Foundation Level Courses
All Foundation Level Courses meet the one unit graduation requirement for Art/Music
Students may only take one of the three foundation level courses as they all constitute the same credit.
All Foundation Level Courses will include
studio projects to develop expression through visual media
Study of contemporary and master artists
Exploration of various mediums
Exploration of art as expression throughout time
Supplies & Materials:
Most materials will be supplied by the art teacher. However, students may be asked to purchase sketch books, flash drives, film & photo paper or other personal art materials. If purchasing supplies is a barrier to enrolling in a specific course, please reach out to your school counselor.
All art courses promote:
Creativity and Innovation
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Communication and Collaboration
Graduation Requirements
Regents Diploma
The 1 unit art/music required for a Regents Diploma is supported by any Foundation Level Course:
Studio in Art: Fine Arts
Studio in Art: Crafts
Studio in Art: Electronic Media
Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation
A 5-Unit Pathway in Visual Arts will support a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation beginning with a Foundation Level Course.
Pathway for Prospective Art Students
Since the vast majority of art schools require a Fine Art Portfolio (one which includes observational drawings) for admission and scholarship consideration, early in the Senior year, this order of sequenced courses is recommended for any students interested in careers in: fine arts, ceramic design, sculpture, commercial design, computer graphic design, art education, art therapy, industrial design, fashion design, landscape design, architecture, photo, film & animation. Students pursuing this pathway will keep all classroom and sketchbook assignments and bring that portfolio of work from course to course.
Studio in Art: Fine Arts, Crafts, Electronic Media = 1 Unit
Drawing & Painting I = 1 Unit
Drawing & Painting II = 1 Unit
Integrated Studio and/or AP Studio = 1 Unit / 1 Unit
Sculpture, Ceramics, Graphic Design, or Photo = 1 Unit
Pathway for General Students
Foundation Level Studio in Art Course = 1 Unit
4 Art Electives (beyond Foundation Level) = 4 Units
Pathway for Art/Music Students
Foundation Level Studio in Art Course = 1 Unit
Music Theory = 1 Unit
Art or Music Electives = 3 Units
Middle School Acceleration Option
Studio in Art: Fine Arts is typically taken by 9th-grade students. However, students may be selected to take this course in grade 8 and are then expected to advance through the Pathway for Prospective Art Students during grades 9-12.
1 Year 1 Unit
Studio in Art is a foundation level course where students can begin to develop their artistic voice. The elements of art and the principles of design lead this journey into art making using traditional and contemporary approaches to 2D and 3D art making. Students will explore a variety of techniques and media through studio projects including but not limited to drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and computer arts.
1 Year 1 Unit
Studio in crafts is a foundation level course where students can begin to develop their artistic voice. The elements of art and the principles of design lead this journey into making art with a focus on contemporary and traditional crafts. Students will experience a variety of art materials as they develop work.
1 Year 1 Unit
Studio in Electronic media is a foundation level course where students can begin to develop their artistic voice. The elements of art and the principles of design lead this journey as students explore computer technology in relation to creative expression. Students will learn how to use powerful software tools, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, to create art for print. Students will learn how to make original illustrations, commercial art, and photograph manipulation.
Students pursuing this pathway will keep a portfolio. Along with this traditional portfolio, they will be offered an opportunity to take digital photos of their work. They will bring that portfolio of work from one course to the following course, as they progress through this pathway of Visual Art Courses.
1 Year 1 Unit
This introductory 2D course in drawing and painting will explore processes including drawing, painting, printmaking, and design using a variety of materials and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring and improving observational drawing and painting skills. Students will also gain a better understanding of the artistic or creative process including inspiration, development, creation, presentation, and reflection on art-making. Students will maintain a sketchbook and portfolio of their artwork.
Course Requirements/Recommendations
Requirement: Studio in Art
Recommendation: 85 final average in Studio in Art
1 Year/1 Unit
This advanced 2D course is a continuation of Drawing and Painting I and will explore a variety of materials and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on further development of observational drawing and painting skills including color theory, brushwork, and personal style. Students will maintain a sketchbook and a portfolio of their work.
Course Requirements/Recommendations
Requirement: Drawing and Painting I with portfolio and sketchbook from previous courses
Materials: Sketchbook
Recommendation: 85 final average in Drawing and Painting I
1 Year/1 Unit
This advanced course follows the focus established in Drawing and Painting I and II and will expand on those skills to integrate traditional and contemporary art-making techniques and concepts with experimentation and personal decision making. Continued practice of drawing, painting, printmaking, and design skills will be developed into original works that stress personal expression through a wide array of art mediums. Emphasis will be placed on the artistic or creative process including inspiration, development, creation, presentation and reflection on art-making. Students will maintain a sketchbook and both a physical and digital portfolio of their work.
Requirement: Drawing and Painting II with portfolio and sketchbook from previous courses
Materials: Sketchbook
Recommendation: 85 final average in Drawing & Painting II
Advanced Placement – Studio Art
1 Year/1 Unit (Double Period)
This course is offered to highly motivated art students interested in an in-depth study of traditional, contemporary and personal approaches to visual art-making. Students must be willing to assume much of the responsibility for their own learning and will be required to produce a serious body of work. The required practice and development of artwork will be equivalent to an introductory college course in studio art or design. Preparation of a college admissions portfolio, along with assembling original works and digital images of their work for the AP portfolio exam will be the primary focus of this course. The AP Exam is evaluated through the submission of a specific portfolio to adjudicators at The College Board. Many colleges will award credit based on satisfactory grades on this AP Exam.
Students choose to complete one of two portfolio options:
1. Drawing - Which can include painting, printmaking, mixed-media and/or digital processes
2. 2D Design - Which can be created using a variety of processes including but not limited to graphic design, fashion design, interior design, illustration, photography, mixed-media, and digital processes
Requirements: Drawing & Painting 2 or Advanced Graphic Design or 3 total art credits with teacher recommendation
Recommendation: Teacher recommendation plus a 90 average in Studio in Art and Design 2, Advanced Graphic Design or Advanced Photography
Portfolio and sketchbook from previous art courses
Submission of summer assignments
All students enrolled in this course are expected to register for and complete the AP exam in May at a cost of approximately $100, which will be reduced or waived for students who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
1 Year/ 1 Unit
This hands-on course will explore creating ceramic sculptures and pottery with clay. Processes will show students how to slab, coil,and throw on the potter’s wheel as well. Students will also learn how to glaze, underglaze and many more techniques to create 3 dimensional ceramic sculptures and pottery.
Requirement: Foundation Level Studio Course
Recommendation: 85 final average in Foundation Level
1 Year/ 1 Unit
Students will continue their exploration of working hands-on with ceramics and pottery. With their increased skill set, students will explore problem solving projects using clay and creating work that is functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Wheel throwing, hand building, and new firing techniques are all a part of the Advanced Ceramics curriculum.
Requirement: Design in Ceramics
Recommendation: 85 final average in Design in Ceramics
1 Year/ 1 Unit
This course will explore techniques and creative processes of three dimensional expressions. Sculptural forms may include construction in such materials as wood, metal, clay and plaster using traditional and contemporary methods. Students will benefit from taking ceramics to build 3-D skills.
Requirement: Foundation Level Course
Recommendation: 85 final average in Foundation Level
1 Year/ 1 Unit
This course is an introduction to 35mm black and white photography and the use of photographic materials and processes as an art medium. Content covered includes: 35mm camera operation; film exposure; lighting techniques; film developing; printing contact sheets; advanced darkroom techniques such as, solarization, sepia, hand coloring, and other specialized techniques, making enlargements and mounting prints. Emphasis will be placed on seeing with imagination and creativity, and organizing what is seen into well designed photographic images.
Requirement: Foundation Level Course
Recommendation: 85 final average in Foundation Level
Equipment & Materials: Students should have access to a 35mm manual film camera or automatic camera and may be required to purchase supplies should they be needed beyond the allotment provided by the district
1 Semester/ .5 Unit
Color Photography deals with all aspects of photography from picture taking and editing to lighting, experimentation, color printing, and mounting final prints. Students will use Adobe Photoshop to edit digital images. Students will have the opportunity to build upon the photo skills and techniques learned in B&W photography to expand their portfolios.
Requirement: Photography
Recommendation: 85 final average in Photography
1 Year/ 1 Unit
This 2-D digital media course is designed to expose students to experiences in the career applications of Graphic Design for print media using the “School to Work” concept. The class functions as a working design agency using local non-profit groups as their client base. Students must adhere to deadlines. The focus is creating professional quality graphic designs for projects which may include logo design, poster design, t-shirt design, advertisements, brochures, and outdoor advertisements using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
Requirement: Foundation Level Course
Recommendation: 85 average in Foundation level
Equipment and Materials: flash drive suggested
1 Year/ 1 Unit
This digital media course is designed to expand a student’s experience in Graphic Design using digital technology while concentrating on the Principles of Design as they relate to 2-D and 3-D design, Advertising Design, Typography, Package Design and Web Design. The focus will be to enhance creative problem solving skills, further build technical skills, develop a personal style and build a portfolio using the Adobe Creative Suite.
Requirement: Graphic Design
Recommendation: 85 Final average in Graphic Design
Equipment and Materials: 1 GB Flash Drive(minimum), Small Sketchbook
1 Semester/.5 Unit
This media art course provides an introduction to basic film and video techniques. Areas studied will consist of composition (shots and angles), story development/writing, directing, film and sound editing, different types of film styles, and creative approach. Filming will be done outside of school; all editing will be computer driven and completed during class time. Students will be required to complete several films/videos of their own and talk/write intelligently about their work and the work of their fellow filmmakers or other artists. Successful completion of Photography prior to enrollment in this course would be beneficial.
Requirement: Foundation Level Course
Recommendation: 85 final average in Foundation Level Course and/or Photography
Equipment & materials: Access to SD compatible video camera (no firewire), 32GB or higher SD card, camera phone, USB cords for device(s), 32GB or higher flash drive, external hard-drive
1 year/1 unit
Animation is a full-year course that introduces students to the fundamentals of animation, including traditional techniques like flipbooks and stop-motion, as well as digital methods using software such as Adobe Animate. Through creative projects, students explore storytelling, character design, and technical skills to bring their ideas to life.
Requirement: Studio in Art, Studio in Crafts or Studio in E-Media.
Recommendation: 85 in Studio Class
Equipment & materials: Sketchbook