Art Foundations

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 0.5

Course Description: In this entry-level course, students will study and apply the Elements of Art: Line, Shape, Space, Volume, Form, and Texture by creating multicultural works of art in diverse art media. Students will explore different art forms and materials by creating drawings, paintings, collages, sculptures and printing. This course is designed to encourage students to find their artistic eye while learning about world cultures, different art styles, art history, and artists.

Graphic Design and Textiles

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 0.5

Course Description: This course introduces students to hands-on art-making through the exploration and production of textile and paper printing tools such as linoleum stamps, silkscreens, resist painting, and fabric dyeing. By using Photoshop and Illustrator to produce, refine and develop original ideas, students will be encouraged to create wearable art such as apparel and accessories. Students will learn about the different types of fibers and textiles as well as their history and present manufacturing. Through the exploration of different cultures, students will use visual research to find inspiration in the development of their designs.

Sculpture

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12

Credit:  0.5 

Course Description: Students will learn a wide range of sculpting techniques that use additive and subtractive processes.  Building volume in form by modeling clay, constructing armatures, carving plaster, welding and assemblage of found materials are some of the projects covered in class.  Students will experience unique opportunities at studios outside the art room for this course.

IB Visual Arts (Year 1)

Grade: 11

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite:​ Recommendation and Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or the Individual Course Candidate Programme.

Course Description: *​Two year course​*
The visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to further study of visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.

IB Visual Arts (Year 2)

Grade: 12
Credit: 1.0

Course Description: *​Two year course​*  See description from Year 1 for details.

Exploring Computer Science

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 0.5

Course Description:  This course is a semester-long introductory course that emphasizes basic programming components and analytical thinking through visual programming languages. This course advocates a "hands-on" learning approach in which students' primary means of learning through discovery, experimentation, and application. To that end, each unit is designed around a large, culminating, programming project that exercises the objectives of the unit. The lessons provide the skills and support necessary to enable students demonstrate mastery of the unit's objectives and prepare them for future classes in computer science and robotics.

Introduction to Python Programming

Grade: 9, 10,11,12

Credit: 0.5

Prerequisite: (for Freshmen only) Exploring Computer Science

Course Description: ​This course is designed to teach you how to program using Python. We'll cover the building blocks of the language, programming design fundamentals, how to use the standard library, third-party packages, and how to create Python projects. In the end, you should have a grasp of how to program.
By the time you've finished this course you will be able to: ​Read, write, and understand Python code. Have a basic understanding of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Utilize Python as a primary language for tooling. Develop Python projects from start to finish.

Robotics            

Grade:  10,11,12

Credit: 0.5

Prerequisite: Exploring Computer Science

Course description:  Robotics is an introductory course that introduces students to the fundamentals of Robotics via a semester-long project where each student will build and program their own robot.  Robots are used to educate students in engineering basics, physical and programmable elements of robots, robotic control using fuzzy logic and fundamentals of textual computer programming.  Students will learn via a series of hands-on engineering challenges through which they must solve via programmatic control of the robots.

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles

Grade:  11, 12

Credit:  1.0

Prerequisite: Exploring Computer Science

Course Description: AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the central ideas of computer science, inviting students to develop the computational thinking vital for success across multiple disciplines.  The course is unique in its focus on fostering students to be creative and encouraging students to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts.  Students will design and implement innovative solutions using an iterative process similar to what artists, writers, computer scientists, and engineers use to bring ideas to life.

To appeal to a broader audience, including those often underrepresented in computing, this course highlights the relevance of computer science by emphasizing the vital impact advances in computing have on people and society.  This course teaches students how to connect computing to other disciplines. Students can take these two AP courses in any order or at the same time, as schedules permit.  It is equivalent to a college-level computing class.

Engineering Essentials (PLTW)
Grade: 10, 11, 12 Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B (84%) in Algebra 1

Course Description: Engineering Essentials offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning foundational concepts of engineering practice, providing students opportunities to explore the breadth of engineering career opportunities and experiences and solve engaging and challenging real-world problems. By inspiring and empowering students with an understanding of engineering and career opportunities, Engineering Essentials broadens participation in engineering education and the engineering profession.

Band (Performance Ensemble)

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Course Description: Students in band will perform together in a variety of contexts throughout the school and community. While playing a variety of repertoire, members of Pep Band will develop excellent musicianship, improve instrument- playing skills, learn to work as an ensemble, and create a musical environment that inspires school spirit. Instruments in this ensemble include woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, bass, and percussion. This course may be repeated for credit.

Choir (Performance Ensemble)

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 1.0

Course description:  Choir will sing a diverse repertoire of music and perform at DePaul and in the surrounding community. Students in choir will provide music at liturgies, host traditional concerts at school, sing for various school events, and seek opportunities to share music within our neighborhood and city. Members of Choir will develop excellent musicianship, build aural skills, improve singing technique, practice sight singing, learn to work as an ensemble, and perform a variety of repertoire. No prior experience is necessary.  This class may be repeated for credit.

Music Production and Composition (Non-performance)

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Credit: 0.5

Course description: Music Production and Composition will provide students with the skills and technological understanding necessary to create, produce, perform, and share their own musical compositions. Students in this course will create music using standard instruments and notation, and digitally with GarageBand and other apps and programs. Students will work individually, collaborate on projects, and objectively critique one another’s work. Much of the work in this class will be project-based, and students will compile a portfolio of their work.  No prior experience is necessary.

Introduction to Theater Arts

Grade:   9, 10, 11, 12

Credit:   0.5

Course Description: Introduction to Theater Arts is a one-semester course open to all grade levels, which explores the elements of drama through improvisation, theatre games, and scenes from contemporary plays. Students will develop skills in acting, storytelling, and scene analysis, as well as understanding the processes of creating live theatre. Completion of this course serves as the prerequisite class that allows entrance into any of the classes that follow below.

Advanced Acting/Scene Study

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12

Credit:  0.5

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of “C” or better in Introduction to Theater Arts

Course Description: This one-semester course builds on the foundations of the acting process, and expands on them through more formal work with scripted texts, voice and speech, and the consideration of thematic statements of the playwright. Emphasis will be placed on looking for solutions in the text that enhance and intensify theatrical moments. Case studies in selected plays (American Realism) will begin with close reading and analysis, followed by selection and performance of scenes. Class work will involve more rehearsal and preparation with actors required to articulate and justify their choices. As work progresses, the scripted material will become more complex and challenging. Class will culminate in a showcase of scenes presented as part of the Spring Festival of the Arts.

Physical Characterization

Grade:   9, 10, 11, 12

Credit:   0.5

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of “C” or better in Introduction to Theater Arts

Course Description: This one-semester course emphasizes the creation of character from the outside-in. Exercises and in-class projects focus on the use of the entire body as an instrument in storytelling and trace the use of character archetypes in various theatrical styles and time periods. Units include improvisation, observation, pantomime, neutral and character mask, commedia, and clown. Class will culminate in a student presentation as part of the Spring Festival of the Arts.

Directing and Playwriting

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12

Credit:  0.5

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of “C” or better in Introduction to Theater Arts

Course Description: This one-semester course focuses on the roles of playwright and director in the process of bringing narrative to life on stage by taking a larger view of the production. Staging concepts, use of visual image, and sound are explored as means to enhance and economize events as parts of the forward movement of a dramatic arc. Students will then employ various initiatives in generating original scripted material for two to five characters. Class will culminate in a student-driven ten-minute play festival written, directed, and performed as part of the Spring Festival of the Arts.