Yorktown High School Courses
for Incoming Freshman
Questions? Email:
Yorktownhighscheduling@yorktown.org
Questions? Email:
Yorktownhighscheduling@yorktown.org
Option 1: Fine & Performing Arts Options
These courses fulfill the graduation requirement of 1 credit of art, music or the performing arts.
Only courses that fulfill this requirement are noted, "This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation."
1 credit
The major objective of Concert Band is to provide a greater knowledge and enjoyment of music through participation. Students will be guided to improve their technical and musical skills and learn a "how to" approach to practicing. Concert Band rehearses on a daily basis. All members are required to attend one group lesson each week and are responsible for one half hour of home practice each day. The Concert Band will study a wide variety of musical material and will perform selections as the ability level of the group permits. Performances take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course. Concert Band is open only to students currently enrolled in band OR by permission of instructor. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
1 credit
An experiential group vocal music class. Daily rehearsals will consist of vocal training, study of music fundamentals, and preparation of vocal literature. Attendance at daily classes and performances are integral and required parts of the course. An enthusiasm for singing is required for this course. No audition is required. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
1 credit
Open to grades 9-12
The High School Studio Orchestra is for 9th grade string players and for players from 10 – 12 grades who need to revisit their basic string skills. Emphasis is placed on acquiring key knowledge, rhythmic pattern familiarity, and ensemble playing skills. A wide range of music will be studied and performed throughout the year. The students are responsible for daily preparations and home practice. In addition to daily rehearsals, all students are required to attend one group lesson each week. Performances take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course. An instrument and a metronome are required. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
1 credit
Open to grades 9-12
Music in Our Lives is a general music class with an emphasis on learning music by making music. Students learn various topics and musical concepts and practice these through assignments on Garageband. Assignments include composition, remixing, melodic dictation, creating drum beats, creating ringtones, and creating movie scores. Students will also learn basic ukulele skills, such as reading and playing chords, reading and playing tablature, and reading and playing musical notation. Students will also learn how to play hand drums and learn different styles of drumming and how to play various drumming rhythms. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
1 year - 1 credit
Open to grades 9-12
A comprehensive foundation course focusing on composition and developing concepts for drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media and other art processes. Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas for art making and creative decisions. Following Studio in Art, the elective courses may be taken in any order. This course is required in preparation for the advanced major sequence courses: Drawing & Painting and advanced placement. Students are required to have a sketchbook and out of class work is expected. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
1 year - 1 credit
Open to grades 9-12
A comprehensive foundation course in artmaking using technology. Course introduces students to basic skills to accomplish digital drawing and painting, image editing, animation and film. Various apps and programs such as Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere and Animate will be used. Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas for art making and creative decisions. Following Studio in Media Art, the elective courses may be taken in any order. Students are required to have a sketchbook and out of class work is expected. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
1 year - 1 credit
Open to grades 9-12
A comprehensive foundation course in artmaking that focuses on the art and process of design. Topics covered include graphic design concepts, product design, perspective drawing, model building, architectural drafting, and interior design. Course includes a wide variety of experiences and practice with multiple mediums. Students are required to have a sketchbook and out of class work is expected. A comprehensive three-year technical drawing/design sequence is offered after completion. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.
Option 2: Husker Discovery (Freshman Seminar) and Health
Freshman Seminar - Website
1 semester ½ credit
Grade 9
Adjusting to high school can be a strenuous and challenging task for most students. Students are adjusting to a new school, new academic demands, and the pressure of everyday teenage life. Husker Discovery is designed to address the many issues that students face when entering high school and to provide them with the necessary skills to adjust successfully. This course will help students feel more connected to our high school and develop more confidence in who they are as a person, a student and as a global citizen. The course will encourage social-emotional learning and will provide an environment where students can develop a sense of identity and awareness, discuss current issues and utilize the Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (STEPS-A) curriculum to successfully navigate stressful life events, cope with emotional dysregulation, develop and maintain important family, peer and social relationships.
1 semester - ½ credit
Open to grades 9 & 10
This is a New York State required course for graduation. General areas to be covered are physical, mental and emotional, social and community health. Skill development in communication, advocacy, decision making, self management, stress-management planning, goal setting and relationship management is addressed.
Option 2A or 2B: The following elective options (below) DO NOT fulfill the fine arts requirement for graduation. Students who select a course below will still need to complete one of the above fine arts or performing arts classes by the end of senior year.
1 credit, 1 semester - ½ credit,
Open to grades 9 - 12
This course is an introduction to clay construction with a focus on design. Instruction in hand construction is offered to acquaint the student with the characteristics and nature of the material and tools. Techniques such as pinch, coil, slap, mold and form building will be achieved. Full studio orientation, material information, production and completion of ceramic projects will be achieved. Can be followed by Ceramics B (advanced) for additional .5 credit.
1 credit
Open to grades 9-12
Prerequisite math 1 (Freshmen need to have completed Math 1 and the corresponding NYS Algebra Regents exam in order to take Introduction to Engineering)
Corequisite: Math 2 (geometry regents)
Students are introduced to the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to identify and design solutions to a variety of real problems. They work both individually and in collaborative teams to develop and document design solutions using engineering notebooks and 3D modeling software.
1 semester - ½ credit
Open to grades 9 – 12
Nourishment means so much more than just the food we eat. In this course, we will explore how food has an impact on our physical, emotional, and mental well-being as well as a role in our social relationships. We will learn the science behind the food we eat, how food safety plays a role in our kitchens, how access to foods connects to our health and we will learn the importance of recognizing problematic diet advice in the media. Students are given freedom of choice and urged to explore their relationship with food to enhance the quality of their lives.
½ credit
Open to grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
In this one-semester course, students will explore the business side of sports. They will address issues such as negotiating and preparing contracts for athletes; how to plan for and organize sporting events, oversee the development of new sports related merchandise and finally, students will learn the value of such names as Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and what they mean to the corporate sponsors.
½ credit
Open to grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of TV Production. This will be illustrated by the compilation of original scripts and a video portfolio that can enhance college applications. Students will perform in all crew positions and demonstrate on-air skills such as interviewing (recorded and live), on-site reporting, ad-libbing, anchoring, and acting. Behind-the-scenes skills such as writing, directing, editing, camera work, and audio work will be explored. Students will produce works that are reviewed and evaluated by faculty and fellow students, maintain a production journal which includes proposals, storyboards, technical issues, and evaluations for each project or assignment. Students will work in a fully equipped TV studio and assist in the production of a periodic show to be broadcast on cable television.