Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course introduces students to the elements and principles of 3-dimensional design such as space, form, balance, and texture. Students will develop foundational building and construction techniques for stable and intentional 3D forms. Through projects in sculpture, architecture, and installation art, students will work with a wide range of materials including tape, cardboard, foam board, and found objects. All materials will be provided, and no prior experience in sculpture or drawing is required.

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This course is open to those students who have been actively involved with quiz bowl for at least one year. Through this course, students will practice learning via the most modern advanced learning theories. Each student will be involved in the development of an individual learning program for himself—he will choose subject areas from science, social studies, and humanities in which to specialize. Students are required to participate (locally and/or nationally) in a minimum of eight academic competitions throughout the year. This course will have a service/leadership component: students will assist with the development of the prep bowl materials for the following year. Additional requirements will include the development of files on major academic topics from a variety of disciplines. This course is ideal for the precocious student looking for greater challenge.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Each semester is 0.5 credit.

Dr. Maier’s approval is required. 

Prerequisite: Quiz Bowl

Class held at St. Agnes. (Fall & Spring)

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This is a class for the beginning actor, or for the student who has had some acting or stage experience. This class is driven by participation and the students will be graded on their improvement from beginning to end. Students will receive a condensed version of theater and acting history as well as a list of drama terms & lingo. Students will explore the techniques of acting and how to improve on them, thereby gaining more experience on stage and in front of an audience. Each student will perform monologs and be part of a short scene with dialog. Students learn by critiquing each other’s performances in class. 

Class held at St. Agnes. (Spring only)

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This is the follow-up class to Introduction to Acting. Students will learn advanced acting techniques, Stanislavski’s “method acting”, pantomime, voice, stage blocking, and will also concentrate on the different forms of drama-comedy, tragedy, and melodrama. Students will then perform scenes on stage in order to utilize the techniques that they have learned.

Prerequisite: Acting 1

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes juniors and seniors.

The Advanced Photography, Filmmaking, and New Media Arts course is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced level work in photography, filmmaking, graphic art, animation, and various other new media and digital art making mediums; including 3D printing, various video and time-based mediums, internet and AI software-based formats, installation, and light and sound-based mediums. The course is designed to challenge the art student creatively, intellectually, and technically, and to educate the student in the practical and community concerns of creative careers through a curriculum that prioritizes a holistic arts education—including talks by visiting artists and arts professionals, a field trip to local art organizations and galleries that highlights the way art communities are organized, and a continued education in contemporary art history and theory.

Research and outside preparations are an integral part of the course work as each student will design their own curriculum for the semester based on their own unique creative goals. This course caters to students building college portfolios but is recommended to all students interested in gaining a deeper understanding of contemporary art and cinema while pursuing a cohesive personal portfolio. The course culminates in a group exhibition curated by the students—the St Agnes Art Expo.

Prerequisite: Digital Photography or Filmmaking or Graphic Arts.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes juniors and seniors.

Advanced Studio students explore and build on skills developed in Drawing and Painting courses. Studio is for the serious, self-motivated student, who wants advanced studio time for creating two-dimensional art specifically for developing a portfolio. Through class discussion, students continue to analyze themes in Art History as a rich source of inspiration for their artwork. Through the integration of critical thinking skills, students are challenged to develop personal expression with analytical and intuitive approaches. Students work on a variety of surfaces and continue to explore new and experimental approaches to art making. Discussion and analysis of work is ongoing in all stages from planning to completion as students learn methods of formal critique.  Emphasis is on exploration of individual interests in art techniques and personal themes, concluding with a thematic collection which includes an art installation and artistic statement with the works presented.

Prerequisite: Drawing 1 and Painting 1.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

AP Art History is meant to be the equivalent of an introductory college-level course. This survey course will explore the history of art and its artists across the globe from prehistory to the present. It will emphasize the analysis of works of art through visual observation, class discussion, reading and writing, and independent research. By the end of the course, students will be able to contextualize works of art, compare works of art from different eras and cultures, see connections to artistic traditions in a work of art, and develop theories about the meaning of a work of art while explaining and supporting their interpretations in both written and verbal form. 

All students are expected to take the AP Art History exam in May.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes juniors and seniors.

Art History B is a survey course that tracks western art, sculpture, and architecture from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century. The purposes of art, cultural influences, historical implications, and reactionary trends are recurring topics throughout the course. Students are encouraged to make independent correlations of style, content, and theme through observation, study, and research. Through this study of art, students have richer experiences in their travels and their study of history, religion and other cultures. Ideally, the study of art history links us in a very visual and concrete way to humanity and the journey that came before.

Class held at St. Agnes. (Fall only)

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This course is designed to help young actors begin to negotiate the world of the audition. Students hone their audition skills in a supportive atmosphere, through hands-on workshops focusing on various types of auditions that may include contemporary and classical monologues, commercial voiceovers, cold-copy commercial, etc. By meeting and auditioning for working artists and casting directors from the professional world, students will gain insight and refine the skills that will help them audition more effectively in all contexts.? 

Prerequisite: Acting 1 or previous involvement in SAA/SJ theatrical productions and teacher permission.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes students.

The Strake Jesuit/St. Agnes Band performs at all football games as well as Christmas and Spring Concerts and Contests. The group affords instrumentalists the opportunity for both solo and ensemble performance. The band is open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes students by audition and can accommodate players from moderate to advance experience levels.  

This class meets during 0 period before school from 7:00am – 7:45am.  

Mr. Burke’s approval is required. 

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

In this beginners ceramics course, students will practice the basic techniques of hand building (pinch pot, slab construction, and coil construction) and will develop their wheel-throwing skills. Craftsmanship, creativity, and an appreciation for the elements that are inherent to well-made functional pottery are emphasized in this class. The students will continue to use the basic visual art elements and apply principles of design to all ceramic work. They will produce decorative and functional pottery.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

In Ceramics 2, students will deepen their understanding and technical skills in pottery, with a primary focus on developing proficiency in wheel-throwing techniques. This course is designed for students who have foundational ceramics knowledge from Ceramics 1 and are eager to explore more advanced methods of creating functional and sculptural forms. 

In addition to technical proficiency, students will explore different global pottery traditions, from the narrative vessels of ancient Greece to elegant Korean Moon Jars. Students will be encouraged to develop their own artistic voice, experimenting with style, form, and surface design.

Prerequisite: Ceramics 1

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes students.

The Strake Jesuit Chamber Orchestra offers string players a chance to develop their talents by performing music from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. Concerts are given in the fall and spring and smaller ensembles afford individuals more intricate and advanced music.  Players of all levels of experience are welcome. 

This class meets during 0 period before school from 7:00am – 7:45am.  

Mr. Hernandez-Ching’s approval is required. 

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Dive into the captivating world of theatrical design with our "Design for Theatre" class. This advanced course is designed for students who already have a foundation in theatre and are eager to explore the intricacies of lighting, scenic, and costume design. This class offers a comprehensive exploration of the design process. Through engaging discussions, lectures, and practical lab work, you'll develop the skills needed to analyze scripts, collaborate with other designers, and create fully realized design packets. Gain hands-on experience with Vectorworks, a critical CAD drafting program in the world of theatrical design. Whether you've completed an introductory technical theatre course or have worked on productions, "Design for Theatre" will empower you to bring your creative visions to life on the stage. 

Prerequisite: Theater Practicum - Performance or Production, or by teacher permission.   

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of drawing and illustration and will focus on the digital application and how it relates to traditional media. Students will use Procreate and Affinity Designer for the iPad to create digital art.

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course builds on the concepts learned in Digital Drawing and Illustration 1 and explores more complex subjects through a digital medium. Students will use Procreate and Affinity Designer for the iPad as well as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Prerequisite: Digital Drawing and Illustration 1 or Beginning Drawing

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This course is an introduction to elements and principals of design, typography and imagery as they apply to practical visual solutions. This course instructs the student in graphic design skills, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, programs that employ various digital tools, materials, and procedures that are employed in the communication arts industry.

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course is an advanced study of digital editing and image correction as it applies to the needs of graphics or photography for students and professionals. This class serves as a portfolio design class and students will focus their time on creating a minimum 5-piece portfolio. Students may choose to focus their time in Photoshop or Illustrator and are required to enter a minimum of one art competition during the semester.

Prerequisite: Digital Graphics 1

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course is an introduction to digital photography as a fine art and as a means of personal expression. It provides students with the necessary technical and aesthetic skills to make quality digital photographs in ambient light. Topics covered include the understanding of the technology of digital and film cameras, basics of exposure, perspective, point of view, color principles, motion blur, composition, and the basic use of Adobe Photoshop.

No previous experience is necessary and a set of cameras will be shared among the class.

Class held at St. Agnes. Spring semester only.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Directing Capstone is an independent study course designed for dedicated theatre students and aspiring directors who wish to participate in an extended, hands-on experience in play analysis, planning, and production. In this course, students will learn and apply various directing techniques, focusing on visual storytelling skills rooted in the principles of design. Additionally, students will develop skills for collaborating with actors and stage crew members, as well as gain expertise in stage management and methods for promotion and publicity. The course culminates in a Capstone Project, which involves a student-produced and directed one-act play as part of the SAA Playmakers Festival.? 

Prerequisite: Acting 1 AND either: Acting 2 or Intro to Playwriting. Additionally, students must serve as an Apprentice Director (Theatre Practicum) for at least one SAA Theatre production before the course start date.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Drawing 1 is the foundational art course for students who wish to pursue upper-level art courses in subsequent years. For the novice, Drawing 1 equips the student with the skills to sensitively represent whatever they see. Drawing 1 students start with fundamental skills and gradually build upon those basic skills until anything is possible. The accomplished artist will gain greater confidence, speed, and sensitivity to aid in the full realization of their own inspirations. Drawing 1 students explore their own potential in experimenting with pencil, charcoal, conte, ink and a variety of application methods through a series of technical and creative assignments. Gradually, the student develops the ability to render real and imagined imagery through the mastery of sensitive observation, sketching skills, value and texture reproduction, perspective application, and design principles. Drawing 1 also nurtures the artist with methodological and conceptual skills that are essential for success in intermediate and advanced drawing and painting classes. This class is a prerequisite for Drawing 2, Advanced Studio Art, and all painting classes. 

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes juniors and seniors.

Drawing 2 students explore a wide range of drawing materials and techniques such as charcoal, pencil, ink, colored pencil, and mixed media. Students develop the technical skills to replicate what they see and the intuitive practice to communicate what they feel. The assignments are very customizable opportunities for creativity and self expression.  Artists are encouraged to create the art they truly want to make. Art historical examples and technical demonstrations are presented for each new project. The practice of concise language is encouraged during the critique process. This one-semester course encourages serious students to develop personal expression as well as creative thinking. 

Prerequisite: Drawing 1.

Film Studies is designed to introduce students to the thoughtful study of film as a legitimate fine art form. After developing a working knowledge of film terminology, students will learn to “read” films much like literature—analyzing visual style, narrative structure, sound, editing, and performance. The class combines screenings, discussion, readings, and written responses. By semester’s end, students will apply their knowledge in a culminating film analysis project, demonstrating their ability to interpret film using the tools of critical study.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The Filmmaking course is an entry level course designed to teach the technical and conceptual fundamentals of filmmaking. Students create their own short films in this course using a variety of software and hardware including DSLR cameras and Adobe Premiere.  Students in this course are encouraged to develop their own unique interests and may choose from a variety of project paths to pursue their own creative goals, while also studying the diverse and dynamic language of filmmaking through film viewings. 

All team members are encouraged to enroll in the after-school forensics class, which serves as the foundation of the debate program. New members begin the year on a probationary basis and may enroll in the class after the first quarter. Students in the class will compete in either Public Forum or Lincoln-Douglas debate. Course requirements include attending at least two after-school practices per week, competing in a minimum of four tournaments during the first semester, and competing in at least four tournaments during the second semester. Students are permitted to participate in debate while also being involved in athletics or other extracurricular activities; however, clear and consistent communication with both debate coaches and activity coaches is expected in order to manage scheduling conflicts effectively.

This class does not meet during one of the five regular periods.

Mr. Crist's approval is required.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Fundamentals of Art provides novice students an opportunity to build a creative foundation through the understanding of the visual language of art and a basic knowledge of art materials and mediums including drawing with pen and ink, painting and color theory basics, collage applications and printmaking’ along with a project on 20th century Art History. Students will gain a working knowledge of the basic principles, theories, and concepts of two-dimensional image making and will explore creative thinking skills and develop artistic awareness. Students practice the basic skills and techniques necessary for creating traditional and contemporary artwork.

Please note that this class does not satisfy the prerequisite for Advanced Drawing and Beginning Painting. 

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course is designed to build upon beginner level dance techniques and terminology. Students will study a variety of dance styles such as ballet, lyrical, modern, hip hop, jazz, tap, and contemporary dance forms at the intermediate level. Students will increase performance quality and musicality while learning to execute intermediate level choreography. This course will continue to work on stretching to increase flexibility and strength training to improve body alignment. Participation in the Spring Dance Concert is highly recommended. 

Prerequisite: Introduction to Dance or Instructor Permission.

Class held at St. Agnes

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes seniors.

Explore the art of woodworking in our "Introduction to Woodworking" class, tailored for high school students at our all-girls high school. Whether you're a complete beginner or have limited woodworking experience, this course will teach you safe tool operation, creative problem-solving, and the basics of working with wood. 80% of your time will be spent on hands-on creations in our Scene Shop, with opportunities for group and individual projects. This class is a gateway to mastering the medium of wood and acquiring valuable skills that extend beyond the workshop, making it a valuable addition to any field of study or career path. Join us to unleash your creativity and craftsmanship through the beauty of woodworking. 

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Students will explore the art and craft of writing for the stage. Through a series of engaging creative writing assignments, participants will develop their skills in character creation, dialogue, and dramatic structure while working towards the completion of a one-act play.  

Prerequisite: Acting 1 and one Theatre Practicum (Performance or Production)

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Mixed Media is an introductory course to artwork composed from a combination of different media or materials. In this course, different mediums may be taught separately or jointly depending on the project or desired effect. Mixed Media is designed to explore creative thinking by allowing the student to dabble in many mediums during the course of the semester. This fosters an awareness and appreciation for multiple kinds of art. The basic fundamentals of art and design will also be taught, such as balance, proportion and composition. Mixed Media may be flat, 2 or 3 dimensional and may incorporate mediums such as graphite, paint, clay, pastels, pen and ink, print making, canvas, and plaster.

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This course explores the dynamic relationship between music and sports and the role music plays in shaping athletic culture, identity, and fan experience. Students will examine how music is used in live sporting events, broadcasts, and media to influence emotion, establish tradition, and reflect cultural and national identity. Topics include pre-game and post-game music, broadcast themes, national anthems, sports highlights, and comparisons across professional, collegiate, and international sports. Through listening, viewing, discussion, and creative projects, students will critically analyze the use of music in sports while developing both analytical and creative skills.

Class held at St. Agnes. (Fall only)

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Offered in collaboration with the Theater, Music and Dance programs, students will develop and hone skills in Broadway dance techniques, applied vocal techniques, ensemble singing, and acting techniques related directly to the musical theater genre. Course may be repeated

Participation in this class does not guarantee a role in the spring musical.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This one-semester course is designed for students who wish to explore basic painting applications. Students build on Drawing 1 skills in combination with applying the principles of color theory and value. Students are introduced to the basic methods and techniques of acrylic paint applications along with the importance of creating interesting composition. Class discussion explores the formal elements of making successful paintings along with viewing a variety century and contemporary art. 

Prerequisite: Drawing 1.

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Painting 2 is designed for the artist who enjoyed their entry level painting class and can’t wait to smell paint again! Skills acquired in previous classes, such as Drawing 1 & 2 and Painting 1, equip the Painting II student to create more personally motivated and ambitious art. The ultimate priority for each student is to use this class as an opportunity to make the art that she is passionately motivated to create. Each student is encouraged to customize assignments to her liking so that her art is uniquely representative of the artist and reflective of concepts and issues that are important to her. Like all advanced art students Painting 2 students are required to participate in our end-of-year advanced art show. They are also given multiple opportunities to show and compete. This class also serves as an excellent portfolio building venue.

Prerequisite: Painting 1.

Open to Strake Jesuit sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Photography & Design: Yearbooks offers comprehensive learning in photography, graphic design, and document design, tailored to creating a school yearbook. Students will explore visual literacy, develop design skills using various media, and understand the cultural and historical significance of visual storytelling. The course emphasizes hands-on experience, creative problem solving, and collaboration, aligning with the Texas Art Education Standards for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and career readiness in art.

Stagecraft II builds upon the technical and creative skills developed in Stagecraft I, offering students the opportunity to take on leadership roles in the design and construction process. Students will explore advanced topics such as lighting design, sound engineering, and advanced carpentry. They will also learn to manage projects, lead teams, and collaborate with directors and designers to create cohesive and professional-quality productions. Safety remains a priority as students handle more complex tools and techniques. 

Prerequisite: Stagecraft 1 

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Students who participate backstage (stage managers, crew positions, scene shop, etc.) on a theater production may earn a 0.5 credit towards fulfilling the graduation requirement in fine arts. Students who use Theatre Practicum for credit will be awarded the credit Pass/Fail. As there will be no numeric grade, this credit will not be calculated into their GPA. Students must maintain academic eligibility to receive credit. Course may be repeated. 

Prerequisite: Application and Interview

Class held at St. Agnes.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Students who participate backstage (stage managers, crew positions, scene shop, etc.) on a theater production may earn a 0.5 credit towards fulfilling the graduation requirement in fine arts. Students who use Theatre Practicum for credit will be awarded the credit Pass/Fail. As there will be no numeric grade, this credit will not be calculated into their GPA. Students must maintain academic eligibility to receive credit. Course may be repeated. 

Prerequisite: Application and Interview

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This is a one semester class that can be taken both semesters. This is a performance based course.  The members of Theater Production are chosen by an application, audition, and interview process.  The class is responsible for a majority of the production work done by the Southwell Players and Thespians.  It explores audition, rehearsal, and production schedules.  It provides students with opportunities to learn techniques in acting, directing, stage-management, costuming, designing and other theater production areas.  Students are expected to actively contribute to current and upcoming productions as well as maintain academic eligibility to do so. 

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Each semester is 0.5 credit.

Mr. Sullivan’s approval is required. 

Open to Strake Jesuit freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Every Monday at the end of first period, the student body views the SJET morning announcements. In this class that meets during 0 period, the students will be responsible for putting together the Monday show from script to airtime. This puts the production of every show in the hands of the students. They will prepare the content and operations of the show: scripts, audio, directing, technical directing, teleprompting, distributing, camera operating and anchoring.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Each semester is 0.25 credits.

This class meets during 0 period.

Prerequisite: Digital Media Arts 1 or an interview with Mr. Dougherty.

Open to Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes sophomores, juniors and seniors. 

In this course, students will gain a foundational knowledge of website creation and be able to apply it to the planning, design and development of their own portfolio website over the course of the semester. Hands-on learning in a fun, dynamic environment will allow students’ creativity to be embraced with the idea of designing web pages using HTML and CSS coding. By the end of this course, students will be comfortable creating, coding and using basic HTML and CSS languages. Equipped with a historical understanding of the web’s evolution and key industry-standard design guidelines to ensure strong online presentation, you will have a foundational knowledge of website creation and apply it to the planning, design and development of your own web page(s) over the course of the semester. Critical thinking will be encouraged through your class interactions, projects, and online postings. 

Students earn a 0.5 Fine Arts credit for this course.