|
Curriculum
|
 |
|
OSA seeks out and embraces pedagogical approaches that challenge students to think, to communicate, and to act with authority and accountability. Faculty members, selected by way of a nation-wide search, are certified by the State of California and are arts practitioners.
OSA has an outstanding college-preparatory academic program, which meets the requirements for University of California and California State University admissions. All students take English, History, Romance Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Students concentrate on one area of art – Acting, Arts Management, Dance, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Theatre Design & Production, Vocal Music or Visual Arts.
Small classes allow for individual attention and personal training. Tutoring for core academic classes is also available and encouraged.
OSA students also receive ongoing professional insight from various East Bay arts organizations that will provide training to students throughout their years at the school. OSA's teaching/learning partnerships include: CCA, Ex'pressions College for Digital Arts, dvGarage, Mocha, and The Oakland Ballet, The Oakland Museum, Savage Dance, YouthSpeaks and Oakland Youth Chorale. Seniors who excel in their chosen arts field are selected for internships with these institutions.
OSA graduates are expected to go directly into career-related activities, or opt for higher education. Students who decide to pursue other interests after graduation will have the background and skills to undertake college-level studies in other disciplines .
OSA offers a unique combination of a college-preparatory curriculum and a conservatory-style arts education. OSA embraces pedagogical approaches that challenge students to think, to communicate, and to act with authority and accountability. The college-preparatory academic program meets the requirements for University of California and California State University admissions. In addition to English, Mathematics, Romance Languages, Science, and Social Studies, OSA students concentrate in Dance, Literary Arts, Instrumental or Vocal Music, Visual Arts, or Theatre.
The OSA curriculum integrates arts into all areas of a traditional academic program in order to enable our students to develop sufficient skills to pursue post-secondary education. Small classes allow for individual attention and personal training. Saturday School tutoring for core academic classes is also available and encouraged. Music students receive private and/or ensemble instruction. In addition, students complete four years in one of the areas of art emphasis. They are as follows:
DANCE – The dance program emphasizes ballet and modern technique to prepare the student for the contemporary dance world. Guest teachers lead classes in world cultures and other dance forms.
LITERARY ARTS - The Department emphasizes mastery of the elements of writing and the development of individual voice. The program supports this through its curriculum, portfolio requirements, performances, publications, and unique projects with non-profits and visiting professionals. Courses include, but are not limited to: poetry, fiction, journalism, stage and screen writing, and creative non-fiction.
MUSIC – Students concentrate their study in Music Technology, Theory and History, Fundamentals of music appreciation in both Instrumental and Vocal Music. Students receive four years of private and/or ensemble instruction.
THEATRE – Students study the history of theatre across world cultures in addition to theatre technique, including character development, movement, voice and speech. Students also study stage management, playwriting, screenwriting, and production and design for the performing arts.
VISUAL ARTS – Students study painting, drawing, graphic design, digital video, and film-making as well as art history and criticism.
Goals Across the Curriculum
The curriculum at Oakland School for the Arts is designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and confident professionalism specified in our educational program to enable each student to:
• Be creative and innovative
• Develop techniques and skills in at least one artistic area
• Speak in their own artistic voices with authority
• Communicate effectively
• Develop and maintain a global perspective
• Satisfy college admissions requirements
• Seek solutions
• Think in an interdisciplinary mode
The goals of the curriculum are met through the following subjects: Dance, English/Language Arts, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Mathematics, Romance Languages, Science, Social Science, Theater, Visual Arts and Vocal Music.
All academic courses at OSA fulfill the University of California’s stringent A-G requirements. In addition, in almost all areas, OSA’s graduation requirements exceed the State of California graduation requirements.
Dropping Courses
The OSA curriculum is planned to progress logically in each area. The schedule is set by the administration and every course outlined per discipline is required. For these reasons, students are not allowed to drop courses.
Grading Policy
To communicate the grading policies to students, parents and guardians, each teacher shall file a course syllabus defining the grading standards for each of his/her courses. These syllabi will identify the criteria upon which each grade will be based, as well as the expectation for each grade. A copy of this statement will be given to students and the parents/guardians at the beginning of the semester.
Grade Promotion
Students are promoted to the next grade level by achieving a minimum passing grade of C- or above in all classes. All OSA courses are required. There are no “elective” classes. Failure in any core course will result in failure of the grade.
High School Graduation Requirements
4 years Language Arts
3 years Mathematics (UC Recommends 4)*
3 years of Social Studies
3 years of Science (2 lab sciences)
2 years of World Languages (UC Recommends 3)
1 year of PE
4 years of Arts Emphasis
Successful passage of CAHSEE
*Mathematics courses must include Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry and can include work done in middle school
The state of California requires that all students pass the state high school exam (CAHSEE).
Students will have a number of opportunities to pass exams in Mathematics and English/Language Arts. Once a student passes an exam section, he/she does not have to take it again. Students who do not pass the exam but meet all other graduation requirements will receive a certificate of completion, but not a diploma. Students begin taking the exam in the tenth grade.
Physical Education
One year of PE is required and can be met through Dance for students who qualify. Students will participate in mandated physical fitness testing as required by law.
UC & California State University Admission Requirements
Graduating 12th graders wishing to qualify for regular admission to a California State University must have:
1. qualifying eligibility index comprised of the GPA and test scores from the SAT I or ACT;
2. high school diploma, satisfactory GED scores or California Equivalency certificate;
3. satisfactory completion of the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory high school subjects.
Students applying for admission to a University of California campus must complete the 15 units of high school coursework (currently known as the A-G subjects) listed below. One unit equals two semesters of one academic year of study.
In addition, students must meet an eligibility index comprised of the SAT I (or ACT), the SAT II English, the SAT II Mathematics, and a third SAT II score. An alternative way to gain admission to a University of California campus is through the Eligibility by Examination Alone path. A third and new path titled “Eligibility in the Local Context” is available for students entering the University of California system beginning in the fall 2001 semester. For complete details, go the website:
http://www.ucop.edu/doorways University of California Subject Requirements
A. HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Two years required including one year of world history, cultures, and geography and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
B. ENGLISH:
Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.
C. MATHEMATICS:
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include all topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
D. LABORATORY SCIENCE:
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry, and physics. Three years are recommended.
E. LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH:
Two years of the same language other than English.
Three years are recommended.
F. VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS:
One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.
G. COLLEGE PREPARATORY ELECTIVE:
In addition to those courses required in “a-f” above, one year (two semesters) of college-preparatory electives are required, chosen from advanced visual and performing arts, history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and language other than English H. AP COURSES: OSA offers some AP courses in addition to its general curriculum. Currently OSA provides AP Govt, AP English, AP Psychology, and AP Calculus. These are college level courses that meet all College Board requirements and are geared toward students taking the AP exam and receiving college credit. |
|
| Back |