When high school students plan their schedules, classes like calculus and chemistry often take priority. Art classes are sometimes viewed as secondary. However, viewing art classes merely as requirements misses their immense value. They are not just classes about creating masterpieces; they are powerful training grounds for the essential skills demanded by modern employers and universities, regardless of whether your future is in medicine, business, or skilled trades. The skills you develop in art classes translate directly into professional success.
1. Critical Observation and Problem Solving
In art class, you don’t just draw what you see; you learn to see how light, shadow, and texture interact. This detailed observation is a form of intensive problem-solving. Whether you are struggling to balance a sculpture or correctly render perspective, you are practicing iteration, testing, and adjusting, core processes for any engineer, programmer, or scientist.
2. Resilience and Constructive Critique
Creating art requires vulnerability. You put your work out there and receive feedback (a critique). Learning to take that feedback, understand where the flaw is, and revise your work without giving up is crucial. In college and the workplace, your first draft is rarely your last. Art teaches you to see critique as a path to improvement, not personal failure.
3. Communication and Collaboration
You learn to articulate abstract ideas, how a color palette feels, or why a certain composition works. This skill in verbalizing complex, non-quantitative ideas is vital for presentations, client meetings, and cross-department collaboration in any field.
The arts also provide the intellectual and creative balance that prevents burnout. They allow you to exercise the right side of your brain, which enhances cognitive flexibility and lateral thinking, the ability to approach a problem from an unexpected angle. Universities and employers don’t just want skilled specialists; they want well-rounded thinkers who can innovate and adapt. The ability to switch between analytical thinking and creative expression is the hallmark of a truly sharp mind.
So, as you plan your course load, remember that those art credits are not just for fun. They invest in your future, training you in the kind of adaptable, creative intelligence that guarantees success on any post-high school path.
Art classes open doors to incredibly varied and dynamic career paths. Many students become Graphic Designers, creating branding and advertising, or UX/UI Designers, crafting intuitive interfaces for apps and websites. Other paths include Architects and Industrial Designers, who use drawing and sculpting skills for three-dimensional projects; Animators and Game Artists, who bring digital characters and worlds to life; or even specialized roles like Medical Illustrators or Conservation Technicians, who use precision artistic skills in scientific and historical fields. Regardless of the job title, the visual literacy and creative problem-solving honed in high school art are highly valued!
Required Courses:
4562 Principles of Business Management
4000 Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art
4002 Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art
4060 Drawing and Painting I
4060 Drawing and Painting II
4064 Drawing and Painting III
4064 Drawing and Painting IV
4040 Ceramics I
4040 Ceramics II
*This is a locally created pathway
Available Grades 9 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None
Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Emphasis is placed upon developing students’ drawing and painting skills and strengthening perceptual awareness. Students will explore various drawing and painting materials (marker, pen/ink, graphite, watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, oil pastel, and acrylic), techniques, and subjects. Students taking this course engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, production, and integrated studies and lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create two-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. They identify ways to utilize and support art museums, galleries, studios, and community resources.
Available Grades 10 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art
This class is only available in the fall semester
Drawing and Painting I provides further exploration into the study of art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. Students will continue to expand and reinforce their knowledge of 2D media, techniques, and theories, as well as add study of the elements and principles of art. They reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students utilize the resources of art museums, galleries, and studios, and identify art-related careers.
Available Grades 10 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Drawing and Painting I
This class is only available in the spring semester
Drawing and Painting II provides further exploration into the study of art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. Students will continue to expand and reinforce their knowledge of 2D media, techniques, and theories, as well as add study of the elements and principles of art. They reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students utilize the resources of art museums, galleries, and studios, and identify art-related careers.
Available Grades 11 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Drawing and Painting II
This class is only available in the fall semester
Drawing and Painting III offers a far more extensive study of art history, art criticism, printmaking, scratchboard, and aesthetics. Also, an emphasis on advanced techniques in oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, pastel, pen/ink, graphite, and colored pencil is specified. Students taking painting engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production that lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students create abstract and realistic paintings, using a variety of materials such as mixed media, watercolor, oil, and acrylics, as well as techniques such as stippling, gouache, wash, and impasto. They reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students utilize the resources of art museums, galleries, and studios, and identify art-related careers.
Available Grades 11 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Drawing and Painting III
This class is only available in the spring semester
Drawing and Painting IV offers a far more extensive study of art history, art criticism, printmaking, scratchboard, and aesthetics. Also, an emphasis on advanced techniques in oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, pastel, pen/ink, graphite, and colored pencil is specified. Students taking painting engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production that lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students create abstract and realistic paintings, using a variety of materials such as mixed media, watercolor, oil, and acrylics, as well as techniques such as stippling, gouache, wash, and impasto. They reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. Students utilize the resources of art museums, galleries, and studios, and identify art-related careers.
Only Available in Grade 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Drawing and Painting IV
This class is only available in the fall semester
Advanced Two-Dimensional Art is for the experienced art student; the advanced study in art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and media will be covered. The importance of broadening skills, developing creativity, studio production, portfolio development, and time management, and identifying their strengths and limitations will be stressed. Students exhibit use of the elements and principles of art, analyzing and criticizing their own work, work of their peers, and of artists and art styles. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create two-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills.
Only Available in Grade 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Advanced Two-Dimensional Art I
This class is only available in the spring semester
Advanced Two-Dimensional Art is for the experienced art student; the advanced study in art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and media will be covered. The importance of broadening skills, developing creativity, studio production, portfolio development, and time management, and identifying their strengths and limitations will be stressed. Students exhibit use of the elements and principles of art, analyzing and criticizing their own work, the work of their peers, and of artists and art styles. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create two-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills.
Available Grades 9 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: None
Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Students taking this course engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, production, and integrated studies and lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create three-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to 49 2025-2026 High School Course Titles and Descriptions other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. They identify ways to utilize and support art museums, galleries, studios, and community resources.
Available Grades 10 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing grades in both Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art and Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art
This class is only available in the first semester
Ceramics is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Students in ceramics engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students create works of art in clay utilizing the processes of hand building, molds, wheel throwing, slip and glaze techniques, and the firing processes. Students will learn glazing, coiling, slab building, slumping, and wheel throwing techniques. They reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. This course is demanding, including high standards for workmanship and creativity.
Available Grades 10 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing grades in Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art
Sculpture is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Students in sculpture engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production. Students create portfolio-quality works using materials such as paper, cardboard, wire, jewelry, and ceramics. Students at this level produce works for their portfolios that demonstrate a sincere desire to explore a variety of ideas and problems. Students will utilize subtractive and additive processes of carving, modeling, construction, and assembling. As an intermediate class, students will begin participating in more formal critique settings, giving feedback to their peers on their work. They will also begin documenting more of the process of making their art. Students will become more comfortable with presenting their artwork and talking about art using art vocabulary.
Available Grades 10 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing grades in Sculpture
Teacher Recommendation is Required
This class is only available in the second semester
Advanced Three-Dimensional Art is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Students in this course build on the sequential learning experiences of Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art, which encompasses art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production, and leads to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create three-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. During the course, an extensive range of art areas is offered. Each nine weeks, students will complete three projects, write critiques, and maintain a folder. Students are required to exercise quality work, self-discipline, and maintain a grade average of “C” or better.
Available Grades 11 - 12
1 Credit, 1 Semester
Prerequisites: Passing grades in Ceramics I
Teacher Recommendation is Required
This class is only available in the first semester
Ceramics II includes more advanced techniques than Ceramics I. The student will be expected to know the basics of wheel throwing before entering this class. Students in ceramics engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio-quality works. Students create works of art in clay utilizing the processes of hand building, molds, wheel throwing, slip and glaze techniques, and the firing processes. In addition, students will be performing more advanced wheel-throwing techniques along with combinations of hand-building, glazing, and sculptural techniques. This course is demanding, requiring high standards of workmanship and creativity. Students are required to exercise self-discipline, allowing each student to work independently.
Two-Dimensional Art Teacher
Dual Credit Teacher
Email Mrs. Schultz
Three-Dimensional Art Teacher
Dual Credit Teacher
Email Mrs. Hoeing
