Arts Magnet

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dance Track of the Arts Magnet Program and Audition. Students must supply their own workout attire and dance shoes (instructor approved).

This intermediate dance course builds upon the techniques developed in Beginning Dance through continued exposure to a wide variety of dance genres, including ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and other global dance styles. New students with prior dance experience are encouraged to try to audition for this level. Grading is primarily based on class participation, assessments, discussions, choreography projects, performances, and special Arts Magnet honors projects. Dance Workshop performs publicly about once per semester. Students may enroll in Dance Workshop multiple times for credit. At the time of registration, students may select to receive Arts or Physical Education credit for this course.

• Homework Expectation: Approx. 1 hour per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dance Track of the Arts Magnet Program and audition. Students must supply their own workout attire and dance shoes (instructor approved).

This advanced dance course is JSerra's premiere performing dance ensemble. Students should be committed to the JSerra dance program and expect to perform many times throughout the year.  Grading is primarily based on class participation, assessments, discussions, choreography projects, and performances. Students are encouraged to enroll in JSerra Dance Ensemble Honors multiple times for credit. At the time of registration, students may select to receive Arts or Physical Education credit for this course.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Dance Track of the Arts Magnet Program and teacher approval required. Concurrent enrollment in JSerra Dance Ensemble. Students must supply their own workout attire and dance shoes (instructor approved).

This advanced level dance course provides an optional leadership opportunity for students in the Dance Track of the Arts Magnet Program. The students in this class act as assistant teachers for the Dance Workshop course, helping to choreograph and teach dance routines. Grading is primarily based on class participation, choreography projects, and performances. At the time of registration, students may select to receive Arts or Physical Education credit for this course.

• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Arts Magnet Program (AMP) Portfolio Review Approval.

Drawing and Painting 2 Honors  is a year-long course, which is designed to provide students a more specific overview of two-dimensional art-making techniques. Students work in a more independent manner than in Drawing and Painting I and will continue to apply the elements of art and the principles of design. Art projects are geared towards developing their problem solving skills in a more complex manner. A sketchbook is required to complete in-class exercises and occasional homework assignments. In addition, Honors students will create a self-directed project each quarter. Various mediums and techniques involve charcoal, acrylic, watercolor and oil paints. An emphasis is placed on creativity and the mastery of skills to adequately prepare students to move on to the Advanced/AP level art courses. Students will compile a portfolio of work by the end of the year.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisites: Minimum of A- in the 1st semester and 3rd quarter of Drawing and Painting 2. Teacher approval is required.

This course is designed to give the advanced art student a more specific overview of drawing and painting techniques, using the art elements and principles of design in the process. The students will explore these techniques on a higher level and the subject matter will include master copies, the figure, still life, landscape and portraiture. Media will include graphite, pen and ink, charcoal, oil pastel, oil and acrylic paint. Work is mainly produced in class.  Weekly sketchbook assignments are homework and take approximately 30 minutes to one hour. In addition, Honors students will create a self-directed project each quarter.  Emphasis is placed on creative thinking, problem solving and building an aesthetic vocabulary to prepare students for AP Art and Design.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Minimum A- in 1st semester and 3rd quarter of Drawing and Painting 2 and Advanced Drawing and Painting.

Adobe Creative Suite is an upper-division course introducing traditional drawing and painting students to the world of computer-generated art. The student will focus on the artistic skills necessary to create complex works of digital art in four powerful Adobe software programs within the Apple/Macintosh platform: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Flash. As an extension of traditional drawing and painting, the student will concentrate on utilizing these software programs to not only enhance their abilities to create original pieces of digital artwork, but also to prepare them for a possible career in the visual arts and the technology required to sell their work. All work is done in the classroom; there is NO homework, tests or quizzes. One chosen project will serve as a final.

• Homework Expectation: none
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisites: An A- in all available grades of Drawing and Painting 2 and Advanced Drawing and Painting. Teacher approval is required.

AP Art and Design provides the motivated art student with the opportunity to develop a two-part portfolio that is personal to their individual talents and interests. Through the creation of up to 15 pieces of art over the course of the year, students will submit a portfolio to the College Board for evaluation in May in either 2-Dimensional Design or Drawing. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of one theme or idea over the course of the year. The course focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within college art and design foundation courses with the same intent: to help students become inquisitive, thoughtful artists and designers able to articulate information about their work. AP Art and Design students develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection. AMP students will complete several career exploration assignments in addition to the AP Art and Design curriculum.

• Homework Expectation: 2-3 hours per week, can include weekends and breaks
• AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved for Honors

Prerequisite: Audition.

This intermediate/advanced level music ensemble course is the core mixed vocal ensemble at the school. Chorale further develops the skills of vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble performance. Grading is primarily based on participation in class work and performances; this class has about one hour of homework per week. Chorale performs publicly multiple times each semester. Students are expected to provide their own performance attire. Students are encouraged to enroll in Chorale multiple times for credit.

• Homework Expectation: Approx. 1 hour per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Audition. 

This intermediate level music ensemble course is appropriate for female students with previous vocal experience. Women's Choir builds upon the skills of vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble performance. Grading is primarily based on participation in class work, performances, and special Arts Magnet honors projects.The Women's Choir performs publicly multiple times each semester. Students are expected to provide their own performance attire. Students may enroll in Women's Choir multiple times for credit.

• Homework Expectation: Approx. 1 hour per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Previous experience playing a woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, or string instrument.

This intermediate/advanced music ensemble course is open to students who have previous experience playing a woodwind (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon), brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba), percussion (snare drum, timpani, marimba, xylophone, etc), piano, or string (violin, viola, cello, bass) instrument. Students will develop musical technique through the rehearsal/performance of music from a wide range of genres, including classical, jazz, film music, and other global styles. Grading is primarily based on participation in class, occasional rehearsals outside of regular school hours, and in several performances each year; typically, the only homework is self-guided student practice. Though some school instruments are available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, students are generally expected to supply their own instrument. Students are encouraged to enroll in Symphony Orchestra multiple times for credit.

• Homework Expectation: Approx. 1 hour per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Choir Track of the Arts Magnet Program. Concurrent enrollment in Chorale.

This advanced level music ensemble course is the core course of the Choir Track of the Arts Magnet Program. JAMS is a mixed a cappella choral ensemble that performs various genres from the medieval to contemporary periods. Students in JAMS develop leadership, musicianship, and creative musical skills. Grading is based on participation in large group and chamber ensemble rehearsals, weekly labs in special topics (i.e. conducting, composing, etc), completion of creative projects, and participation in performances. JAMS performs frequently and has about 1-2 hour of homework per week. Students may enroll in JAMS multiple times for credit. JAMS meets before and/or after regular school hours.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Orchestra Track of the Arts Magnet Program. Concurrent enrollment in Symphony Orchestra.

This advanced level music ensemble course is the core course of the Orchestra Track of the Arts Magnet Program. Students in JAM-ON develop leadership, musicianship, and creative musical skills. Grading is based on participation in large group and chamber ensemble rehearsals, weekly labs in special topics (i.e. conducting, composing, etc), completion of creative projects, and participation in performances. Though some school instruments are available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, students are generally expected to supply their own instrument. JAM-ON performs frequently. Students may enroll in JAM-ON multiple times for credit. JAM-ON meets before and/or after regular school hours.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approval Pending

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Theatre Track of the Arts Magnet Program.

This intermediate level theatre course further develops skills in acting and theatre design (i.e. sets, costumes, lighting, sound, etc). Grading is primarily based on class participation, assessments, creative group projects, classroom performances, and special Arts Magnet honors projects. Most projects can be completed in class. Theatre 2 may be taken multiple times for credit.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approved

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Theatre Track of the Arts Magnet Program and Audition.

This advanced level theatre course is the core course of the Theatre Track of the Arts Magnet Program. Students in ART learn the trade of theatre (acting, directing, stage managing, etc) through participation in JSerra's pre-professional theatre company. This class produces its own student-run play once per school year. Grading is primarily based on student performance and participation; there are about 2-3 hours of homework per week and substantial outside of class time commitments during tech week and performances.

• Homework Expectation: 2-3 hours per week
• Year
• 10 Credits
• UC Approval Pending