Academics

Explore our Curriculum

Arts

The art program encourages students to discover a personal vision and to express themselves using multiple senses. Emphasizing experiential and hands-on learning, art courses encourage students to think creatively, to develop ideas, and to take risks in untried areas. Junior School art courses focus on introducing skills and building confidence within each of the disciplines. In Middle and Senior School, the Department offers a wide variety of choices, enabling students to specialize or to experiment as they wish. In addition to course offerings, the Arts Department encourages all students to participate in dramatic productions, concerts, and gallery exhibitions at Hopkins.

A minimum of 1½ credits in art is required for graduation.

Students must take at least ½ a credit in Grades 9 or 10 and ½ a credit in Grades 11 or 12.
 
  • Acting II

    Grades 10–12. Term II, ½ credit.

    Building on the techniques and skills introduced in Acting I, students continue to explore character development, text analysis and staging. To provide focus for class work, a play will be selected for the students enrolled in this course. This text serves as a springboard for students to dig deeper into character objective, action, subtext, as well as the physical life of the play. Students work toward immediacy in their performances, learning to trust their instincts and live in the moment, while staying connected to the ensemble and the physical life of the play. (Prerequisite: Acting I)
  • Ceramics (T2)

    Grades 11 & 12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Students learn basic techniques of working with clay: hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing and decorating. Exercises stimulate the imagination and response to the medium of clay. The course includes specific assignments as well as student-devised projects.
  • Concert Band

    Grades 9–12. Full year plus required performances, 1 credit.

    This ensemble is devoted to playing masterworks from the wind band literature as well as other music written for woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. The course may also accept a limited number of pianists and upright/electric bassists. Aside from rehearsing performance repertoire, the class may also incorporate chamber music, music theory, or composing/arranging. The ensemble performs publicly at least twice per year. (All students must re-audition every year.)
  • Design Engineering (T2)

    Grades 10–12, Term II, ½ credit.
    (Students may declare credit for Science or Art.)

    Answering the call of twenty-first century research to
    recognize the powerful synergy between art and science,
    this multidisciplinary course is team-taught by teachers
    in both disciplines. Students explore the space where
    science and art overlap by working individually and
    collaboratively on a series of projects and research-based
    experiments. Equal time in the classroom, laboratory,
    and art studio enables students to learn the science,
    practice visualizations, and produce viable, creative,
    and whimsical solutions to scientific problems. Projects
    may include designing vehicles in which fluid dynamics
    serve as inspiration for beautiful line patterns and vice
    versa, creating structures that recognize the relationship
    of form and function in architecture, mapping the
    mathematics in nature, manipulating waveforms in the
    production of music and optical effects. This course
    counts as an academic course for determining course
    load. (Co-requisite: Precalculus or higher)
  • Design: Making and Prototyping

    Grades 9–11, Term II, ½ credit.

    This course is an opportunity for students to innovate, create, and develop an idea into a physical object. Design and maker principles are taught to establish the cognitive framework for students to identify and solve problems related to health and wellness, sustainability, and cultural and social awareness. Dreaming, brainstorming, verbal and written communication, researching, sketching, designing and engineering provide a blueprint for design. Following the creative process, a variety of materials and methods, tools and technology, and multidisciplinary guidance provide the means to build, assess, and refine the object into a prototype.
  • Digital Photography (T2)

    Grades 9–12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Students learn the controls of a digital camera and techniques for improving images using Photoshop and other Adobe imaging software. By analyzing the formal and aesthetic properties of their own work as well as the work of accomplished photographers, students develop an ability to make intentional compositions that convey their unique way of seeing the world. Students must have a digital camera with manual aperture and shutter controls. Rental cameras are available.
  • Grade 7 - Instrumental Ensemble

    Students who wish to experience the rewards of ensemble playing will enjoy this art choice. The course introduces students to the skills and techniques of musical collaboration. Repertoire is chosen depending on instrumentation and the ability level of the group. The Grade 7 Instrumental Ensemble accommodates all instruments except drums, percussion, and electric guitar. (Audition is required.)
  • Grade 8 - Drama (T2)

    Offered Term 2.

    Students develop their imaginations through theater games and improvisations. They also analyze and perform classical and modern scripts.
  • Grade 8 - Studio Art (T2)

    Offered Term 2.

    This course is designed to help students attain a general knowledge of drawing and painting and working in clay. For homework, students keep a sketch diary to develop drawing as a form of self-expression parallel to language.
  • Grade 8 - Wood Art (T2)

    Offered in Term 2.

    In this course students learn the basics of cutting, shaping, carving, and joining wood using a variety of hand and power tools. Students begin by creating a low relief sculptural piece from a plank of wood. Later projects might include building boxes, small furniture pieces, and wooden toys.
  • Graphic Design (T2)

    Grades 9–12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    This course introduces students to the principles and elements of design and the creative process of manipulating visual properties to communicate information. Students will explore traditional graphic design production techniques as well as apply contemporary computer-generated processes using adobe illustrator and photoshop. Design problems range from abstract studies to applied works such as posters, logos, and more.
  • Improvisation (T2)

    Grades 9–12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit.

    Students use theater games and scenic improvisation to explore new ways of creating and portraying character, stories, and ideas. The students’ work culminates in the creation and presentation of a final performance piece.
  • Intermediate Digital Photography (T2)

    Grades 9–12. Offered Term II, ½ credit.  Fee: $30

    During the first half of the course, students improve camera skills and advance their knowledge of Photoshop manipulations, including the use of Camera RAW, photomontaging, and blending modes. During the second half, students define a long-term photographic project in which they fine-tune their visual exploration of an idea through regular shooting, printing, and critiquing their work. Students must have a digital camera with manual aperture and shutter controls. Rental cameras are available. (Prerequisite: Digital Photography)
  • Introduction to Studio Art (T1)

    Grades 9–11. Term I or Term II , ½ credit.  Fee: $30

    This course introduces students to foundational elements of two-dimensional and three-dimensional studio art. Projects will evolve from drawing and painting to sculptural form, working in a variety of 2D and 3D mediums. By exploring concepts of line, value, positive and negative space, color theory, form and scale, students will have the opportunity to express themselves creatively and broaden their visual art vocabulary. This course provides a strong base for a continuation of art study. A homework sketchbook is required. (This course is a prerequisite for Intermediate 2D Studio Art and Intermediate 3D Studio Art.)
  • Introduction to Studio Art (T2)

    Grades 9–11. Term I or Term II , ½ credit. Fee: $30

    This course introduces students to foundational elements of two-dimensional and three-dimensional studio art. Projects will evolve from drawing and painting to sculptural form, working in a variety of 2D and 3D mediums. By exploring concepts of line, value, positive and negative space, color theory, form and scale, students will have the opportunity to express themselves creatively and broaden their visual art vocabulary. This course provides a strong base for a continuation of art study. A homework sketchbook is required. (This course is a prerequisite for Intermediate 2D Studio Art and Intermediate 3D Studio Art.)
  • Studio Art I (T2)

    Grades 9 & 10. Offered Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    The first quarter of this course is devoted to the development of essential drawing skills and techniques. As the term unfolds, students are introduced to the various elements of 2-D design, color theory and painting techniques, as well as ceramic sculpting and other three-dimensional work. (Recommended as a prerequisite for Studio Art II and the Advanced Studio Art Program.)
  • Theater Seminar

    Building on students’ foundational experience in Acting and Ensemble Theater Performance, this advanced theater seminar will feature a different topic each semester, chosen according to the interests of the students and instructor.  Acting topics may include continued skill refinement, working with verse, movement, the audition process, as well as devised theater. Topics for students interested in theatrical production may include directing and stage management. Students will engage in intensive work that synthesizes and capitalizes on their previous theater studies. 
    (Prerequisites: Acting or Ensemble Theater Performance. Students may take this seminar up to three times.)
  • Theater Workshop

    Grades 9 & 10. offered Term II, ½ credit.

    This workshop for students interested in all aspects of theater introduces basic performance techniques, investigates the process of play production, and explores technical aspects such as lighting and set construction. Students prepare scripted material and develop their own projects for performance. They gain practical experience by working on at least one main stage production.
  • Woodworking (T2)

    Grades 9 & 10. Term I or Term II , ½ credit.  Fee: $30

    This introductory woodworking course is suited to students who have not previously studied woodworking, and will challenge those who have. Students begin by learning the basics of joinery through the building of tool boxes and go on to design and build a piece of furniture of their choosing. Past projects include tables, chairs, and small cabinets. Students use any remaining time to complete a project of their own devising. Students gain extensive experience with a wide range of hand and power tools. The importance of precision is emphasized in every phase of a project.
  • Grade 7 - Arts

    During Grade 7, a different aspect of art—Studio Art, Drama, and either Instrumental Ensemble or Vocal Arts—is introduced during each of the first three quarters. The emphasis is on learning the basic crafts of each art form and having fun. Students choose to continue in one of these disciplines for the final quarter.

    The Grade 7 Instrumental Ensemble accommodates all instruments except drums, percussion, and electric guitar. Pianists may be offered a place in an ensemble of mixed instrumentation or in a piano workshop in which students learn ensemble skills using two and four-hand piano repertoire. Instrumental Ensemble requires a short audition to ensure that the student can read music and play an instrument at a level that enables learning from the ensemble experience.
  • Grade 8 - Drama

    Offered Term 1.

    Students develop their imaginations through theater games and improvisations. They also analyze and perform classical and modern scripts.
  • Grade 8 - Instrumental Ensemble

    Students who wish to experience the rewards of ensemble playing will enjoy this art choice. The course introduces students to the skills and techniques of musical collaboration. Repertoire is chosen depending on instrumentation and the ability level of the group. The Grade 8 Instrumental Ensemble accommodates all instruments except drums, percussion, and electric guitar. (Audition is required.)
  • Grade 8 - Studio Art

    Offered Term 1.

    This course is designed to help students attain a general knowledge of drawing and painting and working in clay. For homework, students keep a sketch diary to develop drawing as a form of self-expression parallel to language.
  • Grade 8 - Vocal Arts

    This course is for students with a keen interest in singing in two and three part harmony, in preparation for Concert Choir in the Middle School years. It also emphasizes vocal production, basic music theory and sight singing.
  • Grade 8 - Wood Art

    Offered Term 1.

    In this course students learn the basics of cutting, shaping, carving, and joining wood using a variety of hand and power tools. Students begin by creating a low relief sculptural piece from a plank of wood. Later projects might include building boxes, small furniture pieces, and wooden toys.
  • Improvisation (T1)

    Grades 9–12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit.

    Students use theater games and scenic improvisation to explore new ways of creating and portraying character, stories, and ideas. The students’ work culminates in the creation and presentation of a final performance piece.
  • Acting

    Grades 10–12. Term I , ½ credit.

    Designed to offer students an opportunity to explore acting in a playful and supportive environment, this course introduces the techniques an actor uses when preparing a character. Through the use of theater exercises, monologues and scene study, students develop their focus and concentration, work on their vocal and physical technique, and open up their imaginations to the idea of playing a character.
  • Public Speaking

    Grades 11 & 12. Term II, ½ credit.

    This course prepares students for the many situations in which they may be required to deliver public addresses. Students analyze styles of oration in the media as well as on campus for efficiency and clarity. Special attention is given to presenting a confident stance, coordinating gestures and to articulate diction. Possible projects include making announcements, introducing guests, delivering toasts, teaching lessons and presenting a formal speech in assembly.
  • Ensemble Theater Performance

    Grades 9 & 10. Term I, ½ credit.

    Students participate as actors in a drama production in which the ensemble is on stage during the entire performance. Through a series of vigorous group exercises and collaborative planning, the ensemble experience teaches students the strength and beauty that a coordinated group of actors can offer any performance. Class-time rehearsals and tech rehearsals culminate in two required performances at the end of the term.
  • Concert Choir

    Grades 9–12. Full year plus required performances, 1 credit.

    Concert Choir exposes students to principles of theory, harmony, and vocal technique as well as concepts of balance, blend, phrasing, nuance and style through study and performance of diverse choral repertoire. Students pursue individual musical excellence within the context of a supportive, community-oriented ensemble. Sectional rehearsals are scheduled within normal class time. This course requires two major public performances each year. (All students must re-audition every year.)
  • Orchestra

    Grades 9–12. Full year plus required performances, 1 credit.

    This course is a performance ensemble dedicated to exploring great works in the classical tradition. Most class time is devoted to rehearsal, but music theory and history enhance the study of the repertoire. The ensemble performs publicly at least twice per year. (All students must re-audition every year.)
  • Jazz Band

    Grades 9–12. Full year plus required performances, 1 credit.

    The Jazz Band performs selections from jazz, blues, rock, Latin, funk, and other genres in the context of a standard “big band” (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, upright or electric bass, drum set, and auxiliary percussion). This high-energy ensemble frequently performs at events on and off campus. The class will also explore elements of improvisation, music theory, combo playing, and jazz arranging. The ensemble performs publicly at least twice per year. (All students must re-audition every year.)
  • AP® Music Theory [Fundamentals]

    Grades 10–12. Term I, ½ credit.

    This course develops a broad vocabulary for describing and analyzing music. Students practice music notation and develop aural skills through singing and dictation exercises. Directed listening and composition assignments enhance the understanding of texture and form. Course requirements include regular homework assignments, tests, and a final composition project. Students who successfully complete both terms of AP Music Theory may consider registering for the Advanced Placement Examination in Music Theory. This course counts as an academic course for determining course load.

    *AP®, Advanced Placement®, and SAT® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
  • Digital Photography (T1)

    Grades 9–12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Students learn the controls of a digital camera and techniques for improving images using Photoshop and other Adobe imaging software. By analyzing the formal and aesthetic properties of their own work as well as the work of accomplished photographers, students develop an ability to make intentional compositions that convey their unique way of seeing the world. Students must have a digital camera with manual aperture and shutter controls. Rental cameras are available.
  • Graphic Design (T1)

    Grades 9–12. Term I or Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    This course introduces students to the principles and elements of design and the creative process of manipulating visual properties to communicate information. Students will explore traditional graphic design production techniques as well as apply contemporary computer-generated processes using adobe illustrator and photoshop. Design problems range from abstract studies to applied works such as posters, logos, and more.
  • Intermediate Digital Photography (T1)

    Grades 9–12. Offered Term I, ½ credit.  Fee: $30

    During the first half of the course, students improve camera skills and advance their knowledge of Photoshop manipulations, including the use of Camera RAW, photomontaging, and blending modes. During the second half, students define a long-term photographic project in which they fine-tune their visual exploration of an idea through regular shooting, printing, and critiquing their work. Students must have a digital camera with manual aperture and shutter controls. Rental cameras are available. (Prerequisite: Digital Photography)
  • Advanced Digital Photography

    Grades 10–12. Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Motivated by questions and curiosities, students will work closely with the course instructor to define their own photography projects and generate a portfolio of conceptual works that demonstrate a distinct perspective, technical merit, and sensitivity to composition. Students will be expected to take ownership of their creative decisions and present their final resolutions in an intellectual manner. It is suggested that students have a digital SLR camera, however it is not required. (Prerequisite: Intermediate Photography and departmental approval)
  • Fundamentals of Video Production

    Grades 9–12. Term I, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Making movies has never been easier technically. No matter what your style or genre, there are core principles and craft skills that we study and practice in this introductory course on storytelling in movies. We develop group projects for film festivals, study masterworks to gather strategies, and put those strategies into action with HD camcording and the Adobe Pro Suite. Students can expect to create one finished short film and one role on a finished group film, with lots of room to grow.
  • Advanced Video Production

    Grades 10–12. Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Moviemaking takes a term to learn, and a lifetime to master. Advanced skills include working with actors, understanding subtext and visual design, and matching craft decisions to story points. Sound design, the other half of moviemaking, gets a closer look. Working with close mentorship and our Adobe Pro Suite workshop, students develop their own projects to build portfolio pieces. (Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Video Production or departmental approval)
  • American Film Experience

    Grades 11 & 12. Term I, ½ credit.

    Students view films of major American directors, including Ford, Hitchcock, Welles, Kubrick, Kazan, Scorsese and others, from the silent era to the present. Films highlight different genres including the gangster film, the western, the musical, film noir and the horror film. Emphasis is on evaluating cinematic technique in relation to plot.
  • Woodworking (T1)

    Grades 9 & 10. Term I or Term II , ½ credit.  Fee: $30

    This introductory woodworking course is suited to students who have not previously studied woodworking, and will challenge those who have. Students begin by learning the basics of joinery through the building of tool boxes and go on to design and build a piece of furniture of their choosing. Past projects include tables, chairs, and small cabinets. Students use any remaining time to complete a project of their own devising. Students gain extensive experience with a wide range of hand and power tools. The importance of precision is emphasized in every phase of a project.
  • Architecture

    Grades 9–12. Term I, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    Through sketching, model making, class discussion, and viewing images of architecture, students explore elements of architectural design, such as form and mass, site and context, scale and proportion, rhythm and composition, texture and pattern, detail and light. Students then undertake a more formal analysis of building and site by measuring, calculating, and drawing plans, sections, and elevations of a particular building. Finally, students work within given site restrictions and programming requirements to create individual design projects, which they present as drawings and 3-D models.
  • Furniture as Sculpture, Sculpture as Furniture

    Grades 10–12. Term II, ½ credit. Fee: $30

    This course introduces students to the basics of furniture making with an emphasis on conceiving of furniture as sculpture. Students learn essential woodworking techniques and joinery using hand and power tools. Wood is the primary medium, but students are also encouraged to utilize recycled materials, found objects, and other non-traditional elements. Projects include the construction of tables, chairs, and other standard furniture pieces, as well as the students’ own more purely sculptural designs. No previous woodworking experience is required. 
  • AP® Art History: A Global Perspective: Prehistory to 14th Century

    Grades 11 & 12. Term I, ½ credit.

    Students examine major forms of artistic expression from ancient times through the Gothic Era from a variety of cultures in the Western world, with a parallel emphasis on non-Western cultures. Emphasis is on learning to see, evaluate, relate, and compare visual forms in architecture, sculpture, and painting. This course counts as an academic course for determining course load.

    *AP®, Advanced Placement®, and SAT® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
  • AP® Art History: A Global Perspective: 14th Century to 21st Century

    Grades 11 & 12. Term II, ½ credit.

    Students examine major forms of artistic expression from the Renaissance Era through the present in the Western world, with a parallel emphasis on non-Western cultures. Emphasis is on learning to see, evaluate, relate, and compare visual forms in architecture, sculpture, and painting. This course is a continuation of the Term I AP Art History course and completes a student’s preparation for the Advanced Placement Examination in Art History. However, students have the option of taking either course separately. This course counts as an academic course for determining course load.

    *AP®, Advanced Placement®, and SAT® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.

Our Faculty

  • Photo of Robert Smith
    Robert Smith
    Art Department Chair / Director of Instrumental Music
    203.397.1001 x796
    Florida State University - Bachelor of Music
    Florida State University - M.M.E.
  • Photo of Derek Byron
    Derek Byron
    Visual Art
    203.397.1001 x798
    Bucknell University - B.A.
    Rhode Island School of Design - M.Arch
  • Photo of Michael Calderone
    Michael Calderone
    Drama
    203.397.1001 x240
    Rutgers University - B.A.
    New York University - M.A.
  • Photo of Erik Elligers
    Erik Elligers
    Music Teacher
    203.397.1001 x639
  • Photo of Ian Guthrie
    Ian Guthrie
    Head Adviser Class of 2029 / Visual Arts / History
    203.397.1001 x619
    Stetson University - B.A.
    University of Colorado - M.A.
  • Photo of Hope Hartup
    Hope Hartup
    Drama
    203.397.1001 x242
    Beloit College - B.A.
    Yale University - M.F.A.
  • Photo of Esthea Kim
    Esthea Kim
  • Photo of Jacqueline LaBelle-Young
    Jacqueline LaBelle-Young
    Visual Art
    203.397.1001 x321
    University of Connecticut - B.F.A.
    Central Connecticut State University - M.F.A.
  • Photo of Jonathan Nast
    Jonathan Nast
    Arts Teacher
    203.397.1001 x624
    Gettysburg College - B.A.
    Southern CT State University - M.S.
  • Photo of R.C. Sayler
    R.C. Sayler
    Visual Art
    203-397-1001 x603
    Rhode Island School of Design - M.F.A.
    Greenville College - B.A.
  • Photo of Erika Schroth
    Erika Schroth
    Director of Choral Music
    203.397.1001 x731
    University of Michigan - M.M.
    Concordia College - B.M.
  • Photo of Peter Ziou
    Peter Ziou
    Visual Art
    203.397.1001 x675
    Maryland Institute College of Arts - B.F.A.
    Yale University - M.F.A.
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Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.