West Sound Academy

The arts are woven into the core of the interdisciplinary curriculum at WSA, providing common ideas and themes throughout the program. The block schedule facilitates immersion in the arts. With learning uninterrupted by hourly class changes, instruction time allows for more artistic attention and study.

The Academy offers classes in seven art disciplines and requires six credits for graduation.

Students new to West Sound Academy are required to take Exploratory Arts classes in each of the art disciplines.

Exploratory classes are one semester in length. When these exploratory requirements are met, students may take Level I and above courses in the art of their choice. Students with extensive knowledge of a subject may petition the teacher to enter at a more advanced level.

Students entering in the 9th grade are still required to take courses in all six art disciplines, but they may petition teachers to request entry at a more advanced level.

For the student entering WSA in the 6th grade, the following course plan is typical:

Grade	Course Options
6	2 Exploratory Classes
7	3 Exploratory Classes
8	3 Arts Classes: 2 Exploratory, 1 Level I
9	2 Arts Classes, Level I or II
10	2 Arts Classes, Level 1, II or III
11	2 Arts Blocks: Focus (2 blocks) or 2 art classes at appropriate level
12	2 Arts Blocks: Focus (2 blocks) or 2 art classes at appropriate level, or Special Project

Exploratory classes invite students to investigate the basics of each art form. Levels I - III develop the elements of each art form in greater depth, and Focus classes are double-period blocks for which the student receives two credits. The development of a portfolio is required in Focus classes. Special Projects are designed for individualized learning.