Media, Fine & Performing Arts

Students begin their music education with their general music classes K-6, where students will work on the basics of music understanding, including steady beat, movement, singing, reading music, performing on classroom instruments, music composition, and more. In the upper grades, general music will include the learning of recorder and ukulele as well. The will receive general music for 42 minutes, once per 6-day cycle.

In 3rd grade, students have the opportunity to begin a string instrument (i.e. violin, viola, cello, bass), and in 4th grade, students have the opportunity to begin band instrument (i.e. flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, etc.) and/or join chorus. Music ensembles meet before school for full group rehearsals, and instrumental students will be provided a lesson either before school, during their lunch period, or during their X-period. Students will perform in a beginner's concert  in May after to culminate their first year on an instrument, then Winter and Spring Concerts for all other ensembles. 

Jazz Band is an elective club that meets once a week at the elementary school, and is open to all music students to audition.

At the middle level, students will continue their general music experience in Music 7, or continue their ensemble performance class/classes (band, orchestra, chorus) in 7th grade. All music classes meet every other day, with sectionals that meet once a 6-day cycle, and students in performing ensembles have multiple concerts throughout the school year. 

Beginning Band and Beginning Orchestra is an opportunity for 7th grade students who have not learned an instrument in school to join the Band or Orchestra program. Students will be able to select instruments such as String Bass, Baritone, Bass Clarinet, and more (please note, percussion is not an option for the beginner program).

Music Theory is an 8th grade elective offered to enrich the music student's experience, where they will gain experience composition and music analysis.

Elective audition-only club ensembles include Jazz Band, Swing Choir, and Chamber Orchestra.

At the high school level, continue their ensemble performance class/classes (band, orchestra, chorus). All performance music classes meet every day, day, with sectionals that meet once a 6-day cycle, and students in performing ensembles have multiple concerts throughout the school year.

In regard to music electives, students may take Music Technology/Composition, a non-performing general music class, or the more advanced Music Theory (three levels are offered, including AP Music Theory).

Students are also able to audition for elective ensembles, including Swing Choir, Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, as well as apply to be a part of Tri-M, the music honor society.

Students begin their art education with their art class in grades 1-6, 2 times per 6-day cycle. This will be an opportunity for students to: develop a love for creative expression, an understanding of the importance of art, experience a variety of art media, experience an atmosphere for the child that allows for experimentation and expression, encourage positive interpersonal relationships within a safe environment, foster improved mind, eye, hand coordination, and learn how to reflect about works of art. Students will complete projects throughout the school year to complete these curricular goals.

The 7th and 8th grade art programs expand upon what students learned in elementary school, focusing on color theory, art vocabulary, 2-D design, 3-D design, art history, and computer technology.

The 8th grade Studio in Art is a high school level course designed for students who exhibit exceptional skills, knowledge and motivation in the area of Art.  The class runs through the year and meets every day, providing young artists with the opportunity to participate in more art experiences, and achieve their high school Art/Music credit while in middle school.  The curriculum is designed to go beyond the ten week 8th grade classroom art program, and give students a jump start on a high school

All students at the High School level begin with Studio in Art this foundation course is a survey of elements of art, including painting, drawing, 3D and art history. It serves as the pre-requisite for all other art courses and meets the Regents requirement. In addition, this course meets the state education requirements for one unit of credit in art and/or music.

AP Art History is an introductory college-level art history course that students may take at any point in their high school experience. Students cultivate their understanding of art history through analyzing works of art and placing them in historical context as they explore concepts like culture and cultural interactions, theories and interpretations of art, the impact of materials, processes, and techniques on art and art making, and understanding purpose and audience in art historical analysis.

In Cartooning, students will learn the basics of cartooning. Techniques will be learned to produce characters, the flip book, the animated walk, as well as others. Students will also compare and contrast between American cartooning studios - DC Marvel - with Japanese Manga and Anime. This course will give students a unique overview of the world of cartooning. 

In Drawing and Painting, students will develop the necessary skills required to create a work of art. Each student will learn how to work with a variety of media including: charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, acrylics and watercolors. Students will cover a number of drawing and painting topics such as figure, portraits, still life, abstract compositions and studies of classical art. Completed work will be of portfolio quality for those students who are pursuing an art career. 

Ceramics and Sculpture, students will explore the properties of clay and alternative ceramic and sculpture materials. Slab construction, coil methods and sculpture techniques will be introduced. Students will express creative visions in three-dimensional works of art. 

In Computer Animation and Graphics, students will utilize the latest computer programs within the Adobe Creative Suite; (Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash) students will learn the techniques used to produce generated animations. Concentration will be on the human figure and creating digital generated artwork. The combined programs will be used to produce multimedia creative, interactive presentations.

Advanced courses are offered in Drawing and Painting, Ceramics and Sculpture, and Photography. AP Courses are also offered in Drawing, Sculpture, and Photography.

Students will have the opportunity to audition for the school musical in 5th and 6th grade, or choose to be a participant in stage crew. They will receive a wonderful theatre and dance education through preparing and performing in a full-length musical theatre production. All 6th grade students are guaranteed to participate in the school's production through application and/or audition.

The Theatre Explorations 8 Elective is offered during the school day. In this course students view and construct dramatic works as metaphorical visions of life that embrace connotative meanings, juxtaposition, ambiguity, and varied interpretations. By creating, performing, analyzing, and critiquing dramatic performances, they develop a deeper understanding of personal issues and a broader worldview that includes global issues. Since theatre in all its forms reflects and affects life, students should learn about representative dramatic texts and performances and the place of that work and those events in history. 

Students in both 7th and 8th grade also have the opportunity to audition for the school musical, or choose to be a participant in stage crew. They will receive a wonderful theatre and dance education through preparing and performing in a full-length musical theatre production. All 8th grade students are guaranteed to participate in the school's production through application and/or audition.

At the high school level, students of all ability levels can participate in our theatre and dance programs. Theatre is a possible three year sequence, beginning with 'Elements of Acting' course, culminating with our 'Advanced Theatre Production' course.

In dance, students may take 'Choreography and Dance' to satisfy a Physical Education credit, or 'Fundamentals of Dance' in order to participate in the Spotlight on the Stars production.

All students are welcome at to participate in our productions throughout the year, including a fall drama, the student directed road show, and the spring musical. Student members of our Thespian Troupe (Theatre Honor Society) also participate in the Thespian Revue, and the Spotlight on the Stars production.

At the high school level, students of all ability levels can participate in our video production sequence of courses. 

In Video Production and Advanced Video Production, students will learn about the various aspects of digital media including: Editing, Filmmaking, Television Production, and Podcasting. 

In Broadcasting and Advanced Broadcasting, students will be producing projects like a real-world Newsroom, highlighting the school and the town of Oceanside. Each student will be assigned a position. The positions include: News Director, Managing Editor, Technical Director, Reporters, Staff Writers, Anchors, Producer, Editing room staff, Sub-editors , Camera Operators, Graphic designers, and Lighting director.