The Arts

An understanding for the arts encourages appreciation for self, peers, and culture. The arts are an important element in American and all cultures throughout history. At Compass, all students are expected to participate in at least two art activities throughout the year. Class offerings include film making, drawing, painting, animation, photography, stained glass, woodcarving, and puppet sculpture.

The art program exposes students to a variety of media and techniques. This includes 2- dimensional and 3-dimensional art. Through these classes we introduce students to various historical and contemporary works that educate and influence the students work. Basic skills, composition, design, and critique methods are taught to all students. The opportunity to focus in depth on a medium of choice can be arranged between students and staff. Students are assessed on participation, not perceived ability.

Compass particularly excels at incorporating the arts throughout the academic curriculum. In every class, there are opportunities where students use visual arts to access, play with, and share ideas. In a "Who Am I" unit for middle school, or example, students wirte narrative autobiographies and poems, as well as make personalized masks that reflect their character. Through these many opportunities to use creative arts, Compass students improve their ability to communicate beyond the written and spoken word.