Art & Music

High School
Middle School

Grades 9 - 12

Art
Music & Performing Arts

The aim of the High School Art Program is to develop each student’s potential for individual art expression through acquiring aesthetic sensitivity, understanding cultural and historical art influences as well as developing technical art skills. The art curriculum is divided structurally into three major areas of study. The fine arts group of courses focuses on a comprehensive exposure to the fine arts, the commercial arts group deals with the vocational or commercial arts and the media arts group of courses focuses on the technology-based media arts field. There are also a number of cross-over courses that may be used in any of the sequences effectively.

Art Course Recommendation Process

In order to build a sequential art experience, students are required to successfully complete the prerequisite course requirements before enrolling in the 4 advanced-level art classes. Advanced Placement courses require students to have an 85 or better average in all of their prior high school art courses along with a recommendation from the student’s present art teacher.

Music & Performing Arts

The objective of all music courses includes improvement of performance skills, increased understanding of the elements of music and development of aesthetic appreciation and love for music by students. Students enrolled in performing groups will have additional opportunities to enhance their high school musical experience through participation in NYSSMA, SCMEA All-County Jazz Ensemble, the Green Machine Marching Band, the spring musical, and other select ensembles. Other opportunities include use of computer technology, field trips, and arts in education experiences that bring professional musicians into the school.