Visual Arts

Visual arts programs are an integral part of the core curriculum offered at every Jeffco school. 

Jeffco Public Schools provides high-quality instruction, emphasizing a balance of studio art creation, critique and analysis and history. Students receive a curriculum based on the Colorado Academic Standards in drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, digital media, sculpture and ceramics.

The mission of the Visual Arts Department at Alameda International is to develop authentic, creative experiences by delivering a rigorous intersectional curriculum that fosters lifelong engagement with the global art community. 

Visual arts provides a variety of courses and pathways to suit students’ interests and goals. We offer courses in 2D artwork including drawing and painting, 3D artwork including ceramics, as well as digital photography and graphic design.

We also offer IB Visual Arts for 11th- and 12th-grade advanced students and those who are part of the IB Diploma Programme. 

Each year, students will have artworks selected to be entered into district- and state-level art shows including the Equity and Excellence Show and Jeffco middle and high school art shows. 

Additionally, each year the Alameda visual and performing arts departments host the annual Alameda Community Arts Night, where we celebrate the students in the Alameda articulation area including elementary, middle and high school students. 

Middle School

The middle school visual arts program offers two options for seventh- and eighth-grades students, each using the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) philosophy of teaching.

Students are exposed to as many forms of art-making as possible so they are able to develop a well-rounded foundation of skills that allows them to build on their interests, refine skills and explore further in their high school career. We also begin to develop character skills such as research and planning, communication, reflection and collaboration.

Middle school courses

Seventh grade

• Visual Arts Level 1
• Visual Arts Level 2
• Middle School Graphic Design 1 

Eighth grade

• Visual Arts Level 3
• Eighth-Grade Ceramics
• Middle School Graphic Design 2 

High School

The Middle School Visual Arts program offers 2 options for students in 7th & 8th Grade, each option being structured through the Middle Years Programme (MYP) philosophy of teaching.. For our middle school students, we aim to expose them to as many forms of art-making as possible so they are able to develop a well-rounded foundation of skills and allow them to build on their interests so they can refine their skills and explore topics further in their high school career. We also begin to develop character skills such as research/planning, communication, reflection, and collaboration.

High school courses

Beginner courses (9-12)

• Drawing Beginner
• Painting Beginner
• Ceramics Beginner
• Digital Photography Beginner
• Adobe Photoshop

Intermediate courses (9-12)

*Intermediate courses require successful completion of beginner-level course or instructor approval.

• Drawing Intermediate
• Painting Intermediate
• Ceramics Intermediate 
• Digital Photography Intermediate

Advanced courses (11-12)

• IB Visual Arts 1 and 2 
• 2D Art Advanced
• Ceramics Advanced