variety of mediums including: clay, wire, paper-mache and stone carving. Students will gain experience on the potter’s wheel and develop confidence in themselves as artists. Emphasis will be on artistic expression through 3-D media. 

Drawing and Painting I .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Art I. Drawing and Painting is a class that focuses on developing fundamental two-dimensional techniques and mediums. Students will work with pencils, charcoal, pastels, colored pencils as well as watercolor, acrylics, and oils. Elements of art and principals of design will be investigated through these mediums. Color theory will be introduced as well as drawing from observation and drawing the human figure. Representational as well as expressive work will be the beginning of a portfolio. 

Drawing and Painting II .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Drawing & Painting I Open to Grades: 10 – 12 Drawing and Painting II builds on the skills and knowledge from Drawing and Painting I.  

Advanced Drawing & Painting III .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Drawing & Painting II Open to Grades: 11 – 12 This is a bonus class for students who have room for multiple art classes, it is often combined with Advanced art or AP art. Advanced Drawing & Painting III is offered for students who want to continue developing their drawing and painting skills from Drawing & Painting II. Breadth of subject matter and meaning will be explored through two dimensional works. The student will have more independent choices with media and prepare a portfolio of work that demonstrates mastery of technique along with personal meaning. 

Advanced Drawing & Painting IV .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Adv. Drawing & Painting III Open to Grades: 11 – 12 Advanced Drawing & Painting IV is offered for students who want to continue developing their drawing and painting skills from Drawing & Painting III. 

Photography I .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Art II Open to Grades: 10 – 12 This is a general photography course that will introduce the basic parts of the camera and how to use them to create better pictures. Film developing and processing and a general history of photography will be covered as well. There will be a focus on presentation and composition. Each student will need a manual camera (a 35-mm SLR camera). 

Photography II .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Photography I Open to Grades: 10 – 12 This is an advanced class that will explore more about photography and its many possibilities. The students will learn numerous ways of manipulating the medium so as to create new and unique images. Presentation and artistic content will be emphasized. 

Advanced Photography III .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Photography II Open to Grades: 11 – 12 The focus of this class is to create a portfolio of photographic work. Students will work independently within the other photography courses and may be asked to assist those students. Photographic work will involve both digital and film and will look the work of contemporary artists and the impact of their work. 

Advanced Photography IV .5 unit 18 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Adv. Photography III Open to Grades: 11 – 12 Students will build on content and knowledge from Adv. Photography III. The focus of this class is to create a portfolio of photographic work. Students will work independently within the other photography courses and may be asked to assist those students. Photographic work will involve both digital and film and will look the work of contemporary artists and the impact of their work. 

Advanced Studio Art 1 unit 36 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting II Open to Grades: 11 – 12 Advanced Studio Art is a class for students who are interested in working towards developing a portfolio for college admission (pre-AP). This class encourages mastery of technical skills, breadth of subject matter and expression of personal meaning. Students will learn to document their work and will be encouraged to enter art shows and competitions. Students will complete quality pieces suitable to be used in an AP portfolio the following year. 

AP Art History* 1 unit 36 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: None. Open to Grades: 10 – 12 The AP Art History course explores such topics as the nature of art, its uses, its meanings, art making, and responses to art. Through investigation of diverse artistic traditions of cultures from pre-history to the present, the course fosters in-depth and holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms, constructing understanding of individual works and interconnections of art-making processes and products throughout art history. This class is the equivalent to two semesters of introductory college art survey classes. This course is recommended for 10th -12th grade students who have been successful in history, literature, or studio art classes. AP Test fee is approximately $95. *Weighted grading scale used. 

AP Studio Art: 2D* or Drawing 1 unit 36 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: By teacher recommendation Open to Grade: 12 or by teacher invitation to 11th. The Advanced Placement art course is for highly motivated students who wish to produce college-level art work. The guidelines of this course will follow those of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board.  Students will be responsible to prepare for this course by completing summer assignments. Extended time outside of class is necessary for a successful portfolio. The cost of the AP test is approximately $95. *Weighted grading scale is used. 

AP Studio Art: 3D* 1 unit 36 wks. Course Fee Prerequisite: By teacher recommendation Open to Grade: 12 The Advanced Placement art course is for highly motivated seniors who wish to produce college-level art work. The guidelines of this course will follow those of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students may be responsible to prepare for this course by completing summer assignments. Extended time outside of class is necessary for a successful portfolio. The cost of the AP test is approximately $95. *Weighted grading scale is used.