Bay is alive with the artwork our students produce, the monologues they’re preparing, and the compositions they’re playing.
We believe the arts are an essential tool for understanding and navigating our world. Bay's arts curriculum nurtures a dynamic community where students delve into engaging and thought-provoking pieces from day one.
Through visual media, music, and drama, students confront complex problems creatively and develop new ways to communicate with depth and nuance. Emphasizing a culture of playfulness, our program encourages students to experiment and take risks, fostering a spirit of exploration and innovation. Beyond technical prowess, our program instills confidence and cultivates transformative expression.
Adorned with student artwork, our halls resonate with a culture that not only embraces artistic exploration but challenges students to push the boundaries of conventional thought. With teachers acting as facilitators, students discover their voices early and evolve into proactive, empathetic individuals who harness art as a means to connect.
Bay requires each student to complete a two-semester sequence in a subject within the visual or performing arts. This structured approach ensures that every student not only engages with artistic expression but also acquires proficiency in a chosen area of interest. As students progress through our program, they have the opportunity to pursue more specialized interests and curriculum in our upper-level and elective classes.
Courses Offered
Bay requires each student to take The Creative Process as well as two semesters (“A-B sequence”) in the visual or performing arts. This fulfills the University of California arts-education requirement. Beyond these, Bay offers courses that allow our students to deepen their skills and refine their creative thinking.
- The Creative Process (9th grade requirement)
- Design 1A/1B
- Drama 1A/1B
- Drawing 1A/1B
- Jazz 1A/1B
- Music Production 1A/1B
- Painting 1A/1B
- Photography 1A/1B
- Video Production 1A/1B
- Vocal Music 1A/1B
- Advanced Design
- Advanced Drama: Directing and Script Analysis (Honors)
- Advanced Drawing and Painting Studio (Honors)
- Advanced Projects in Digital Arts (Honors)
- Advanced Vocal Music
- Artist as Activist
- Jazz 2 (Honors)
- Yearbook
- Filmmaking
- Hands On: Process, Play, and the Art of Making
- Museum Studies
- Modern American Family
- Technical Theater
- The Art and Science of Bicycle Fabrication
Extracurricular Arts Programs
Theater
The Bay Theater program mounts two full-scale productions each year: a fall musical and a spring play. Theater Director Denise Blase brings a wealth of experience and connections, ensuring that students get training in all areas of stagecraft.
Each production offers a wide variety of ways to be involved, and an enthusiastic group of students make up every cast and crew serving as actors, stage managers, set and costume designers, light and sound designers, and publicists. Participation in Bay Theater counts toward credit in the Activities program.
Music
Outside of our academic jazz program, Bay's jazz club performs at school gatherings and all around the Bay Area. Our young musicians get instrument instruction and practice consistently with music director Colin Williams to hone their skills and develop their ensemble playing. Honors Jazz can be taken more than once.
Colin also leads Groove Club, a chance for unstructured music education and experimentation. All skill levels are welcome!