Visual & Performing Arts

Art 1: This course is designed to teach basic hand-eye coordination in order to draw and understand the principles of composition. First semester work is in black and white using pencil, ink, charcoal, paper cutting, and scratch board. Second semester work explores color theory in the use of watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and prismacolor. Assignment emphasis is on two-dimensional projects. Students create a digital portfolio. Material fees required. There is a required student exhibition in May.

Art 2: Advanced Drawing and Painting, this course draws on the principles and skills learned in Art 1. Careers in the arts, portraiture, setting, lighting, and preparation of portfolio quality work are areas to be explored. Work begins to reflect  personal style and interpretation.  Students create a digital portfolio. Materials fee required. There is a required student exhibition in May.

Course for juniors and seniors. The focus of this course is advanced studio work in drawing, painting, illustration, graphic design, printmaking, art history, and art careers. All work is portfolio quality. Quarterly self-evaluations provide expression of the language of art and communication of the skills learned. Advanced Students are inducted into the National Art Honor Society. Materials fee required. There is a required student exhibition in May.

Ceramics 1 students develop skills in designing and creating three-dimensional forms with various hand-building methods with emphasis on wheel-thrown work.  Methods of glazing and firing techniques are learned.  A variety of styles of ceramic and sculpture works are explored and encouraged.   Physical requirements, must be able to lift 25lbs. There is a required student exhibition in the spring. 

Ceramics 2 will focus on advanced work on the wheel, with emphasis on increasing size and ability, to create multiples of the same objects by creating a dinner service for four. Exploration of various glazing techniques is emphasized. Some written assignments are required.  Physical requirements, must be able to lift 25lbs. There is a required student exhibition in the spring. Materials fee required.

Ceramics 3 Honors will focus on various methods of glazing and personal exploration of forms. Research of different glazing and hand building techniques is required. Weekly written reports and reflection papers are included.  Sculpture will be introduced with projects each semester.   Physical requirements, must be able to lift 25lbs. Student exhibition in May. Advanced students are inducted into the National Art Honor Society. There is a required student exhibition in May. Materials fee required.

Students will learn to recognize the basic concepts, media, and techniques involved in a variety of 3D Art forms and produce a variety of functional and decorative products using the skills introduced in class. Students will develop concepts that will be influenced by the producer’s knowledge, training, experience, and attitudes, which follow the principles of good design. Students will apply what is learned through lectures, handouts, and demonstration materials. The study of applied technology using paper, glass, metals, textiles, dyes, clay, threads, yarn, and wax is part of the course.  Computers are used to assist in design. There is a required student exhibition in May. To learn more about 3D art. Materials fee required.

The object of this course is to explore the different aspects of 3D sculpture and to teach the students how to express themselves in their own personal style with different media. The individual sections of each portfolio- Quality, Concentration, and Breadth- are discussed in detail. The students are expected to develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution of ideas. Throughout the year, students learn a variety of concepts and approaches to 3D design, reviewing the Principles of Design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion, figure/ground relations) articulated thru the Visual Elements (line, shape, color, value, texture and space). Students develop a body of work investigating a strong theme/concept, in 3D design, that they have chosen. This course emphasizes making art an ongoing process involving informed and critical decision-making. Critiques from the teacher and peers are expected and are an ongoing process throughout the year and form part of the assessment grade for the course. Students complete the requirements of the National Art Honor Society. There is a required student exhibition in May. Materials fee required. 

This is a beginning level, non-darkroom, art photography course intended to help students develop the ability to take, manipulate, print, and alter their photography through their understanding of visual perception and personal experience.  Using digital cameras and professional photo editing software, students learn the basic elements of art photography, develop observational skills and the ability to discuss and critique their experience.  Throughout the year, students will study the world of art photography, its place in art history, and its importance in society.  Students will complete written assignments as well as a portfolio of their work. Students supply their own digital cameras. A digital camera is required for this course, as well as a student exhibition in the spring. Materials fee required.

In Choir, a performance class, students will learn how to develop their voices and experience the pleasure of ensemble singing.  This class is an introduction to music and music-making, using voices and instruments to build a foundation for musical understanding. Music is chosen from various styles (musicals, popular, folk and traditional) that will encourage developing voices. We will listen to music from various cultures and genres.  The class draws on a variety of different song styles.  In this class you will discover the joy of ensemble performance in various venues, including at least two concerts during the school year.  Purchase of a performing dress is required.

This auditioned ensemble will continue the development of vocal technique and ensemble practice through exploration of a wide variety of musical styles and genres, including a cappella, jazz and choreographed performance styles.   As honors designees, students will study more advanced theory and sight-reading, complete occasional assignments in music history and vocal history, tackle more advanced repertoire and smaller ensemble pieces, learn basic conducting technique, do independent listening assignments, and be expected to attend a second musical concert during the year.  Besides the two concerts at school, students perform for occasional functions and outside engagements and to possibly participate in a music festival in the spring.  Purchase of a performing dress is required.

Dance I is a course that encompasses the beginning exploration of modern dance, jazz dance, basic ballet, African-based dance styles such as  African, Swing, and other contemporary dances.  Students learn and practice beginning level dance techniques, focusing primarily on the principles of center strength, coordination, balance and flexibility.  Dance history, vocabulary and dance appreciation introduce the student to a wide variety of dance forms as they occur in world cultures.  Students learn and rehearse choreography, culminating in a formal dance performance at the end of each semester. Shoes or specific attire needed. Materials fee required. 

Dance 2 is a continuation of the study of beginning and intermediate techniques of modern dance, jazz dance, ballet, African dance, tap and other contemporary dance styles.  Students increase their skills through practice of more challenging and complex movement patterns. Students begin their study of the choreography by solving improvisation and composition problems. Dance history and vocabulary are also a focus of the course, and readings of current dance periodicals and viewing dance on film to familiarize students with the current dance trends. Dance 2 culminates in a formal dance performance at the end of each semester . Shoes or specific attire needed. Materials fee required. 

Dance 3 is a continuation of the study of intermediate and advanced techniques of modern dance, jazz dance, ballet, African dance, tap and other contemporary dance styles. Students increase their skills through practice of more challenging and complex movement patterns. Students begin their study of the choreography by solving improvisation and composition problems. Dance history and vocabulary are also a focus of the course, and readings of current dance periodicals and viewing dance on film to familiarize students with the current dance trends. Dance 3 culminates in a formal dance performance at the end of each semester . Shoes or specific attire needed. Materials fee required.

Dance 4H is a course that encompasses masterful daily physical exploration of modern dance, jazz dance, ballet, and African-based dance styles, and continues the study of modern and jazz dance history as well as the choreographic principles of composition and improvisation.  Students engage in independent study of dance outside the classroom in the form of additional classes and independent readings.  Students develop leadership qualities by leading classroom activities, sharing ideas, initiating student-led activities, and engaging in peer dialogues with others.  Weekly scholarly reading and writing are a requirement.  The culminating activity of the course will be that students choreograph their own dance works for a formal performance, as well as perform in other dance venues as they present themselves. Shoes or specific attire needed. Materials fee required. 

Dance 5H is a course that encompasses masterful daily physical exploration of Tap, jazz dance, ballet, and contemporary-based dance styles, and continues the study of modern and jazz dance history as well as expand the choreographic principles of composition and improvisation.  Students engage in independent study of dance outside the classroom in the form of additional classes and independent readings.  Students develop leadership qualities by choreographing, teaching, sharing ideas, initiating student-led activities, and engaging in peer dialogues with others.  Weekly scholarly reading and writing are a requirement.  The culminating activity of the course will be that students choreograph their own dance works for the bi-annual Winter and Spring Dance concerts, as well as perform in other dance venues as they present themselves. Shoes or specific attire needed. Materials fee required. 

Dance 6H: This class is designed to introduce beginning level techniques in basic dance partnering. Students will learn how to move synchronously, improve core strength and safely perform lifts with their partner through various dance styles. Dance styles may include swing, musical theater, modern and ballet. Participation at the end of the semester performance is required. 

Drama is offered as a Tri-School Class by Junipero Serra High School. Learn more here!

With an emphasis on journalism ethics and the representation of women in media, this course will begin to explore the course's essential question: What is the role of media in our society, and how can we become responsible consumers and producers of news and information in the digital age? How does the media representation of women affect how young women view themselves? Students will learn the six zones of news: news, opinion, entertainment, advertising, propaganda, or raw information. They will explore and learn about the laws and regulations that drive reporting content and reporting timelines. Participants of this course will understand the standards of quality journalism and develop critical habits of mind, effective and intentional communication, as well as responsible use of media