VAPA Course Offerings
Art 1-2
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: None
Art 1-2 (pre-IB) is an introductory course to the visual arts. Students are encouraged to be creative as they learn the basic technical skills needed for completion of art projects. Research of historical artistic style, cultural influences, and the study of Master Artists increases students' understanding of how art has evolved to its present use. Written analysis, reflective writing, and research are an integral component of the art curriculum. Students learn about the importance of the Principles and Elements of Art and Design and apply the concepts to their artwork.
Advanced Art 3-8 (for students not enrolled in the IB visual Arts program)
GRADE: 10-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Art 1-2 or equivalent courses
Advanced Art 3-8 is a course in the visual arts that allows the student to explore in greater depth drawing, painting and design. Studio experiences provide further knowledge of the artist's methods and materials.Advanced observational skills, combined with more in-depth studies of historical styles of art, and critical analysis provide the opportunity to further students' creative and technical experiences.
IB Visual Art
GRADE: 11-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Art 1-2 or equivalent courses
The IB program includes either Higher Level or Standard Level A (emphasis on Studio Art) or Standard Level B (emphasis on research and art history. The student through critical thinking and problem solving skills will gain an international understanding of artistic expression and develop a personal style that respects and demonstrates the shared heritage of world cultures. An IB student demonstrates growth and commitment to the study of art, through research work books and studio art that merges traditional and non-traditional media with personal and collaborative artistic expression and design that incorporates historical, contemporary, socio-cultural, and international perspectives.
Art of Video
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year) COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? Yes ( UC Fine Art Approved)
PREREQUISITES: None
This course teaches students the process of filmaking from the idea-brainstorming stage to taking the footage and editing the footage into a final product. Student's imaginations and creative abilities will be challenged through hands-on projects utilizing their understanding of and experience with the designing stores, writing scripts directing and acting, framing composition, camera angles and movement, and audio, light and editing. Students will become skilled in producing their artistic segments and will produce and manage their own news broadcast that goes out to the school and community. This course is a University of California approved elective course and earns students 4.5 tech-prep credits at the Junior College level if completed with a grade of C or better. .
IB Film
GRADE: 11-12 CREDITS: 10 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? Yes
PREREQUISITES: Art of Video or Teacher Recommendation
The advanced film course aims to develop in students the skills necessary to achieve creative and critical independence in their knowledge, experience and enjoyment of film. The class aims to promote an appreciation and understanding of film as a complex art form. Students will be expected to formulate stories and ideas in film terms and express their originality and creativity in developing an idea through the various stages from conception to finished production. Practical and technical skills incorporating technology will also be expected in the creation of personal film projects. Students will also demonstrate critical evaluations of film productions by students and others and they develop the ability to draw together their knowledge, skills, research, and experience, and apply them analytically to evaluate film texts. A critical understanding of the historical, theoretical, sociocultural, economic and institutional contexts of film in more than one country will also be emphasized.
Art and Multimedia
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: None
Art and Multimedia is a year-long course that introduces students to the fundamentals of traditional and digital art and explores technology's impact on today's art world. Topics covered are the Elements of Art, Principles of Design, color theory, fine art and graphic design. Students solve basic design problems while developing their creative and technical skills for drawing, layout, special effects and design using traditional artistic materials, printed medium and for web designing. Students enhance their computer skills while learning the software needed for digital imaging techniques. Students create a portfolio that can be used to demonstrate their abilities for college entrance or employment in the visual arts field.This course is a University of California approved elective course.
Ceramics 1-2
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: None
This course focuses on basic techniques for making creative ceramic pieces. Student s learn basic formation techniques: pinch, coiling, slab, drape molding and wheel throwing as well as surface decorating, glazing and firing procedures. Additionally, students learn basic drawing procedures and design skills necessary in developing their own ideas and concepts in created work.
Ceramics 1 consists of four major areas of content: (1) drawing for design- developing drawing skills as a means of expressing personal ideas and concepts; (2) elements and principles - application of artistic skills in a variety of visual arts media and; (4) content, concept and context - derivation of meaning from artworks through historical context, aesthetics judgment, and art criticism. Students study professional and historical work and make pieces based on research.
Ceramics Advanced
GRADE: 10-12 CREDITS: 10
PREREQUISITES: Ceramics 1-2
This course focuses on advanced techniques for making creative ceramic pieces. Students will expand their basic formation techniques used in Ceramics 1-2. Wheel throwing and altering of forms are explored in depth. Mixing and the spraying of glazes and Raku firing procedures are presented. Drawing procedures and design skills developed in Ceramics 1-2 will be reviewed and expanded in creation of student work.
Digital Photography
(counts as a VAPA or CTE)
Drama 1-2
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: None
This is a beginning drama class that introduces students to the world of performing arts through interpretation. Students study the basic elements of acting, directing, improvisation and set design. They work on acting skills with the intention of performance. Students will identify and compare how film, theatre, television, and electronic media productions influence our values and behaviors. Finally, this introduction to theatre arts is expected to stimulate a lifelong appreciation and interest in theatre arts.
Drama Advanced
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Drama 1-2
In this course student continue to develop their dramatic and theater skills and participate in class and school productions. In addition, students will study, perform and analyze plays of various genres throughout history.
IB Theatre/Advanced Drama
GRADE: 11-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Drama 1-2 or teacher recommendation
This advanced class takes advantage of the experiences gained in the beginning class. Students will gain a more in depth understanding of play analysis, theatre history/genres, acting methods, and design (costume, makeup, set, lighting). Students will demonstrate their abilities through performance. Students will identify and compare how film, theatre, television and electronic media productions influence our values and behaviors. Finally, this introduction to theatre arts is expected to stimulate a lifelong appreciation and interest in theatre arts.
Dance
GRADE: 10-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: None
This course offers an introduction to dance, dance history, ethnic dance and social dance forms. Includes instruction in ballet, jazz, modern dance, Afro-Caribbean, swing, salsa, and hip-hop. Students will study different musical forms and methods and theories of choreography and improvisation; gain an understanding of musical vocabulary and proper body alignment as well as various fitness methods. Students can take Dance in the 9th grade for Fine Arts credit while taking core P.E. Dance cannot substitute for core P.E.
Advanced Dance
GRADE: 10-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Interview with the instructor
Students will receive an in depth look at dance, dance history ethnic dance and social dance forms. They will learn advanced technique training in ballet, and modern dance forms, create their own dances using various methods and theories of choreography and improvisation.
Concert Band
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: None
The Concert Band is for intermediate level instrumental musicians, comprised mainly of, but not limited to, incoming freshman. The Concert Band will perform music from the repertoire of band literature from various eras of musical history including: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Neo-Classical, Twentieth Century and Contemporary. While learning the techniques of rehearsal and performance, the students analyze compositional elements in cultural and historical context, gaining a deeper aesthetic understanding of music. The performance schedule will require a time commitment outside the regular school day.
String Orchestra
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Audition with Instructor
The String Orchestra is a preparatory ensemble for the Chamber Orchestra. The String Orchestra performs Grade 2 and 3 literature from various eras of musical history including: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Neo-Classical, Twentieth Century and Contemporary, including non-Western musical traditions. While learning the techniques of rehearsal and performance, the students analyze compositional elements in cultural and historical context, gaining a deeper aesthetic understanding of music. The performance schedule will require a time commitment outside the regular school day.
Choir
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 10 (year)
PREREQUISITES: Audition with Instructor
Chorus is for choral musicians who have a limited understanding of choral singing. The Chorus performs beginning to intermediate level literature chosen from various eras of musical history including: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Neo-Classical, Twentieth Century and Contemporary, including non-Western musical traditions. While learning the techniques of rehearsal and performance, the students analyze compositional elements in cultural and historical context, gaining a deeper aesthetic understanding of music. The performance schedule will require a time commitment outside the regular school calendar to include local venues, festivals, and sometimes a concert tour.