Art  

Grade Level: 9 to 12

Art is a basic one year lab course where students will learn and develop the essential skills in art and design.  Studio experiences in the classroom will give the student opportunity to develop creative expression, visual perception and technical abilities as well as art historical appreciation. Drawing, painting, design, collage, 3D, art history and careers in art will be explored.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. district graduation requirement.

Art Advanced

Grade Level: 10 to 12

Prerequisite: Art

Use of advanced materials such as oil and acrylic paint, 3 dimensional design, and independent portfolio projects to further explore the independent, creative process. 

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. district graduation requirement.

A.P. (Advanced Standing) Studio Art: Drawing

Grade Level: 10 to 12

Prerequisite: Art, Art Advanced, or permission of the instructor.

Advanced Placement Studio Art – Drawing assists students in the development of an original electronic portfolio of drawings submitted to the College Review Board at the end of the spring semester.  Students will create a total of 29 original, two dimensional art works (which may require two-three years of preparation).  Students will develop a total of 12 works in the Breadth section, 12 works in the Concentration area, and 5 total works for the Quality section.  (Please see Art 1, Art Advanced course descriptions). 

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

A.P. Studio Art: 2D

Grade Level: 11 to 12

Prerequisite: Art, Art Advanced, and AP Studio Art.

This year long course assists students in the development of an original electronic portfolio of drawings submitted to the College Review Board at the end of the spring semester.  Students will create a total of 29 original, two dimensional art works (which may require two-three years of preparation).  Students will develop a total of 12 works in the Breadth section, 12 works in the Concentration area, and 5 total works for the Quality section.

A.P. Studio Art 3D

Grade Level: 11 to 12

In this two semester course, students are expected to become independent thinkers and to apply their knowledge of the elements and principles to their work in a variety of media (clay, wire, paper mache, found objects) in order to demonstrate mastery of three-dimensional design skills and concepts.  Students interested in taking Advanced Placement: 3D Design are strongly encouraged to enroll in summer art programs, for example, ceramics wheel-throwing course to develop new skills, refine glazing techniques, and to create artwork during the summer prior to enrollment.  All Advanced Placement students submit portfolios (20 or more pieces) to the College Board for evaluation at the end of the school year (first week of May).

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Art of Video

Grade Level: 9 to 12

This two semester course teaches students the process of filmmaking from the idea-brainstorming stage to taking the footage and editing the footage into a final product.  Students’ imaginations and creative abilities will be challenged through hands-on projects utilizing their understanding of and experience with the designing stores, writing scripts, directing and acting, framing composition, camera angles and movement, and audio, light and editing.  Students will become skilled in producing their artistic segments and will produce and manage their own news broadcast that goes out to the school and community.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” VAPA requirement.

This course meets the C.T.E. or V.A.P.A. district graduation requirement.

Advanced Art of Video

Grade Level: 9 to 12 

Prerequisite: Art of Video or permission of the instructor.

This course will produce videos that will be viewed by both our school community and our community at large.  Our state-of-the-art studio and control room is managed like a television station.  Advanced video students have the responsibility for the production of our weekly broadcasts.  Student executive producers oversee the production of the entire broadcast.  Segments have their own producer responsible for the camera work, interview content, writing, graphics, and editing.  Mills Broadcasting also partners with Millbrae Public TV, students are part of a real sports TV Crew and learn the skills involved in producing segments using mobile TV units.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

This course meets the C.T.E. or V.A.P.A. district graduation requirement.

Ceramics

Grade Level: 9 to 12

This two semester course introduces students to the fundamentals of traditional ceramic arts: the basic processes of pottery, construction methods (pinch, slab, coil, and wheel forming) and surface decoration techniques.  Through viewing a variety of ceramic forms, discussing their purpose and/ or meanings, creating personal clay forms, students will develop artistic perception, creative expression, and aesthetic judgment, historical and cultural perspectives. 

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Ceramics - Advanced 

Grade Level: 9 to 12

Prerequisite: Ceramics

This year long course is designed to challenge students to create art forms intended to address a broad interpretation of the elements of art and the principles of design with an emphasis on design and craftsmanship. Students will create three-dimensional ceramic art forms through the additive, subtractive and/or fabrication processes, with an emphasis on developing a personal style in concept and execution of clay art.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Art & Multimedia  (Computer Art & Graphic Design)

Grade: 9 to 12

Prerequisite: None     

This one-­year  course  introduces  students digital based art and design. The students will explore a wide survey of art multimedia which includes, photography, basic animation, and graphic design. As access to digital tools shifts with cell phones and software, this course will reflect new exciting opportunities in Art Multimedia. Topics  covered  include  the  elements  of  art,  principles  of  design,  fine  art,  graphic  design,  visual  communication,  media,  and  provides  career  exploration. Students  will  develop  creative  expression, solve  visual  problems,  explore  software, DSLR cameras,  and  develop  digital  imaging  techniques.  Students will develop a  digital  portfolio that reflects new industry standards.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

This course meets the C.T.E. or V.A.P.A. district graduation requirement.

Symphonic Band (Advanced Band) 

Grade Level: 9 to 12

Prerequisite: Three years of successful instrumental experience or consent of instructor.

This band is for students who have already played several years on a wind, brass, or percussion instrument, and who have learned the basics of large group rehearsal. The band performs at several concerts and festivals, as well as athletic events, and occasionally travels out of town.  In addition to performing standard band literature, pop, and rock music, students will also study basic music history and theory.  Members of this band form the Mills Jazz Band. 

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Concert Choir 

Grade Level: 9 to 12

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor-may require audition. Some singing experience preferred.

This chorus is the vocal music class at Mills and students should be able to sing on key for membership.  Some singing experience is desirable, but not required, and the choir will perform literature from the 15th century to modern pop and jazz.  Activities will include several concerts and festivals, as well as the opportunity for periodic travel. 

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Jazz Ensemble

Grade Level: 9 to 12 

Prerequisite: For 9th grade or first time Mills Music students: Concurrent enrollment in 

Symphonic Band or Orchestra recommended.  All others can take Jazz Band alone. 10th to 12th graders who​  have not played music at​ Mills must audition to see if they are qualified for Jazz Band.

The jazz band will perform all styles of jazz with special emphasis on ensemble playing in both large and small groups.  Students will learn improvisation and will perform at several concerts and festivals.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Chamber Orchestra

Grade Level: 9 to 12 

Prerequisite: Three years of successful instrumental experience or consent of instructor.

This ensemble is for students who have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of playing the instruments of the orchestra.  This class is the string performance group at Mills and is for students with previous experience on stringed instruments who are beyond the basic level.  The Orchestra will play literature from the Baroque to the 20th century, as well as study basic music history and theory.  Activities will include several concerts and festivals, as well as opportunities for periodic travel. 

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.

Drama

Grade Level: 9 to 12 

Drama introduces students to the basic elements of acting, theater history and design. Students learn the fundamental concepts and terminology of theater.  Students gain experience in varied forms of creative expression including scene study, improvisation, playwriting, direction and design. Students analyze the role and development of theater in past and present cultures throughout the world. Through self and peer evaluation, as well as observance of outside performances, students develop their analytical and evaluative abilities. Students will identify and compare how film, theater, television, and electronic media productions influence our values and behaviors. Finally, this course is expected to stimulate a lifelong appreciation and interest in theater arts.

This course meets the U.C./C.S.U. “f” V.A.P.A. requirement.