Upper School

Upper School Arts and Design

Upper School Art and Design courses are designed to meet, ignite and expand the learner’s interests and acquire a rich understanding of the language of art and design. Foundational studies introduce students to studio-based learning and the process of creating their own projects while more advanced topics encourage students to search for deeper meaning and purpose. Students are given the opportunity to engage, experiment, research, and develop ideas while building skills using particular tools, approaches and techniques such as drafting, rendering, graphic design, architectural design, three dimensional projects, photography, mixed media, installation art, and interactive art. We welcome innovation in the art and design studio, and we aim to broaden the definition of artistic endeavor.

While Upper School students are given parameters and project completion dates, project goals are unique to each student, allowing one’s creativity to freely unfold. When you walk into an Upper School Art and Design class, you may see one student creating a clay sculpture, another working at the light box on a fashion design project and two other students working together on a stairway art installation. Students are encouraged to problem solve, analyze case studies, look for cultural implications and social impact, and give voice through visual means.

Upper School Music

The Upper School Music Program covers a wide range of musical opportunities and is heavily focused on student interests and talents. Students can engage in singing, instrumental playing, songwriting and composition, music technology, improvisation, music theory, music history and appreciation. Students have opportunities to work in solo and ensemble experiences and have performances throughout the year. In addition, extracurricular music options include Upper School Music Ensemble, which meet weekly during lunch, and Drama Club Musical productions, which rehearse after school.

Upper School Media Arts

Upper School Media Arts is an elective course that allows students to explore the fundamentals of media creation; from pre-production (planning, budgeting, script writing, storyboarding) to production (recording images, video and sound, setting up lighting, green screen special effects, etc) to post-production (editing, titles, audio). Analysis of various film genres, artist movements, and fundamental elements and principles of design are also studied. Students use Apple iMovie, GIMP, Photoshop, and Garageband and get an introduction to professional editing software such as Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion 5, Adobe Premiere, and After Effects. Upper School students direct their own independent projects as they pitch ideas, write proposals, and assemble production teams. Completed work is often submitted to a variety of contests and festivals including WHYY Youth Media Awards, Greenfield Youth Film Festival, and the All American High School Film Fest. All students build executive functioning skills as they manage short and long term projects.

Upper School Drama

The Upper School Drama Program offers opportunities for students to help shape a

class by sharing their interests, knowledge and ideas and proposing projects and possibilities. Beginning with Improvisational Theater, students learn the basic rules of Improv and work together as a team to take risks, develop self confidence and find their voice as an individual, a supportive scene partner and constructive ensemble member. As students progress through the program they have opportunities to take part in plays and musicals in our after-school Drama Club and may use class time to prepare for their roles. Students may also choose to focus on playwriting, preparing for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Competition, create original choreography, or show an interest in set design, stage management, costuming, hair and make-up or running lights and sound.