Related Arts
Visual Art
Middle School Art, Art and Society, and Advanced Art are courses in which students will focus on social awareness by creating images that encourage cultural understanding and social action. As they progress through the Art curriculum, students will explore their individual and communal identities. Students will work together on a series of topics in order to encourage public dialogue and affect change and unite our community in confronting current social, political, and environmental challenges.
Music
General Music involves the study of the elements of music, melody, harmony, rhythm, form, tempo, timbre, dynamics and interpretation, composers, and directed listening. Each element will be examined through a historical approach. Also included is the study of instruments of band and orchestra, styles of music and music notation. This course imparts the skills and knowledge necessary for the understanding, appreciation, creation, performance, and enjoyment of music while also helping students to understand different eras and how music reacted to those times.
Instrumental Music immerses students in the study of music to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for performing with a musical instrument in a group and/or individual setting. This course offers the students an examination and experience in a variety of traditional and contemporary music. The students study selected music and perform at several concerts and festivals during the year. Emphasis is placed on proper instrumental technique, musicianship and music reading skills. This is a performance-oriented class in which school and community performances are required.
Technology
Our Upper School technology curriculum, along with our integrated technology approach across all subject areas in the middle and upper school, prepares our students to be involved and active in the global information society of the 21st century. Our technology curriculum is aligned with the National Education Technology Standards and focuses on creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making, digital citizenship, as well as technology operations and concepts. These skills will enable our students to be life long learners able to be active in transforming their communities and beyond. The courses are centered around a project based approach which mirrors real life experiences and the digital design studio brings in outside projects for our students to gain real life experience in problem solving.
Physical Education and Health
Middle and Upper School Physical Education students gain a greater understanding of the relationship between the mind and body and the importance of exercise in promoting health and reducing stress.investigates the value of fitness in daily life and its effect on total wellness.Through lecture, discussion, project work and class participation, students will acquire a general understanding of fitness principles. PE classes promote appreciate for cardiovascular fitness through the introduction of basic skills and techniques of many different sports such as basketball, softball, badminton, football, soccer, and volleyball. Students practice skills, use of equipment, rules, scoring, and the etiquette of the games. Regular participation, safety, leadership, and teamwork are emphasized.
Upper School Health and Wellness is a required 1/2 semester course designed to help high school students extend their conceptualization of knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to health issues. The focus is on students dealing with the world today and preparing for adult living based on a health and wellness ethic. Developmentally appropriate concepts of mental and emotional health, personal and consumer health, nutrition & fitness, disease prevention and control, safety & injury prevention, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and family life and human sexuality are taught in this course. Instruction is based on the needs, interests, strengths, and culture of high school students.
