Whitney High School

This year-long course offers students an introduction and foundation for basic art concepts with an emphasis on drawing and painting. Students will experience a wide variety of media such as tempera, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, pencil, paper mache’, printmaking and sculpture. Concepts such as color theory, drawing and shading techniques, linear perspective, human facial proportions, art history and the elements, and the principles of design are explored.

This year long course is designed for the more disciplined art student. The course focuses on further exploration of the principals and elements of design. An increasingly advanced application of technical skill is expected. Regularly scheduled group critiques and individual style and portfolio development are emphasized throughout the year. All students are encouraged to explore arts related college and career options. This class provides an excellent opportunity to begin compiling work for the “Breadth” portion of an AP Portfolio. Those interested in taking AP Art should see the teacher in the spring for summer assignments.

Art IV is designed for the focused and disciplined art student. The year long class provides the opportunity to build a portfolio that includes approximately 15-20 exemplary pieces of art in drawing, painting, color theory, and/or design. A more sophisticated understanding of the  principals and elements of design is developed, and an increasingly advanced application of technical skill is expected. Regularly scheduled group critiques and individual style and portfolio development are emphasized throughout the year. All students are encouraged to explore arts related college and career options. It is suggested that students take a variety of arts courses (Art I, II, Ceramics, Photography I, II or a summer college course) to prepare for this course.  Please consult the VAPA link on the WHS website for specific information regarding summer assignments. 

This year long course offers an introduction to ceramic clay as a visual arts medium. Students will develop skills using a variety of construction methods such as pinch, coil, and slab and learn an array of surface treatments. Instruction covers the Elements and Principles of Design as well as an exploration of art history and sculpture in media other than ceramic.

This year long course is designed for the serious and disciplined art student.  A more sophisticated understanding of the principals and elements of design is developed, and an increasingly advanced application of technical skills is expected.  Regularly scheduled group critiques, further development of drawing skills, and individual style and portfolio development are emphasized throughout the year. Students are encouraged to explore arts related college and career options. 

Ceramics/Sculpture IV is designed for the focused and disciplined art student.  This year long class provides the opportunity for students to continue their development and understanding of the principals and elements of design at a sophisticated level.  An increasingly advanced application of technical skill is expected.  Regularly scheduled group critiques and individual style and portfolio development are emphasized throughout the year.  All students are encouraged to explore arts related college and career options.  It is suggested that students take a variety of arts courses (Art I, II, Ceramics, Photography I, II, or a summer college course).

This year long course is designed for the serious and disciplined art student. The class is designed to provide the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement while still in high school.  AP Studio Art is not assessed by a written examination; instead, students must submit a portfolio for evaluation by the AP College Board at the end of the course. The portfolio includes approximately 25 exemplary works of art in specific categories such as drawing and painting, color/design (Breadth), and a body of work centered on a common theme (Depth). A deeper understanding of the principals and elements of design is developed and an increasingly advanced application of technical skill is expected. Regularly scheduled group critiques and individual style and portfolio development are emphasized throughout the year. Students are encouraged to explore arts related college and career options. It is suggested that students take a variety of arts courses (Art/Design I, II, Computer Art, Ceramics, Photography I, II or a summer college course) to prepare for this course. Students take the AP exam at the end of this course.  Students who pass the test may receive college credit, advanced placement or both depending on the institution’s policies.  Please consult the VAPA link on the WHS website for specific information regarding summer assignments. 

This program provides students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.  AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit a portfolio for evaluation by the College Board towards the end of the course. This portfolio includes approximately 25 exemplary works of art in specific categories including: Quality, Breadth and Concentration, a body of work describing an in-depth exploration of a particular design concern.  It is suggested that students take a variety of arts courses (Ceramics and Sculpture I, II, III, Design I, II, Computer Art, Photography I, II, or a summer college course) to prepare for this course.  (See instructor for summer work.)  Students take the AP exam at the end of this course.  Students who pass the test may receive college credit, advanced placement, or both depending on the institution’s policies.

This is a performance-based class designed to introduce beginning dance students to dance.  The styles and techniques studied include jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern, lyrical, cultural dance forms, and choreography.  Students will study dance technique as well as history and theory.  Students will be required to perform in the annual WHS Dance 1 Show in April. Costumes will be required for dance performances (Please see instructor for more information or modifications).

This is a performance-based class designed for intermediate dancers to strengthen and further skills developed in Dance I.  The styles and techniques studied include jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern, lyrical, cultural dance forms, and choreography.  Students will study dance techniques as well as history and theory.  Students will be required to perform in the annual WHS Advanced Dance Show in May. Costumes will be required for dance performances (Please see instructor for more information or modifications).

This is a performance-based class designed for intermediate dancers to strengthen and further skills developed in Dance I/Dance II.  The styles and techniques studied include jazz, ballet, musical theatre,  hip hop, modern, lyrical, cultural dance forms, and choreography.  Students will study dance techniques as well as history and theory.  Students will be required to perform in the annual WHS Advanced Dance Show in May. Costumes will be required for dance performances (Please see instructor for more information or modifications).

This performance-based class is designed for intermediate-advanced dancers to strengthen and further their skills in hip hop. Students study various styles of hip hop year-round. Students will study dance technique as well as history and theory.  Students will be required to perform in the annual WHS Advanced Dance Show in May.  Costumes will be required for dance performances (Please see instructor for more information or modifications).

This is a performance-based class designed for advanced dancers to provide a more intense study of dance.  Students in Dance III will be required to develop and stage student choreography.  The styles and techniques studied include jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern, lyrical, cultural dance forms, and choreography.  Students will study dance technique as well as history and theory.  Students will be required to perform in the annual WHS Advanced Dance Show in May. Costumes will be required for dance performances (Please see instructor for more information or modifications).

This is a performance-based class designed for the most advanced dancers working towards a career in the dance industry.  Greater emphasis will be placed on student choreography and teaching techniques.   The styles and techniques studied include jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern, lyrical, cultural dance forms, and choreography.  Students will study dance technique as well as history and theory.  Students will be required to perform in the annual Rocklin Unified Dance Show in December, as well as the WHS Advanced Dance Show in May. Costumes will be required for dance performances (Please see instructor for more information or modifications).