Fine, Visual and Performing Arts Courses

This course exposes students to a variety of methods and materials as they are introduced to basic drawing and design skills, critique methodologies, aesthetic appreciation, critical thinking, and aspects of art history and culture. They experiment with a variety of media including, but not limited to, ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, and crafts.

This course allows students to further build their skills and knowledge as they continue to explore a variety of media that employs the elements and principles of art and continue to develop their knowledge of design, critique, and aesthetics. The more complex assignments allow for greater concentration and personal growth.

Pre-requisite: Applied Art and Design I

This advanced course encourages craftsmanship and self-expression. Visual problem solving is emphasized and creative solutions of specific assignments are promoted as students continue to develop original design applications, aesthetic awareness, and learn critique methodologies through innovative application. Experimentation of new media is encouraged. and technology and the proper handling and safe usage of art materials is incorporated.

Pre-requisite: Applied Art and Design II

This advanced course challenges students to further push their creative potential using the media of their choice. They are encouraged to be independent in the creation of their design pieces and are expected to explain their thought process, methods, and usage of media. Students develop a concentration in an area of personal interest and create a portfolio which highlights their strengths as artists which can be used for college entrance.

Pre-requisite: Applied Art and Design III / Teacher Recommendation

This is an entry level course for students who are interested in exploring their creative side. In the art studio, students acquire new skills and build upon existing knowledge through hands-on experiences. Projects are differentiated to address multiple skill and interests. Students learn how to use an array of drawing, painting, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional media. They use advanced techniques that allow the creation of sophisticated works, are encouraged to interpret themes in a manner that gives their work a personal voice, and develop original concepts for their subject matter. Utilizing current technology, projects in this course are correlated to relevant contemporary art and art history. Students develop a portfolio of work and gain a strong foundation to prepare them for the challenges of further study.

Students further enhance their skills and build upon existing knowledge through additional differentiated projects that address multiple skills and interests.

Prerequisite: Fine Arts I

This advanced level course is designed for serious art students and prepares them for AP Art and Design as well as assisting them with creating a pre-admission college portfolio. Students refine existing art skills, develop techniques, and experience a studio environment and execute independent art projects.

This advanced level course is designed for serious art students who are passionate about creating original artwork. It begins with a review of elements of art, principles of design, and observational drawing. Projects examine art history, contemporary art, career opportunities, interpretation of theme, developing a personal voice, and involve observational work such as life drawing from a model, still life, drawing from nature and the environment, portraits, and working from personal images rather than commercial images.

Advanced Painting Honors is a course that will allow students the ability to create, develop and grow their skills in the field of painting. Students will be able to identify relationships of different color schemes and how they can be incorporated into a unique design and composition, how to mix and apply colors, and be introduced to the expressionist and interpretive use of color. In this class, students will use the semester to master a skill set and demonstrate growth of painting techniques used by the Great Masters. It is the first of its kind to resemble a college level course where students will work in a studio atmosphere critiquing and analyzing their own body of work. Students will be exposed in particular to techniques, formats and materials that have not been covered in less advanced classes. Students will be graded on the sophistication, development and presentation of their work as per a rubric for each project has been designed. (Arts Academy Students first preference - offered at HS North only)

Prerequisite: Fine Arts I or Applied Arts I

Advanced Drawing Honors is an opportunity for Arts Academy students to hone their skills and focus on observational (still life, figure, skeleton, etc.), perspective, and advanced drawing methods. Drawing is the foundation for all art; experience creates confidence which translates to better paintings, prints, murals, etc. In this semester-long course, you will gain a working knowledge of basic principles and techniques of drawing in a studio setting. Drawing technique includes: creating value systems through shading and highlights, linear perspective, proportion, and composition (balance, point of view). Materials include but are not limited to pencil, pastel, Conte, charcoal, and ink. . (Arts Academy Students first preference - offered at HS North only)

Prerequisite: Fine Arts I or Applied Arts I

Students are challenged to create original and sophisticated drawings, 2-dimensional, or 3-dimensional expressive and unified compositions in the media of their choice. They work toward fulfillment of the requirements of the College Board—i.e., a digital portfolio and submission of five actual works. It is expected that work begun in class be completed at home. By working with artistic integrity toward mastery in concept and composition, this course is equivalent to a first-year college art class.

College Credit may be earned from Seton Hall University.

Prerequisite: Fine Arts I & II and teacher recommendation

*Summer packets are provided to students by the teacher and will be available on the school website so that students may prepare for the course. The intent is for all students to take the Advanced Placement exam.

*Based on enrollment, AP courses may only be offered at one high school. Transportation will be provided.

This cross-cultural course is designed for students who have a passion for interpreting art and learning about its origins. Concept mapping, thematic instruction, and summative assessment are utilized as students study basic art history terminology and tools, recognize/appreciate artistic process, and develop understanding of the purpose and function of art throughout history.

Summer packets are provided to students by the teacher and will be available on the school website so that students may prepare for the course. The intent is for all students to take the Advanced Placement exam.

*Summer packets are provided to students by the teacher and will be available on the school website so that students may prepare for the course. The intent is for all students to take the Advanced Placement exam.

*Based on enrollment, AP courses may only be offered at one high school. Transportation will be provided.

This course provides freshmen and sophomores an introductory level of dance instruction. It emphasizes the development of dance techniques in various dance genres, such as Jazz, Tap, Modern & Ballet. Students participate in a dance ensemble and are challenged to strive toward a higher performance level. They develop self-discipline and teamwork through group movement studies and repetition and are exposed to dance history and terminology. Concepts and techniques developed are showcased in a culminating performance toward the end of the school year.

This course is open only to students in the Arts Academy

This course provides juniors and seniors with opportunities to acquire further knowledge, skills, and experience in dance arts as well as a greater focus on the growth and development of the individual dancer through technique study, performance, and choreography experience including individual performance pieces and ensemble direction. Content studies continue in the areas of terminology, acquisition of technique and flexibility, movement sequences through combinations and routines, teacher choreography, student choreography, performance opportunities, social, cultural and historical dance connections, aesthetics and critical analysis of artistic performances and dance applications to life. The concepts and techniques developed are showcased in a culminating performance toward the end of the school year.

This course is open only to students in the Arts Academy.

Prerequisite: Dance I Honors

Dance is the art of transforming images, ideas, and feelings into movement. It is a balance of skills, technique, mindsets; all culminating to promote functional fitness. Dance enhances self-esteem development, health and wellness through core fitness competencies. The course is designed similar to a physical dance workout class to promote appreciation and interest in health, fitness, mindfulness and personal well-being through dance; establishing a personal health centered lifestyle. Shifting the focus of dance from a performance based to a personal growth and development course affords students the opportunity to explore the facets of dance arts studies in a new light. Concentrations include but are not limited to:

· Healthy Habits

· Physical Fitness

· Mindfulness

· Body Strength

· Core Strength

· Flexibility

· Agility/Coordination

· Endurance

· Balance

· Improved Posture

· Higher Self-Esteem

· Confidence

· Social Activity

This course is open only to students in the Arts Academy.( Offered at HS North Only)

Prerequisite - none

The course is designed to give the musical theatre performer the opportunity to be immersed in a more focused bodily kinesthetic concentrated experience where the vocal and theatrical skills blend more proficiently with basic physical dance techniques through proper training in a variety of dance disciplines. Students will experience the blended structure behind stage choreography and insight into showmanship and performance through choreography. Students will explore a number of dance genres/disciplines integral to stage performance that propose the ability to blend characterization and vocalization with physical movement. (Arts Academy Students first preference - offered at HS North only)

Prerequisite - none