Electives

Art 1 - Tutor: Ellen Lingo (click for bio)

No prior art experience is needed.  

• This middle school art class provides students with a foundation in art technique, expression, and historical analysis. This 32-week class is designed to improve students’ art skills through pencil, pen, colored pencil, and pastel drawing projects as well as painting projects. Students will develop their creativity and be able to incorporate art elements (line, shape, color, value, form texture, and space) as they build a sketchbook portfolio with technical exercises and drawing projects. They will begin with a pencil drawing project where students will learn how to analyze and correctly render proportions. From there they will move into additional pencil projects, pen, and colored pencil drawings as they learn to incorporate value, visual texture, composition, and perspective into their drawings. In the second semester, students will be creating watercolor and acrylic painting projects. They will build on their understanding of value, composition, and color theory from the first semester and learn how to incorporate those concepts into watercolor and acrylic projects.

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• Materials:  

  • 9x12 sketchbook 

  • Set of drawing pencils that include: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B 

  • Erasers 

  • Blending tools  

  • 18 inch ruler 

  • Fine point permanent pen 

  • 8x10 canvas 

  • Paint brushes 

  • Prang watercolor paint ​

• Course Credit: 1 credit as an Elective

• Annual Tuition: $555 (Materials Fee: $50)

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Art 2 - Tutor: Ellen Lingo (click for bio)

No prior art experience is needed.  

This 32-week high school art class expands students' prior understanding of art technique,  creative expression and historical analysis through a series of 2D drawing and painting projects  in pencil, pen, and colored pencil as well as watercolor and acrylic paints. Students will  develop their creativity and be able to incorporate art elements (line, shape, color, value, form  texture, and space) as they build a sketchbook portfolio with technical exercises and drawing  projects. They will begin with a pencil drawing where they will learn more advanced techniques  in composition and perspective drawing. From there, students will learn how to incorporate visual texture in a pen drawing. They will then conclude the semester with color theory and technique that teaches students how to blend and layer colored pencils in a colored pencil animal portrait. In the second semester, students will be creating watercolor and acrylic painting projects. They will build on their understanding of value, composition and color theory from the first semester and learn how to incorporate those concepts into watercolor and acrylic projects. 

 

• Materials:  

  • 9x12 sketchbook 

  • Set of drawing pencils that include: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B 

  • Erasers 

  • Blending tools 

  • 18 inch ruler 

  • Fine point permanent pen 8x10 canvas 

  • Prang watercolor paints

• Course Credit: 1 credit as an Elective

• Annual Tuition: $545 (Materials Fee: $25)

  • Materials:  

    • 9x12 sketchbook 

    • Set of drawing pencils that include: 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B 

    • Erasers 

    • Blending tools 

    • 18 inch ruler 

    • Fine point permanent pen 8x10 canvas 

    • Prang watercolor paints

• Prerequisite: None

• Course Credit: 1 credit as an Elective

• Annual Tuition: $555 (Materials Fee: $25)

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Ceramics 1 & 2 - Tutor: Anita Moree (click for bio)

No prior art experience is needed.  

In this class students will learn the essentials of working with clay including, pinch pots, coil and slab building, and glazing. Students will produce glazed and kiln fired work over the year and exhibit it to friends and family at the end of the year. 

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• First (1st) year students will learn foundations of hand building with clay including  coil, pinch and slab.

• Second (2nd) year students will employ the skills learned in first year with more freedom, while still having teacher assistance and feedback.

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Both classes are during the same block.

 

• Materials:  

  • Click here for the materials that must be purchased before the fist day of class, as the materials fee only covers the clay and glazing costs.​

• Course Credit: 1 credit as an Elective

• Annual Tuition: $555 (Materials Fee: $50)

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Public Speaking (class): Inga Maesk (click for bio)

Debate is an elective that will give students an introduction to a variety of public speaking and formal debate styles, with a focus on the format of Public Forum and/or Lincoln-Douglas. Instruction will include research, observation, and practice with the purpose to instill in students the skills of presentation, critical thinking, research, and analysis.

 

Course objectives include: learning effective research techniques in order to organize data into a persuasive speech and anticipate opposing arguments; practicing strong argumentative and rhetorical techniques while avoiding fallacies and other unethical debate practices; use active listening and note-taking skills during debates in order to strengthen or refute a position; developing strong public speaking skills by delivering both planned and impromptu speeches; and improving interpersonal skills by collaborating with teammates. Students will explore elements of debate in a non-competitive environment, but they are encouraged to participate in both local and out of town competitions. Debaters will be evaluated on their analysis, use of evidence, and ability to effectively and persuasively organize, deliver, and refute arguments. There will be opportunities to compete in CCofSE and STOA League Speech Tournaments.

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• Course Credit: 1 credit as an Elective

• Available: Open to all middle and high school grades 

• Annual Tuition: $555

• Important Note: This class is part of the drop-off Tutorials, which is different than if a family participates in the Speech Club. If you'd like to learn the different between this Tutorials class, and our Speech & Debate Academic Club, please visit our Speech Page for more details.

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Physical Education (Fitness): Richard Wells (Coach Rich) (click for bio)

Fitness training for this course will consist of students learning how to move and control their body weight as well proper technique for running and jumping. This includes exercises like sprints, push-ups, lunges, broad jumps, etc. Parents can expect to see improvements in movement quality, strength, speed, endurance, and mobility, which will translate into any/all sports. 

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• Click here to read more about what this course offers

• Click here to read more about D1 Training​

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• Materials:  ​

  • Exercise/fitness clothing to allow for movement​

  • Sneakers/tennise shoes

• Course Credit: 1 Physical Education OR Elective credit

• Annual Tuition: $250 per semester