This semester course is a continuation of Advanced Digital Arts 1. It is intended to be a more independent, project-based class and the purpose is for each student to apply the technical skills learned in their lower-level digital classes. Each student should be prepared to provide and accomplish specific goals for the semester. Exhibition of the work created is required. Individual and group critiques are part of classroom evaluation and visits to galleries and museums are part of the course activity.

Prerequisites: Advanced Digital Arts I

This one-semester course explores the many career options in broadcast journalism. Students will interact with traditional broadcasting specialties while learning to adapt storytelling and information delivery methods to audiences. The class will experience and learn from current professionals in the field.  Guests will join us live in class and via zoom. Expect the unexpected. 

This introductory course explores the fundamentals of photography, graphic design, and video production. Students will gain a foundational understanding of each discipline, preparing them for more advanced coursework in these areas. The course covers industry-standard software, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and InDesign, and incorporates hands-on learning experiences through field trips. By the end of the course, students will have a basic understanding of art and design principles, digital art software, and digital art equipment.

This course is designed for students who have mastered the fundamentals and are ready to push their creative boundaries. Rather than repetitive technical drills, we use the work of traditional and contemporary masters as a catalyst for deep, long-term thematic exploration. While the focus shifts toward conceptual storytelling, your technical growth remains a priority; each project serves as a laboratory to refine your mastery of manual DSLR controls, advanced lighting, and sophisticated composition. 

To bridge the gap between vision and execution, students will utilize a process sheet for every project to guide them through a workflow. Throughout the process, a critique loop allows for documenting peer feedback and self-reflections to inform meaningful revisions, ensuring the final product aligns with the original artistic intent while demonstrating technical excellence.

This class provides a comprehensive introduction to Adobe Photoshop.  Students learn the basics of image enhancement and how to manipulate photographs using both digital capture and scanned sources. Basic program operation and management are emphasized.  Cropping, making selections, retouching and color balance correction, use of Photoshop layers, layer masks, and sharpening are all examples of topics that are covered.  Students also create new works of art using paint tools and collage.

Prerequisite: Advanced Art I

This class is an honors class; students enrolled in this class must complete the bulk of the projects independently with close guidance from the art teacher. The student is also responsible for the following work: 

• Art historical research project and presentation to one of the art classes.
• Scholastic portfolio submitted to the Scholastic competition. This is a very competitive endeavor, which requires the student to enter ten to twelve pieces.  The work has to be photographically documented and submitted along with a school transcript and a letter of recommendation.
• Individual “solo” exhibition during the second semester. This exhibition will give the student the opportunity to prepare and display the work in a professional manner.

Journalism II provides structured school time for student members of the newspaper and yearbook staff. A workshop approach contributes to a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where students collaborate to meet deadlines. This course encourages curiosity and problem solving as boys brainstorm ideas before drafting, revising, and editing projects.  A required class for all senior editors of The Pine Needle and Raps & Taps, Journalism II is also taken by underclassmen who aspire to a senior editor position.

This course, open to St. Christopher's students in grades 10-12, will provide students with a safe environment to learn and implement the techniques required for effective public speaking— a vital and necessary skill required in most aspects of adult life, but which is often the cause of enormous anxiety and fear. Through an investigation of speaking techniques and regular practical implementation students will learn the tips, tools, and practices they need to dispel their anxieties and become more expressive, convincing and effective public speakers. Modes of assessment will include regular in class presentations, speech writing assignments, readings as assigned, and the delivery of a final prepared speech.

Woodworking is a branch of the Fine Arts Program.  Classes are one semester in length in the Upper School.  The course material progresses from one level to the next with each designed to broaden the base of technical knowledge, skills, and innovation, thereby equipping each student to explore woodworking in an increasingly independent and creative way.  

Woodworking I begins with an introduction and orientation to life in the wood shop, which covers machine usage, safety procedures, and the basics of lumber prep. The main project, building an Adirondack chair, consists of two sections: lumber processing and chair assembly, each teaching skills such as cutting, shaping, using a jig, making duplicates, and finding angles. Students will learn lessons in efficiency, preparation, patience, and how these play into making not only a well rounded woodworker, but a problem solver. Time permitting, students will apply their skills into a lamp project, strengthening their technical abilities through creativity and self expression. Assessments will be on their wood processing, understanding of safety, project completion, and overall behavior and effort in the class.

Woodworking is a branch of the Fine Arts Program.  Classes are one semester in length in the Upper School.  The course material progresses from one level to the next with each designed to broaden the base of technical knowledge, skills, and innovation, thereby equipping each student to explore woodworking in an increasingly independent and creative way.  

Woodworking II grows upon the technical and creative basics of the previous class by learning the detailed origins of each process and beginning to independently apply them. Topics include: squaring stock, jig and cut list creation, mortise and drill press set up, and sharpening tools. Students work through design, preparation, and an execution process that involves advanced joinery techniques. After completion, there will be an opportunity for more independent design and construction of a project of their choosing to further develop their artistic exploration.

Woodworking is a branch of the Fine Arts Program.  Classes are one semester in length in the Upper School.  The course material progresses from one level to the next with each designed to broaden the base of technical knowledge, skills, and innovation, thereby equipping each student to explore woodworking in an increasingly independent and creative way.  

Woodworking III promotes students' individual creative expression in an advanced technical way. Through evocative research, conception, and principles of design, they will create a piece with advanced joinery and craftsmanship. The goal of the class is for the student to independently create their piece with some instructive assistance.

In this course, open to St. Christopher's 9th and 10th graders only, students will learn to read as writers and build a portfolio of creative writing. While students will be exposed to selections of prose (short fiction and personal essay), poetry, and scenes from screenplays to explore various forms of storytelling, this class will be driven by student interest. Are you into Sci-Fi? Great. Do you want to write speculative fiction or short screenplay? Wonderful. Students will be given agency to explore their own passions as long as it takes the shape of artful writing. We will work to build a generous culture of peer feedback, and students should expect to share their work regularly throughout the semester and help their peers achieve their artistic potential. Offered if numbers permit.