Course Descriptions

Required and elective courses offered for the school year are listed in this section. Most, but not all, courses will also be offered in subsequent years. Course availability depends on enrollment. 

Explore Our Secondary Curriculum

Performing Arts

Please note for middle school students: Student may choose dance to fulfill the physical education requirement of 4 semesters in middle school. However, students should recognize that the dance program has rigorous expectations for dress code, participation, and etiquette. There are classes for various skill levels, from the beginning to the advanced dancer, but expectations are consistent across class levels.

Please note regarding dance classes: All dance classes count as physical education, four semesters of which are required at the high school to graduate from Campbell Hall. You may choose to take dance to fulfill your P.E. requirements; however, be advised that the dance program has rigorous expectations for dress code, participation, and etiquette. The program has many classes for various skill levels from the beginner to the advanced dancer, with consistent expectations for each class level. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year developing and perfecting skills at the same level. Students must earn a satisfactory or better grade in work habits and conduct to be eligible to matriculate to a more advanced level of study.

  • Dance I

    This full-year dance class is offered to students who are either new to dance or who have had a gap in their dance training. Students will actively engage in learning modern-based contemporary technique the first semester and ballet technique the second semester. Although the class is mostly movement based, students will learn some dance history in order to gain a deeper understanding of the events, challenges, and celebrations that helped shape the art form. Students will reflect on their learning and technical progress in the class. (Grades 7-12)

  • Apprentices (Previously Dance IIB)

    This full-year dance class is for students with some previous dance training. Students learn intermediate-beginning ballet technique, and, for the student who is ready, begin pointe work during the second semester. The emphasis of the class is to continue to learn and refine the student’s comprehension and application of ballet vocabulary and movement. Students focus on the study of body placement, correct alignment, developing musicality, and proper transfer of weight. Students begin to take responsibility for memorizing combinations quickly. The ballet history included in this course covers the 16th-17th centuries. Students will reflect on their learning and technical progress in the class. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisite: Dance I and/or department approval)

  • Coryphée (Previously Ballet Company Apprentices)

    This is a full-year beginning-intermediate ballet class. Students are introduced to new movement vocabulary, and work to increase physical strength, flexibility, and stamina. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. The ballet history included in this course covers the Romantic era. Students will reflect on their learning and technical progress in the class. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Ballet Apprentices and/or department approval)

  • Corps de Ballet (Previously Ballet Co Corps de Ballet)

    This is a full-year intermediate dance class. The class moves at a quicker pace and combinations become longer. The class works on movements such as double pirouettes and simple jumps embellished with beats. Pointe work becomes increasingly advanced and students are expected to wear their pointe shoes more often. Students will also learn the history of the Classical era in ballet. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and prowess. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Coryphée and/or department approval)

  • Ballet Soloists (previously Ballet Co Soloists)

    This is a full-year advanced-intermediate dance class. This class moves at an accelerated pace as students incorporate and build upon skills learned in the previous levels, learn new and more challenging ballet vocabulary, develop their artistry, and dance en pointe more often. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. The ballet history included in this course covers the Russian influence in the early 20th century. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Corps de Ballet and/or department approval)

  • Ballet Principals (Previously Ballet Company Principals)

    This is a full-year advanced dance class. Students learn new and challenging ballet vocabulary at an accelerated pace and dance en pointe every class. The dancers also have monthly assignments to discover current dancers, choreographers, and dance companies. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Ballet Soloists and/or department approval)

  • Ballet Variations (Previously Ballet Pointe/Variations)

    The objective of this full-year class is to teach our most advanced and serious dancers how to express their individual musicality and artistry. Throughout the year the students learn variations, short dances ranging from 1-3 minutes, from Classical era ballets such as Paquita, La Bayadère and Raymonda. Students are assessed by their performance of each variation. Students dance en pointe in every class. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 8-12; prerequisites: Ballet Principals and/or department approval)

  • Contemporary Trainees (Previously Dance IIA)

    This course is offered to all students who have had beginning to intermediate dance training and emphasizes continuing to learn and refine comprehension and application of beginning/intermediate modern vocabulary and movement. Students focus on the study of body placement: correct alignment, developing musicality, and proper transfer of weight. Students begin to self-correct for retaining and memorizing combinations quickly. Students gain experience with improvisation, self-assess their technical skills and progress, and have one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Curricular Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisite: Dance I and/or department approval)

  • Contemporary Ensemble (previously Contemporary Co Ensemble)

    This class requires at least two current years of focused modern-based contemporary training. It allows students the opportunity to learn Lester Horton technique and understand its significant contribution to dance. Students learn to take responsibility for memorizing combinations quickly and accurately and are expected to attain a sufficient degree of mind-body awareness in order to self-correct during exercises. Throughout the year, students work to understand and control the turnout of their hips, placement and control of their arms, and the line of their bodies. Students will regularly assess their own skills and progress while continuing to work on improvisation and choreography. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Contemporary Trainees and/or department approval)

  • Contemporary Soloists (previously called Contemporary Co Soloists)

    This intermediate class requires at least three current years of focused modern-based contemporary training. This class moves at an accelerated pace as students incorporate and build upon skills learned in the previous levels while learning new and more challenging modern-based contemporary vocabulary. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly assess their own skills and progress while continuing to work on improvisation and choreography. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Contemporary Ensemble and/or department approval)

  • Contemporary Principals (previously called Contemporary Co Principals)

    This advanced-intermediate dance class requires at least four years of focused modern-based contemporary training. Students learn new and challenging contemporary vocabulary at an accelerated pace with a focus on floorwork and partnering. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly assess their own skills, improvise frequently, and continue to hone choreographic skills. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert. (Grades 8-12; prerequisites: Contemporary Soloists and/or department approval)

  • Choir Exploration

    Students will experience what it means to be part of an ensemble as they learn classical, a cappella, and pop songs from Mozart to Pentatonix. The choir participates in a wide variety of performance opportunities including school chapels, assemblies, and evening performances with the high school choir. No audition is required and no previous singing study is required to be a part of the ensemble, but solos and duets are auditioned when appropriate. (A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th and 8th grade students.)

  • Introduction to Theater Exploration

    This exploration class meets once weekly to explore the exciting world of live theater from an actor’s perspective! Students will play improvisational games, learn to use theater games to write their own material and create characters, and write and perform comedy sketches just like Saturday Night Live does. Get ready to have a blast exploring Broadway plays, musicals, and the art of acting. Additionally, students will perform class projects at two live school events during the school year! Learn to be more socially confident, artistically aware, and emotionally expressive in a fun and encouraging environment. (A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th and 8th grade students.)

  • Introduction to Theater Tech Exploration

    In this exploration class students will have the opportunity to construct props, paint sets, learn to use tools safely, run the sound board, operate the lights and more, while preparing the stage and set for the two middle school theatrical productions. Students in this class may also choose to participate in the productions by joining the after school tech crew and running all technical aspects of the shows during performances.(A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th and 8th grade students.)

  • Jazz Band Exploration

    Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, drum, and piano players work together to rehearse and perform fun and exciting jazz charts and develop improvisational skills. Students will learn how to improvise, “comp,” and apply basic theory knowledge to their instruments, as well as perform for various concerts and assemblies. Audition required for guitar, bass, drum, and piano players. (A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th and 8th grade students.)

  • Jazz Workshop Exploration

    Rhythm section players (guitar, bass, drum, and piano) work together to rehearse and to perform fun and exciting jazz charts and to develop improvisational skills. Students will learn how to improvise, “comp,” and apply basic theory knowledge to their instruments, as well as perform for various concerts and assemblies. Audition required for guitar, bass, drum, and piano players. (A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th and 8th grade students.)

  • Orchestra Exploration

    From “Harry Potter” to Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” the orchestra exploration class is an exciting class for string, woodwind, and brass players interested in learning and performing orchestral music for concerts, assemblies, chapels, and other special events.(A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th and 8th grade students.)

  • Steel PANdas Elective

    This 8th-grade music elective course offers students a hands-on opportunity to play the newest acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century, the steel drum. Students will review the basics of music notation, a cultural and historical context of the steel drum, an appreciation for how the steel drum is built and tuned, instrument setup and care, rhythmic feel and coordination drills, mallet techniques, basic ensemble and musicianship listening skills, and ultimately learn how to play several traditional and popular songs on these converted oil barrels in a full orchestra of steel drums. The group performs at various campus events, chapels, and at the Winter and Spring World Music Concerts. Come experience the tropical sounds of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, no prior experience necessary, only a focused attitude and a good work ethic. (A one semester elective for 8th graders.)

  • Acting Elective

    Students learn how to better express themselves through scene work, storytelling, imagination, character analysis, the power of emotion, listening, writing, improvisation, and theater games. This elective goes deeper into the concepts that were introduced in the Introduction to Acting exploration class and prepares students for continued theatrical studies in high school, and enriches their experience for any production they might be working on. There is no prerequisite...just a willingness to jump in. (A one semester elective for 8th graders.)

  • World Drumming Exploration

    Whether you’re experienced or new to drumming, join this ensemble to learn influential drumming traditions from various parts of the globe including Africa, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, and Trinidad. During this course, you will learn how to play folkloric rhythms using an extensive collection of authentic instruments from these regions. This group will perform during a chapel, Grandparents Day, and at the two World Music concerts. (A one-year study hall exploration class for 7th grade students.)

Prerequisites + Recommendation for Courses

Some courses have prerequisites and/or require recommendation from the teacher and department chair. Students should direct questions regarding their course placement to their teachers in the spring, before or after their individual course request meetings with a principal, dean, or college counselor. Most honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses require certain grades in previous courses. A student must earn a grade of A- or higher (as determined by averaging the percentages of T1 and T2 grades) in a regular class in order to be granted the option to enroll in the next level of advanced study (usually honors or AP; in math, the next tier up of three).

Honors + Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

  • Generally move at a quicker pace and cover more material than regular college-prep courses of the same subject/name, with often higher expectations in terms of homework load
  • Are exempt from the policy that a student must have two or fewer major assessments on a day
  • Have prerequisite courses and/or grades for entry 

University of California (UC) Approved Courses

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are approved by the UC, meaning that a C- or higher in that course counts towards satisfying UC requirements and count towards a student’s UC GPA. Many courses without the mark are pending approval. These courses also marked with a (†) have an Honors/AP designation (extra GPA point) with the UC. Read more details on UC requirements
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Phone 818.980.7280

Campbell Hall is a K-12 independent, Episcopal, gender-inclusive day school. We are a community of inquiry committed to academic excellence and to the nurturing of decent, loving, and responsible human beings.

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Campbell Hall admits students of any race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics and other school-administered programs.
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