Curriculum Benefits for Every Student
Reynolds' diverse student population and our strong academic program are two of its strengths.
As a magnet school, Reynolds will offer students greater opportunities for creativity, originality and critical thinking by integrating the arts into math, science, social studies and English Language arts.
Studies have shown that schools integrating arts into the core curriculum experience academic gains across subject areas.
All students will be exposed to the arts through campus wide, arts-related events and exhibits and two professional performances each year. A "lunchtime" stage will be used for student performances, and upgraded projectors and sound systems will allow performances to be broadcast to classrooms and common spaces.
In addition to their core academic courses, students will have the opportunity to choose from three distinctive arts strands: Arts Infused, Arts Aware and Arts Intensive.
Seminar in the Arts
In the 9th grade, students will register for a year long course – "Seminar in the Arts." The course consists of eight, 4 ½ week sessions aimed at building skills necessary for success in high school and beyond. Each experience is designed to lay the foundation for building literacy and 21st century workplace skills. Throughout the year, students will build listening and discussion skills through exercises in Seminar Engagement; increase vocabulary and reading skills through an understanding of the Language of the Arts; develop communications skills by creating regular Journal entries; and practice presentation skills as they create and present their Portfolios.
This common freshman experience will establish crucial, long-term relationships between staff, faculty, students and the curriculum as well as create an arts culture across the campus. Students will sample course offerings in Cultural Languages, Theatre Arts, Choral Music, Instrumentation, Creative Writing, Movement/Dance, Dramatic Interpretation, Readings in the Arts, and Careers in the Arts. Students will experience authentic assessment through rubric grading methods. Many of these mini-courses will bring in area speakers from universities and community arts organizations. Other experiences will include field trips to local museums and arts based businesses in our area.
In addition to the Seminar in the Arts course, Reynolds students will also be able to choose their level of involvement in the arts. Students must make this choice by the end of their freshman year. This choice will be made in writing and will become part of their freshman portfolio.
Arts Aware
After the common freshman experience in Seminar in the Arts, the Arts Aware student will benefit from campus wide performances as well as arts integration in their core area classes. Other than being a part of an arts enriched culture, these students may or may not choose to take any additional arts classes. Arts Aware students will show support of RJR "Arts for Academics" through attendance of student performances and will at all times display the "Six Characteristics of a Great Audience Member." Failure to display these characteristics on two or more occasions may result in a student's dismissal from Reynolds High School – "Arts for Academics."
Arts Infused
The Arts infused student will find an area of the arts during the Seminar in the Arts year to pursue in their high school careers. The Arts Infused student will take at least three (3) additional arts electives. These electives may or may not be in a single arts discipline. Arts Infused students will show support of RJR "Arts for Academics" through attendance of student performances and will at all times display the "Six Characteristics of a Great Audience Member." Failure to display these characteristics on two or more occasions may result in a student's dismissal from Reynolds High School – "Arts for Academics."
Arts Intensive
The Arts Intensive student will audition for placement in our "Spotlight Arts" courses. This audition may even take place before their freshman year and the Seminar in the Arts course. The Arts Intensive student will take arts courses all four years and will "major" in one arts discipline. It is very likely that these students will also "minor" in an additional arts area by taking additional classes scheduled before and/or after school. These students will participate in performances and/or contests each year and must complete an arts internship after their junior year. Arts Intensive students will show support of RJR "Arts for Academics" through attendance of student performances and will at all times display the "Six Characteristics of a Great Audience Member." Failure to display these characteristics on two or more occasions may result in a student's dismissal from Reynolds High School – "Arts for Academics."
Arts Classes Offered at Reynolds (beginning 2008-09)
- Visual Arts: Drawing, Printmaking, Three-Dimensional Design, Painting, Electronic Media
- Dance: Ballet, Tap/Rhythmic Dance, Jazz, Dance History, Dance Repertory
- Orchestra: Electronic Music, master classes by instrument
- Choral Music: A Capella/Vocal Jazz/Performance Ensemble, Music Theory, Class Piano I, Electronic Music
- Theatre Arts: Acting, Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre, Broadcasting, Filmmaking
- Band: Chamber Music, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble
Advanced Placement Courses Offered at Reynolds (beginning 2008-09)
- Art Drawing
- Art History
- Art Portfolio 2-D
- Art Portfolio 3-D
- Calculus
- English
- Environmental Science
- Human Geography
- Music History
- Music Theory
- Psychology
- U.S. History
- World History
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