AP 2D Art & Design   (Contact Us for Mid-term Enrollment)

Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 5

Earn college credit and artistic "cred"-ibility in this studio art class! Over the course of the school year, student artists will experiment with artistic techniques, create original works in a variety of mediums and styles, and build a portfolio for submission. Students will be guided by a Compass art instructor, Pete Van Riper, who is also an adjunct art professor at Northern Virginia Community College and a reviewer for AP art portfolios. The three goals of AP 2D Art and Design are to (1) investigate a variety of artistic materials, methods, and ideas; (2) produce 2-dimensional art and designs; and (3) be able to describe and present art and design to others. AP Art and Design students "develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection." Student artists will create a portfolio with works that feature the elements of art and principles of design such as "point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time; unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, hierarchy." Students will be asked to document their medium choices and keep a sketch book and art journal describing their inspiration and artistic process. In class, works will be done in charcoal, pencil, conte crayon, watercolor crayons, watercolor paints, acrylic paint, and collage. Like other college level classes, outside work will be expected, and art completed outside of the weekly class meetings can include graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting, and printmaking, and other 2D formats. Students should consider how to express their ideas with selected materials and processes on a flat surface. The College Board has no preferred or unacceptable content or style, but all work must be entirely the student's original creation. Submissions may incorporate pre-existing photographs or others' images provided proper attribution and citations are given and the use reflects an extension of the student's vision and not just duplication or copy work. AI generated designs are strictly prohibited from portfolio submissions, but original, digitally created art is welcome. Students' portfolio submissions for the AP program must include two sections (1) "Sustained Investigation" which includes 15 images of the purposeful evolution of a work or works through concept sketches, practice, experimentation, and revisions, and (2) "Selected Works" which includes images of 5 completed pieces. All portfolio works will be submitted as digital images (scans or photographs) of the student's original pieces, and all images must be accompanied by a written discussion of the materials and processes used. The class will examine images of others' art, and students will be asked to visit at least two art museums or art exhibits. They will practice giving and receiving construction formal and informal critiques through the observation, analysis, discussion, and evaluation of their own work and that of other artists to hone the AP-required skill of communication about 2D art. Levels This course is only offered at the AP level, but enrollment does not obligate a student to submit a portfolio for AP review. Workload: Student artists should plan 2-4 hours per week outside of class on their pieces, concept drawings, practice sketches, etc. Assignments: All assignments will be communicated to students via email. Assessments: Qualitative feedback will be given weekly in class. The principal assessment in this course is the AP score earned. Textbooks: The instructor will furnish art and design books for students to browse in class and borrow. Supply Fee: A supply fee of $60.00 is due payable to the instructor for shared, in-class basics consisting of: pencils, charcoal, conte a Paris, acrylic paints, brushes, sketch journal, and canvas boards. The instructor will furnish a list of recommended supplies for alternative or premium materials that students may want to incorporate use such as watercolor or colored markers. About AP: "AP" is a trademark of the College Board, which owns and designs the course outline and "audits" (i.e. approves) high school instructors who employ their expertise and creativity to deliver the college freshman-level content. The College Board's summary of the AP 2D Art & Design program can be read HERE, and the instructor AP Course Audit Approval form can be viewed HERE. AP Fees: The fee for the College Board's AP 2D Art & Design portfolio in May 2025 is not included. Each family is responsible for scheduling and paying for their student's AP registration. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Fine Arts for purposes of a high school transcript.

Intro to Interior Design: Fundamentals  Add to Cart

Quarter(s): 3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 8

Discover the captivating world of Interior Design, where creativity meets functionality in the art of shaping spaces! This class will delve into the realms of color, texture, and form to transform ordinary rooms into extraordinary expressions of style and comfort. The class will discover how Interior Designers (also known as Interior Architects) are responsible for embracing the power of design to evoke emotions and enhance everyday living while blending personality, purpose, and practicality to create inviting and inspired spaces where people want to work, rest, dine, play, learn, vacation, and live! First semester, students will explore the fundamentals of interior design to understand how the field is so much more than interior decorating! They will consider how interior design affects their world through an investigation of theory and hands-on practice leading to a semester project of designing a dream room! The class will review the principles and elements of design such as form, shape, and balance with respect to configuring a room. Students will learn about scale and proportion, i.e. the relative size of forms, such as rooms and furniture, in relation to each other. The group will explore the basics of color theory and various finishes. Students will also be introduced to digital tools used in interior design. They will take a field trip to the Marymount University interior architecture resource library. Throughout the semester, they will be exposed to career paths in interior design and will meet some industry guest speakers. They will also look at case studies and sample design projects and challenges from the instructor’s long career in interior design and project management. Each week, students will be working in sketchbooks and learning how to do basic hand sketches, colored renderings, and simple drafting of floor plans, furniture plans, and elevations. Student designers will collect inspiration photos, colored drawings, product information, and finish and fabric samples that will be presented on a design board of their dream room. A student’s sketchbook and/or design boards could be used as elements of a design portfolio that would be submitted for a college program in art, design, or architecture. Topics in this Series: Fundamentals (Semester 1) and Essentials (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class. Assignments: Will be communicated weekly to students in class and on a class communication platform. Assessments: The instructor will track points for the student’s semester effort, and parents can use points earned to assign a grade: Participation (20 points), Sketchbook (30 points), Semester Project (40 points), Presentation of Project (10 points). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $75.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for a class kit consisting of: sketchbook, graph paper, tracing paper, drafting kit, pencils, colored pencils, 30- and 45- degree triangles. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component partial credit in fine arts/ career exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Concert Band: New Beginners  Add to Cart

Quarter(s): 3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 10

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Join the first homeschool concert band in the region at Compass. This band is for new beginner musicians of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Beginning woodwinds students will learn to play the flute or clarinet (5th-8th grade) or alto saxophone (7th-8th grade only). They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors). Students will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing woodwind instruments and will play both cooperatively in small ensembles and independently. Beginning brass students will learn to play the trumpet, trombone, or euphonium (5th-8th grade) and French horn or tuba (7th-8th grade students only). They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors). Students will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing woodwind instruments and will play both cooperatively in small ensembles and independently. Beginning percussion students will learn to play the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). They will learn proper stick and mallet grip, posture, and playing position for concert percussion instrumentals. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading. The group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors) on mallet instruments and basic rudiments on snare drum. Students will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing percussion instruments and will play both cooperatively in small ensembles and independently. Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. There is a $33.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and the sheet music songs used for the group band performance.>

Concert Band: All Instruments  Add to Cart

Quarter(s): 3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 12

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in a school band! Join the first homeschool concert band in the region at Compass. This section is for continuing beginner and advanced beginner musicians of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments* Percussion students will continue their skills on the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). Continuing and advanced beginner woodwinds students will play the flute or clarinet or alto saxophone. Continuing and advanced beginner brass will play the trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, or tuba. All band students will practice audiation skills and will play both cooperatively in the full band group and in break-out groups for differentiated instruction by part, by instrument, or by proficiency. Students in Concert Band will meet together to continue to develop their skills on their selected instruments. *Placement in 2nd semester Concert Band is with instructor approval. To be considered for this section, students must have the following competencies on their chosen percussion, woodwind, or brass instrument:

• Minimum of 4 months of playing experience (or semester 1);
• A firm understanding of how to assemble and disassemble the instrument correctly;
• Demonstrate proper instrument care;
• Demonstrate correct posture, hand position, and embouchure (woodwinds);
• Be able to play Hot Cross Buns in B-flat Major;
• Be able to play at least one additional song in any key

Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. Furthermore, students are expected to practice their instrument and pieces throughout the week. 15-30 minutes most days is recommended. For NEW students, there is a $33.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and the sheet music songs used for the group band performance. RETURNING students will have a supply fee of $9.00 for sheet music.

Pops Band: All Instruments  Add to Cart

Quarter(s): 3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 7

Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of playing contemporary music with others in! Join the first homeschool pops band in the region at Compass. This section is for Concert Band members at the "continuing beginner "and "advanced beginner" level or other musicians of all ages who play brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instruments, piano/keyboard, or voice who wish to have more intensive playing/practice time and learn musical scores from a variety of genres such as pop, rock, jazz, and musical theater numbers. Example pieces are, The Avengers theme song, "High Hopes" by Panic! At the Disco, "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift, or "You'll Be Back" from Hamilton. Percussion students will play snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). Woodwinds musicians will play the flute, clarinet, or alto saxophone. Brass students will play the trumpet, trombone,  euphonium, French horn, or tuba. Students who play violin, viola, bass, or guitar and those who sing are also invited. All pops band students will practice audiation skills and will play both cooperatively in the full band group and in break-out groups for differentiated instruction by piece, by instrument, or by proficiency. Students in the Pops Band will meet together to continue to develop their skills on their selected instruments and rehearse selected songs. Pops Band is not intended to be a student's sole music instruction- it is recommend that students are co-enrolled in Concert Band or private lessons to improve their techniques and music theory. To be considered for this section, students must also have the following competencies on their chosen instrument:

• Minimum of 4 months of playing experience (or semester 1);
• A firm understanding of how to assemble and disassemble the instrument correctly;
• Demonstrate proper instrument care;
• Demonstrate correct posture, hand position, and embouchure (woodwinds/brass);
• Ability to read music notation.

Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. There is a $15.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for sheet music songs used for the group band performance.

High School Band Ensemble  Add to Cart

Quarter(s): 3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 6

Teens will enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others in an instrument ensemble! This ensemble is for beginner and advanced beginner musicians of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Ensemble percussion students will learn to play the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel and xylophone). They will learn proper stick and mallet grip, posture, and playing position for concert percussion instrumentals. Ensemble woodwinds students will learn to play the flute, clarinet, or alto saxophone. They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Ensemble brass students will learn to play the trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, or tuba. They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. All students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors). They will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing instruments cooperatively and independently. Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the band. See the linked list by instrument. There is a $33.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the "Do It! Play (a Band Instrument)" book and workbook and the sheet music songs used for the ensemble.