This course is for serious art students only - and is also the visual arts course students have always wanted to take.  Having satisfied all requirements for Art 1,2, and 3 students will be prepared to choose the direction of their study as they create a portfolio worthy of AP credit.  Students enrolled for AP credit must digitize artwork and upload it to the AP Board website at the end of the year.  Members of this class generate their investigations based on self-guided inquiries and work, largely independently.  Students are required to keep detailed notes explaining their ideas, experiments, inspirations, and research, and are required to participate in group critiques throughout the course.  Participation in the annual Spring Art Show and Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is mandatory.  

Prerequisite: Studio Art II, III, and instructor recommendation

The Advanced Placement offering in the History of Art is designed to provide the same benefits to secondary school students as those provided by an introductory college course in art history: an understanding and appreciation of architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms within
historical and cultural contexts. Students examine major forms of artistic expression from the past as well as the present and from a variety of cultures. They learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate what they see and experience. Students take the A.P. examination at the conclusion of the course and may earn college placement and/or credit.

For Students who have already participated in one year of Chorus at Saint John's High School.

The Saint John’s Concert Band studies and performs music of various styles. Instrumentalists with intermediate proficiency are placed in Concert Band. The topics of basic musicianship, music theory and history, and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance. 

A full year performance ensemble opportunity for guitar students who have completed Guitar I and II - or with the permission of the instructor.  An audition in the Spring is required.   

The Guitar Class accommodates beginner to intermediate level guitar players. The emphasis is on playing the guitar with others in a guitar ensemble. The fundamentals of the guitar will be covered – manual technique of the right and the left hand; playing with a pick and the use of the fingers; the positions of the fret board; reading music in standard notation and tablature; music theory in relation to the guitar. A student’s grade will be earned primarily from progress in performing on the guitar, along with written and listening tests.

Theater Arts I is designed as an introductory course.  The goal of this class is to provide students with broad knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of theatre.  The class will touch on many aspects of acting as well as some basic concepts of theatre production.  Success will be measured in effort and focus.  The goal of this course is not to create the next award-winning actor, but to provide a safe and positive environment where students can explore new ideas outside of their comfort zone.

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of music. Topics include notation, music theory, style analysis, music in foreign cultures, instruments, the keyboard, and composition.

This elective will explore fundamental music theory including harmony and basic ear training. This full-year course is the appropriate course for students who wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam.  A placement exam is required in the Spring for entry into this class.

The Saint John’s String Ensemble studies and performs music of various styles primarily within the classical tradition, from the Baroque to the Modern. Selected wind and brass players join the ensemble for larger works. The topics of basic musicianship, music theory and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance. 

An introductory studio art course that combines Art History and hands-on art projects. Students learn new techniques, skills, and the basic elements of art and principles of design. Students utilize their knowledge to create works of art in a variety of media that correspond to the time periods and cultures they are studying.

The goal of this course is to develop the drawing and design skills of students with an interest in the technical aspects of creating art.  Picking up where Studio Art I left off, the lessons in this class are focussed on achieving realistic-looking artwork using techniques developed during the Renaissance.  While continuing a study of Art History, students will engage in lessons that aid in their mastery of drawing techniques.  There will be a focus on linear perspective, advanced shading, cross-hatching, an introduction to figure drawing, and an in-depth study of portraiture.  Students will participate in group critiques, and compose artist statements to aid their study.  Art 2 Students are required to participate in the annual Spring Art Show and contribute works to Icon.

Highly motivated Saint John's Middle School students interested in moving directly into Art II can opt-in to complete a packet between eighth and ninth grade as course fulfillment after an initial portfolio review with the instructor.

Prerequisite: Studio Art I or Instructor approval.

A continuation of Studio Art 2, the goal of this course is to develop an understanding of light and color as students work in paint media.  Having mastered drawing and rendering skills presented in Art 2, enrolled students will be encouraged to experiment with different styles of painting as they study the expressive qualities of color.  Students will be familiarized with some of the most colorful periods in Art History, beginning with the Inpressionists and Post-Impressionist movements, eventually leading to Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.  For the latter half of this course, students will produce work directly related to the artists and movements they are researching.  Students will keep detailed journals of their ideas and research and are required to participate in the annual Spring Art Show.

Prerequisites:  Studio Art II

The Saint John’s Symphonic Band studies and performs music of various styles including music from standard concert band repertoire. The topics of musicianship, music theory, music history, and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance. Typically students who have first participated in Concert Band advance to Symphonic Band as upperclassmen, but exceptions may be made for proficient underclassmen. Small combos are often created from members of Symphonic Band. 

Theatre Arts Ensemble is a flexible course designed to help further the student's understanding execution, and interest in theatre.  This course cna be repeated as available throughout their Sophomore through Senior years.  Each section of the course will be specifically designed based on the interests of the students enrolled.  Students will explore aspects of theatre through study and practice.  Some topics based on student interest that we will cover may include, acting, dance, directing, movement for theatre, musical theatre, playwriting, technical practicum, theatre history, theatrical design, voice, and speech.