Visual and Performing Arts

Visual Arts: The elementary art curriculum provides a thoughtful progression from prekindergarten through fifth grade, building skills and artistic understanding in developmentally appropriate stages. In the early years (PreK-K), students experiment with various materials while developing basic descriptive and interpretive skills. As students advance through grades 1-3, they explore more diverse media, begin identifying artistic elements, and develop critical thinking skills through evaluation and interpretation. By grades 4-5, students refine their techniques, create more complex works with personal style, develop artist statements, and make connections between art and other disciplines. Throughout all grades, students progressively develop stronger vocabulary, technical skills, and the ability to communicate meaning through their artwork.

Music: The music education program provides a comprehensive, sequential development of musical skills from prekindergarten through fifth grade. In the early years (PreK-K), students begin with fundamental exploration of vocal production, simple rhythmic patterns, and developing listening skills while learning to be appropriate audience members. As students progress through grades 1-2, they start improvising short musical ideas, connecting multiple concepts together, and developing basic singing technique while learning to follow standard notation and respond to conductor cues.

The curriculum becomes increasingly sophisticated in grades 3-5, where students explore more complex rhythmic and melodic concepts including syncopation, minor keys, and expanded musical forms such as rondo and theme variations. Upper elementary students develop skills in multi-part singing, digital sound generation, and music analysis while beginning to articulate personal musical preferences and understanding historical context. Throughout all grade levels, students progressively build skills across four key areas: creating original music, performing vocally and instrumentally, responding to musical works analytically, and making meaningful connections between music and their daily lives.
 

Visual Arts: The comprehensive art program builds progressively across middle school years, with each grade expanding on previously acquired skills. Grade 6 students reinforce their foundation through continued vocabulary development, new artistic approaches, and creation of titled works with artist statements, while making cross-disciplinary connections through formal presentations. In Grade 7, students advance to more sophisticated composition principles, pushing material boundaries while developing clear artistic plans and personal style. They analyze historical and cultural contexts of artwork and explore various presentation methods, including themed exhibitions. Grade 8 further enhances these skills, with students experimenting more boldly with materials while conveying deeper meaning through their presentations and developing a more nuanced understanding of how art relates to societal, cultural and historical contexts.

Performing Arts: The performing arts program offers a comprehensive curriculum across grades 6-8, building sequentially on foundational skills. In grade 6, students refine musical abilities through performance evaluation, cultural exploration, and collaborative creation. They develop theatrical competencies by analyzing character development, adapting scripts, and connecting performances to various disciplines. Grade 7 expands these foundations with more complex musical compositions, technical theatrical elements, and cross-cultural storytelling approaches.

By grade 8, students demonstrate advanced instrumental techniques while creating sophisticated evaluation criteria for performances. Throughout all grades, students engage in meaningful connections between artistic expression and cultural contexts, develop critical analysis skills, and participate in performance opportunities that showcase their growing abilities. The curriculum emphasizes both technical skill development and conceptual understanding, helping students recognize how performing arts reflect and influence society while developing their personal artistic preferences and styles.
 

Visual Arts: The visual arts program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop students' artistic talents from foundational skills to advanced portfolio creation. The journey begins with Introduction to Art, a year-long course that exposes students to various media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics while building critical thinking and visual literacy. As students progress, they engage in more complex projects, developing personal style through intensive study of drawing, design, and painting techniques, with opportunities to participate in local and national art competitions.

Advanced coursework focuses on portfolio development and preparation for artistic advancement beyond high school. Students can pursue specialized tracks in 2D Design, including an Advanced Placement option that may earn college credit, or explore digital art through Adobe applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. The ceramics pathway allows students to master clay techniques from hand-building to wheel throwing, with emphasis on both functional and expressive work. Throughout all courses, students develop critical skills through critique sessions, sketchbook work, and exposure to professional art through discussions, films, and museum visits.

Performing Arts: The performing arts program offers a diverse range of musical and theatrical opportunities for students at all skill levels. In music, students can join instrumental ensembles like Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, which develop technical skills while performing varied repertoire, or explore contemporary styles in the Modern Music course. Vocal options include Mixed Chorus for beginners, Concert Choir for advanced singers, Madrigal Singers for Renaissance-style performances, and Solo Voice for individual technique development. Music Theory is also available for students seeking to understand the fundamentals of music composition and analysis.

The theater program provides a comprehensive approach to dramatic arts through several course offerings. Introduction to Theater exposes students to various aspects including history, improvisation, playwriting, and design fundamentals. For advanced students, Play Production involves all elements of theatrical production from acting and directing to creating original works, culminating in community performances and festival participation. Technical Theater focuses specifically on behind-the-scenes aspects including stage management, lighting, sound, and set design. All these performing arts courses provide opportunities for creative expression while developing discipline and collaboration skills, with many courses counting toward the Arts credit required for graduation.