2025-26 Upper School Curriculum Guide

From introductory-level classes through the Advanced Placement Studio Art program, the RCDS Upper School Visual Arts department has something for everyone. We offer a broad range of classes in drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, videography, sculpture, and design. Classes take place in the Cohen Center for the Creative Arts, which offers capacious studio rooms, a digital media lab, a video production area, and exhibition space. Our faculty challenge students to take creative risks, to value the creative process, to discover innovative ways to give visual form to their ideas, and to develop their own aesthetic sensibilities. RCDS student-artists regularly exhibit their works around campus as well as in regional exhibitions and competitions.

Course Selection Guidelines

The following courses have NO PREREQUISITES: Painting 1; Drawing 1; Ceramics 1; Photography 1; Digital Painting 1; Video 1; Graphic Design 1

Departmental Policies Regarding Entry Into Honors, Advanced Topics & AP Courses

Honors and Advanced Topics courses in the Visual Arts department are for students who have demonstrated the ability to work independently and at a high level. In addition to meeting the appropriate prerequisite requirements, departmental approval is required for students wishing to enroll in any of the Honors or Advanced Topics courses offered in the department.

The Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art program is the equivalent of an introductory college-level course and is offered to highly motivated students interested in the serious study of art. Students should be aware that this program requires significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. Students interested in either of the three AP Studio Art courses - Drawing & Painting, 2D Design/Photography, or 3D Design - should email and speak with the Department Chair about the curricula for each of the different courses. No deadline is required other than the due date for the sign-up sheet itself. Please click here for more information on the AP Studio Art program.

AP Studio Art Homework Guidelines

Students in the three AP Studio Art courses typically have homework. Students preparing the AP Studio Art: Photography portfolio typically have 1.5 - 2 weeks, including a weekend, to take photographs for assignments, and an equal amount of time to edit the work for critiques. The course includes a summer assignment to take photographs for the Breadth Portfolio. Students preparing the AP Studio Art: 2D Design or Drawing portfolios are assigned 4-5 summer projects upon entering the year-long course, and often need to spend time outside of class to refine their work. Similarly, students preparing the AP Studio Art: 3D Design portfolio are assigned 4-5 summer projects upon entering the year-long course, and often need to spend time outside of class to refine their work. The material nature of most 3D Design projects means that they usually cannot be worked on at a student’s home.

The visual arts curriculum is very flexible in order to meet the needs of all students. While students typically progress through the department by following a sequential program by media (for example, students interested in photography typically begin with Photography 1, then progress to Photography 2, Photography 3, etc.), this does not mean a student cannot enroll in other courses and experience the curriculum in different ways. In fact, some students may elect to begin their visual arts studies with, for example, Drawing 1, and then enroll in Ceramics/Sculpture 1, and then pursue their interests in painting by enrolling in Painting 1. The curricular structure of the Visual Arts department allows for both breadth and depth, depending on each student’s interests.

Routes to AP Studio Art Courses

For students who aspire to enroll in one of the AP Studio Art courses, there are multiple routes to arrive at each of the three courses. All routes essentially ask students to decide, at some point in the 9th grader year, where their artistic sensibilities lie and to chart a path that helps them maximize coursework relevant to each of the different artistic areas (Drawing & Painting, 2D Design/Photography, and 3D Design). The goal is that students arrive at the AP Studio Art course of their choice as well-prepared as possible.

There are some students, however, who take broader and more circuitous routes through the Visual Arts department. For them, there are still pathways to an AP Studio Art course, if that is a goal. These routes offer a broader set of art-making experiences which, for some students, is desirable.

DRAWING & PAINTING 1
This is an introductory studio course exploring diverse techniques of drawing and painting. We will start by drawing from observation and develop a skill set that emphasizes multiple processes of descriptive drawing. Students will learn to actively draw what they see rather than what they perceive through iterative practice and train the hand to express specificity rather than generalized form. As students learn to draw, they cultivate unique expressive and conceptual approaches.
Drawing will lead to painting. We will explore form through lines and utilize different paint mediums, including watercolor and acrylic. Class time will be spent on a series of projects that explore both technique and conceptual approaches, including the elements of art and design principles. 
Drawing and painting, like text, allows us to convey information through a message, a story, or a feeling. It also interacts with the viewer in ways that trigger emotions, memories, and inspiration. Drawing and painting can convey depth and spatiality within a two-dimensional space. Students will learn a visual vocabulary to express forms and narratives in space and develop their sense of aesthetics within their work. Complexity, abstraction, and individual drawing and painting language will emerge as expertise is developed through practice. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

DRAWING & PAINTING 2
This is the second course in the sequence of drawing and painting and the prerequisite for Honors Drawing and Painting. We will continue exploring diverse drawing and painting techniques in this studio course. We will introduce mixed media strategies and work on larger surfaces. To create expressive artwork, we will experiment with various mediums, such as graphite, charcoal, watercolor, and acrylics. We will focus on precision, shading, and composition. The observational skills learned in Drawing and Painting 1 will advance further through creative exploration and experimentation, including learning to draw and paint from a live model and diverse landscape. We will study the works of renowned historical and contemporary artists to gain inspiration and insights that will inform the evolution of a personal artistic style. Students will research and learn about the work of diverse artists who have changed how we visualize reality, including developing a language of abstraction.  
 
Work will hybridize drawing and painting, in which the correlation becomes symbiotic. Students will explore the relationship between line and color. Class time will be spent on a series of projects exploring how to develop comprehensive concepts that can be theoretical, symbolic, or methodological. Complexity, abstraction, and individual drawing and painting language will emerge as expertise is developed through practice. We will cultivate the ability to convey emotions and ideas through visual storytelling. Students will engage in self-directed learning by selecting and developing projects that align with individual interests. The work will culminate in a portfolio. (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite Drawing and Painting 1)

HONORS DRAWING & PAINTING
This yearlong honors-level course emphasizes advanced concepts in visual artmaking, fostering both technical skill and conceptual thinking. Students will explore a range of materials, processes, and approaches—spanning two- and three-dimensional forms—to develop a personal visual language rooted in self-expression, inquiry, and experimentation. Projects will support the development of a portfolio aligned with AP Art standards and college-level expectations. Students will engage with diverse contemporary and historical artists to deepen their ability to analyze, interpret, and respond to visual culture. This course values the language of making and meaning, encouraging students to reflect on how identity, memory, and context shape artistic expression. Students will explore intersections of race, gender, culture, and lived experience to situate their work within broader social narratives. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; prerequisite: any three courses from among Drawing 1, Drawing 2, Painting 1, Painting 2, Graphic Design 1, Digital Painting 1; and departmental approval)

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION 1
This is a 16-week course crafted to delve into the vibrant realm of graphic illustration. Through this program, you'll develop the technical skills and creative insight essential for bringing your ideas to visual fruition. Explore the basics of digital drawing, painting, and illustration alongside a journey into art history, the business aspects of illustration, and impactful marketing strategies. Whether you're an aspiring artist or aiming to refine your communication abilities, this course offers a comprehensive platform for your creative journey. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION 2
This course Integrates AI, Product Design, and Digital Painting to explore the convergence of these disciplines. Students develop more proficiency and understanding of these fields through immersion in advanced concepts and hands-on practices. The course emphasizes the transformative potential of AI-driven tools, enabling students to reinforce product design processes and digital painting workflows using industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Procreate. Students refine their creative thinking and problem-solving abilities by delving into essential product design principles such as user-centric methodologies and iterative development. Through collaborative projects and engagement with real-world industry practices, students are equipped to push the boundaries of innovation and design, positioning them to navigate the forefront of 21st-century creativity and technology. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite Graphic Illustration 1)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN STUDIO ART
This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest or explore a range of concepts and media in the studio arts or art history. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with their art advisor, submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged, and develop a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the visual arts. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 11, 12; department approval required; may be repeated for credit)

AP STUDIO ART: DRAWING OR 2D DESIGN
A year-long course, the AP program in Drawing or 2D Design is the equivalent of an introductory Drawing or 2D Design course at the college level and is offered to highly motivated students interested in the serious study of art. Students should be aware that this course requires significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of art media and will pursue two areas of work:

• Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images; some may be details or process images.. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
• Selected Works: Students submit 5 digital images of their work and commentary online to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

All students enrolling in this AP Studio Art class will be required to complete work over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June and will be designed to develop the student’s capacity for independent work and technical competency. All students approved for and enrolled in this course are required to submit an AP portfolio in May. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisites: Drawing and Painting and 1, and Drawing and Painting 2, and Honors Drawing and Painting (department approval required)

ARCHITECTURE
This course will explore the design process from concept development to a complete architectural proposal. This is a critique-based studio class where students will develop an architectural vocabulary, learn analysis techniques, and apply design methodologies to real-world scenarios.

Design skills will be introduced through lectures, precedent studies, and the fabrication of conceptual work in both two- and three-dimensional media. Concepts will be expressed through programmatic and circulation diagrams, digital illustration, and three-dimensional modeling. The course will encourage creativity, experimentation, and innovation within the design process.

Students will produce a series of small-scale design studies exploring different architectural programs and prototypes. They will consider how the human body moves through space, how people interact with their surroundings, and the infrastructure. We will also examine how materials, structure, and spatial design influence human interaction and perception.

The course will include the study of buildings and theories from architects who have shaped architectural design worldwide in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Students will be evaluated on both their process and outcomes, demonstrating critical thinking through analysis and design work. At the end of the course, students will present a comprehensive portfolio documenting their entire process in a slide presentation. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE
The Advanced Architecture course explores the process of architectural design from concept development to building proposals through sketches, diagrams, and models. This is a critique-based studio in which students develop an experimental architectural vocabulary of analytical techniques and design strategies for real-world scenarios.

Instruction will combine lectures, precedent studies, and creative two- and three-dimensional design methods. Students will apply design thinking to form analytical methodologies and generate projects for diverse building types. Concepts will be articulated through programmatic and circulation diagrams, urban mapping, digital illustration, and three-dimensional model making. By the end of the course, students will present a comprehensive portfolio of their design process in a final slide presentation. The class will focus on the design of large scale buildings within the urban context of New York City. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite; Architecture)

CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 1
This course introduces students to a wide variety of approaches that develop an awareness of three-dimensional design primarily through clay, though other sculptural materials are sometimes introduced. Students are taught hand-building techniques to transform clay into both functional objects and sculptural forms. Students explore form, texture, and volume as they relate to three-dimensional spatial organization. This course will help students develop a sensitivity to 3-D design and prepare those who may be interested in pursuing the AP Studio
Art: 3-D Design portfolio in the senior year. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 2
Ceramics/Sculpture 2 continues to build on the skills and technical information introduced in Ceramics/Sculpture 1. While clay is the primary material used in this class, other sculptural materials will also be introduced. At this level, projects are introduced that are more complex in both concept and technique. Students are also introduced to the potter’s wheel. Students are expected to work independently, both inside and outside of class, and to create works that are visually strong and show distinct individual direction as well as mastery of technique. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics/Sculpture 1 or departmental approval)

CERAMICS: WHEEL-THROWN POTTERY
This semester-long course is designed for students who want to learn how to create ceramic work on the pottery wheel. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Throughout the semester, students will learn the fundamentals of throwing and will move through various stages and, depending on individual ability, learn new techniques. Topics covered include centering; creating cylinders, bowls, and plates; trimming; and surface design. This course will help students develop a sensitivity to 3-D design and prepare those interested in pursuing the AP Studio Art: 3-D Design portfolio in their senior year. Please note that enrollment is limited due to the number of ceramic wheels we have. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics 1)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN CERAMICS/WHEEL 2 
This semester-long course is designed to allow advanced students who have demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest or to explore a range of concepts within the medium of ceramics. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with their art advisor, submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged, and develop a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the ceramic medium. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics/Sculpture 2 or Wheel Throwing  and department approval; may be repeated for credit)

HONORS CERAMICS / SCULPTURE
This year-long course is designed for the 11th or 12th grader interested in continuing the study of three-dimensional art on a more advanced level. The emphasis of the class is on creating a portfolio for college review and/or on beginning to build the AP portfolio for the 12th grade year. Students are expected to work independently, both inside and outside of class, to build upon 3D design concepts in clay and other sculpture materials. Assignments and projects are meant to develop and showcase both technical skill and personal style. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics/Sculpture 3 and departmental approval)

AP STUDIO ART: 3D DESIGN
A year-long course, the AP program in 3D Design is the equivalent of an introductory 3D Design course at the college level and is offered to highly motivated students interested in the serious study of art. While clay is the primary emphasis of the course, other sculptural media will be used as well. Students should be aware that this course requires significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of art media and will pursue two areas of work:

• Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images; some may be details or process images. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
• Selected Works: Students submit 5 digital images of their work and commentary online to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

All students enrolling in this AP Studio Art class will be required to complete work over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June and will be designed to develop the student’s capacity for independent work and technical competency. All students approved for and enrolled in this course are required to submit an AP portfolio in May. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisite: successful completion of Ceramics/Sculpture 1 and 2, plus two other semesters of ceramics or sculpture, and departmental approval)

PHOTOGRAPHY 1
This introductory course explores the art of digital photography through project-based learning. Students will apply the elements of art and principles of design to create original and compelling photographic work, engaging in both technical skill-building and conceptual exploration.
Students explore diverse genres of photography to understand how atmosphere and narrative are constructed. Students will develop visual storytelling skills through recording, deconstructing, and reconstructing spatial configurations. Core Concepts and Focus Areas: Narrative construction through photography, visual analysis and critique of images, technical control over composition, light, and editing, application of art and design principles to photographic imagery, iterative creative process, research, experimentation, revision, and integration of digital editing for artistic exploration and presentation. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

PHOTOGRAPHY 2
This is a course for students who have successfully completed the requirements of Photography 1. In this course, students explore experimental techniques with the camera and Adobe Photoshop software. Students experience working with studio lighting, image and text, panoramas, environmental portraiture, and more advanced digital image manipulation. Students are encouraged to refine their skills with the digital SLR camera (available for use during the school day) while gaining expertise in digital editing. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Photography 1 or departmental approval)

PHOTOGRAPHY 3
This is a course for highly motivated students who have successfully completed the requirements of Photography 2. With an emphasis on the development of individual style, students explore more sophisticated and experimental techniques and the work of master photographers. Students explore oversized images, time-lapse photography, photo essays, and the collaged manipulation of prints. An important component of the course entails the student's analysis and integration of the work of a mentor master photographer. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Photography 2 or departmental approval)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHOTOGRAPHY
This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest in photography. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with the art advisor and submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged and a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the medium of photography. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Photography 1, 2, and 3 and department approval; may be repeated for credit)

AP STUDIO ART: 2D DESIGN PORTFOLIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY
This is a year-long course for highly motivated students interested in the serious study of photography. Students will have the opportunity to explore photography in great depth with an emphasis on developing personal style and expression. Each student will submit to the AP Studio Art: 2D Design portfolio, but the work will be predominantly or substantially photo-based, and students will pursue two areas of work:

• Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images; some may be details or process images. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
• Selected Works: Students submit 5 digital images of their work and commentary online to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

All students enrolling in this AP Studio Art class will be required to complete work over the summer before enrolling in the course. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June and will be designed to develop the student’s capacity for independent work and technical competency. All students approved for and enrolled in this course are required to submit an AP portfolio in May. (1 unit; Grade 11, 12; prerequisites: successful completion of Photography 3 and departmental approval)

ADVANCED HONORS PHOTOGRAPHY
This year-long course is for photography students who have completed AP Studio Art: Design Portfolio in Photography and want to continue the serious study of photography. In this course students will explore a variety of avenues for communicating visual ideas. Highlights of the course include curating and exhibiting a portfolio of each student’s work on campus and the creation of a book based on the student’s work. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisites: AP Studio Art: Design Portfolio in Photography and departmental approval)

VIDEO 1
Learn how to take your ideas from script to screen in this introductory semester-long video course. Students will work on multiple projects that will teach them all aspects of the production process, including script-writing, storyboarding, shooting, and the power of editing. Through these projects and movie screenings, students will develop a better understanding and knowledge of film history and film/video vocabulary. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

VIDEO 2
Building upon the skills learned in Video 1, students in Video 2 take their video production to the next level and learn how to craft stories that are worth telling. Students at this level will dive more deeply into the elements of narrative storytelling, pre-production, camera work, lighting, editing, special effects, and more. Film history and techniques are occasionally explored by watching critically-acclaimed movies. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN VIDEOGRAPHY
This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest in videography. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with the art advisor and submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged and a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the medium of videography. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1 and 2, and department approval; may be repeated for credit)

HONORS FILMMAKING
In this year-long course, students spend the entire academic year working on one film of their choosing. This allows students to spend more time on each stage of the filmmaking process, including script read-throughs, writing a casting notice and holding auditions, preparing a film budget, writing film grants, applying to film festivals, and creating a production reel. Students will also have screenings throughout the year of classic or noteworthy movies to inspire their own work and help expand their filmmaking vocabulary. At the end of the year, students will screen their final films to the RCDS community. Students who have completed Honors Filmmaking will also have an opportunity to compete in a multi-day film contest against film students from around the world. (1 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1 & Video 2)

ANIMATION/SPECIAL EFFECTS
Embark on a cinematic journey in our Special Effects and Animation class. This semester-long course covers animation essentials, from timing and spacing to diverse special effects techniques such as masking, rotoscoping, stop motion, and keyframing. Beyond technical skills, students delve into storytelling within animation, infusing emotion into inanimate objects. They distinguish between “Special “and practical effects, gaining insights into the synergy between digital wizardry and tangible effects. The curriculum includes studying film history and vocabulary, fostering a comprehensive understanding of visual storytelling evolution. Through project-based learning, students simulate real-world scenarios, refining scriptwriting, storyboarding, shooting, and editing skills, leaving with a portfolio of animated projects and a deep appreciation for the magic of film and animation. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1 & Video 2)

YEARBOOK
Students in this class will learn all aspects of creating the Rye Country Day School Yearbook, from planning the contents to designing the page layouts and keeping records of the production deadlines, orders, distribution, and advertising. Students will learn important elements of layout and design, implementing them with online publishing software as they work collaboratively to meet all production deadlines. Led by a student Editor-in-Chief, all students will have the opportunity to exercise creative leadership and to master their organizational and management skills. Class size will be limited to twelve students with preference given to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. (1 unit, which applies to the Arts credit graduation requirement; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)