Students will learn basic ukulele playing skills and beginning piano playing skills. In addition to playing ukulele and piano, students will also use music websites and basic music sequencing software to create simple music pieces. Students will also learn basic music theory and how to read music notation. Students will also learn about famous musicians and music history/current events/music from other parts of the world.

In this year-long course, Students will learn how to play ukulele and piano with the intention of using those skills to write their own songs and pieces of music. Students will learn how to create many different styles of music using instruments and technology, including Digital Audio Workstations or music sequencers and digital composition programs.

This class teaches the development of basic vocal techniques and skills including: good posture, tone quality, and breath support. Students sing a variety of music in different styles and languages. This is considered a beginning level class, no musical experience is necessary.

Students build on previous choral experience to expand vocal, technical, musical, and ensemble skills through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality choral literature. The advanced chorus performs at numerous events, concerts, and competitions throughout the year. This is an advanced course, 1-2 years of choral experience is suggested.

Students will learn the music styles of Trindad and other Caribbean cultures. Students interested in steel pans are encouraged to sign up. No experience is necessary to begin. The class will prepare for several performances throughout the year.

This group performs Jazz, Latin, and Rock music in a traditional 'big band' setting. Students need to have at least one full year of music experience. This group includes Trumpet, Trombone, Saxes, piano, bass, and drums and other instruments at the teacher’s discretion. Students will perform at concerts, music festivals, field trips, and will receive coaching opportunities by professionals in the field. This is considered an advanced course.

Students will choose 'one' of the following instruments to learn: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, or drums. Students will learn fundamental skills and get a chance to perform in two concerts for their families. This is considered a beginning level music class. No musical experience is necessary. The teacher can help choose an instrument if needed. Three sections offered in 2024-2025.

Students will have the opportunity to learn advanced technique on their instruments, hone in on sight-reading skills, and perform advanced level music in this course. Students will perform at various concerts throughout the school year, field trips, and will receive coaching opportunities by professionals in the field. This is a second year band class. 1 year of beginning band or approval from the teacher is required.

Students build on previous Band experience to expand music skills through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality literature. Development of technical instrumental skills, including advanced note reading, tonguing and fingering skills, and improved intonation are addressed through the use of a wide variety of challenging repertoire and practical music theory. Students will perform at various concerts throughout the school year, adjudicated music festivals, field trips, and will receive coaching opportunities by professionals in the field. This is considered an advanced level class, 1-2 years of instrumental knowledge is expected.

This course teaches students the fundamentals skills in performance on a string instrument. Students will choose from violin, viola, cello, or double bass as their instrument of choice for the entire year. Students will perform at various concerts throughout the school year. This is considered a beginning level class, no musical experience is necessary. Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

Students build on previous orchestral experience to expand music skills through the development of technical skills, advanced note reading, and improved intonation through the use of challenging repertoire. Students will perform at various concerts throughout the school year, adjudicated music festivals, field trips, and will receive coaching opportunities by professionals in the field. This is considered an advanced level class, 1-2 years of instrumental and orchestral knowledge is suggested.

Students will learn a variety of basic Mariachi styles, vocal and instrumental techniques, and advanced musical skills required to play traditional Mariachi instruments. Students will perform at various concerts throughout the school year, adjudicated music festivals, field trips, and will receive coaching opportunities by professionals in the field. 1-2 years of instrumental or vocal knowledge is encouraged.

In musical theater class, you’ll learn about the greatest musicals of all time, plus choose some songs of your own to perform. We’ll sing, dance, act, and learn how to prepare for a musical theater audition. At the end of the year, you’ll perform a musical showcase for an audience!

Performance & production class will focus on non-musical acting and what it takes to put on a full-length play. You’ll look at how directors choose a play, choose one of your own to perform as a class, and share it with an audience at the end of the year. Students can do either onstage OR offstage work for this play, so everyone is welcome! Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

Students will work together to produce daily video announcements to communicate important information to Davidson. They will learn the basics of planning, filming and editing engaging video segments. Aspiring YouTubers can pick up a lot of skills here! Both on-camera and off-camera workers are needed.

Studio Art class where students will learn how to sculpt in different mediums. Students at all skill levels are welcome. The emphasis in this class is learning how to express yourself and be creative. Students work at their own pace and are given the skills to create their own style. From figurines to piñatas learn to make all kinds of sculpted art.

Studio Art class where students learn how to paint in different mediums. Students at all skill levels are welcome. If you enjoy manga, graffiti, or more realistic styles then learn how to make these things on your own. Students work at their own pace and are given the opportunity to work with many new materials and develop skills to be an artist.

Studio Art class where students learn different printing techniques. Students at all skill levels are welcome. From posters and tee shirts to rubber stamps, students learn how to reproduce their art. We will make comic books in this class. Students work at their own pace.

In this class we will explore a variety of three-dimensional processes with various materials using traditional and nontraditional constructive techniques. We will be exploring making baskets with local plants, papermaking, scrapbooking, soap making, found object sculpture, jewelry making, printmaking, papier-mache and much more. We will be using these diverse materials to further our understanding and appreciation of the needs of all societies, past and present.

The fiber arts class will be an overview of the skills and methods used to make items out of yarn. You will be learning the basics of crochet, knitting, embroidery, felting, and more. You will learn to make hats, bags, amigurumi(stuffed animals), in addition to the basic stitches that will allow you to create whatever you can think of. Endless possibilities!

This class will be an introduction into the ceramic arts. Students will learn about the historical background, traditions, and artistic properties of ceramics through a variety of studio practices. Students will acquire knowledge of form, volume, and space relationships by construction hand-built and wheel-thrown forms of clay. We will start with the basics of handbuilding, from pinch pots, to coil pots, and slab vases. As time as space permits, students will have a chance at exploring using the wheel to create bowls. cups and vases. We will also be using clay as a medium to explore and investigate our identity and the world around us. Come experience the magic of clay!

In this class you will become an Ocean Ambassador. We will learn about the diverse ecosystems in our earth's oceans with a specific focus on marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, etc). We will also learn about how we, as humans, are connected to our oceans and how our actions affect the ocean. As part of this class you will develop and create a solution to an ongoing issue impacting the health of marine mammals.

This project-based class will include coding, beginner and advanced 3D design (including limited printing, block based game design as well as introductory Unity game creation, video editing, Photoshop, digital music creation. We will work with small electronic devices like the Microbit, and Arduinos, to explore Python, and C++ coding. Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

Students will build various "robots" throughout the year which satisfy different requirements and complete different tasks. Types of robots will include Vex robots and Microbit based robots.
They will explore coding through robotics and other projects including Unity game creation, websites, Code.org courses and other language-specific coding courses.
Students will use Microsoft visual studio code and other, online, IDEs.
Students should have taken Computers and Multimedia as a prerequisite in 7th grade.
 

Design, Engineer, and Create! Learn to solve problems in this hands-on class that explores many technologies: from modern tools like 3D-printers, electrical circuitry, robotics, and laser-cutters to traditional hand- and power-tools. Projects include solar-powered cars, electrical game design, home model design, woodworking, robots, and more! No experience necessary.

Open only to 8th graders who have already taken the full-year Maker Technology class in the 7th grade and must be able to work independently. Advanced students will learn professional tools and do advanced projects in robotics, 3D design, woodworking, CNC, coding, electronics, and product development. Advanced students apply their skills in service projects for the classroom and school community.

Garden teaches students how important growing plants and food is for our world. Students use a hands-on approach to care for a garden using tools to plant, weed and mulch. We will learn how to build irrigation, garden beds, and living walls. We will use plant food waste from lunch to compost and create nutrient rich soil and harvest food we grow and cook nutritious food. Students will work together to upkeep their own garden beds and choose ongoing projects to help the school environment stay beautiful and healthy. 

AVID is a class focused on providing students with experiences, opportunities, & skill building necessary to prepare them for college. Getting into college is difficult, & AVID helps that process! Students learn how to become stronger writers, strengthen their time management, learn about colleges, go on field trips, engage in teamwork, & build their leadership skills. The best part about AVID is that we are a family, & together we help each other reach our goals for the future!

Current Events will be an exploration of events that shape our modern world. Students will be asked to engage in research about these events through various forms of media and sharing what they learn through writing, Socratic Seminar, and Debate. Class members will also have a chance to join the debate team and compete in the Bay Area Urban Debate League tournaments against other schools in the Bay Area.

Geography is a social studies course that studies our world and the way groups of people live in it. This course will focus on each of the world's regions, and explore present-day issues around the environment, natural resources, and human migration through research-based projects.

Students start in 7th grade and complete two years to receive one year of high school language credit upon receiving a passing grade on the placement test. The courses emphasize speaking, reading, and understanding of the language and include reading, writing, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Cultural material is also presented. Prerequisite for Spanish 1B is a passing grade in Spanish 1A. Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

Through this course students will delve deeper into math topics and strengthen their mathematical practices in a fun and engaging way. Students will develop a deeper appreciation of math through projects, puzzles, simulated fantasy sports games, and Mathletes release problems. Also, all work is done in class so there is no homework!

In Creative Writing, students will explore and produce different types of writing such as short stories, poetry, memoir, script writing and journaling. Students will share and evaluate our own and each other's writing in our community of peers as well as  analyze published authors as models for improving and expanding our own creative writing skills.

This course is for students elected to the Davidson student body office or students interested in school leadership and student government. Students will develop the skills to plan and implement a variety of student-lead activities, such as assemblies, lunchtime activities, seasonal fun days, spirit weeks, and other events for the entire student body. Students will promote school spirit and have the opportunity to enhance their skills as a leader at their school and within their classroom communities. Students enrolled in this course may be asked to attend school early or stay after from time-to-time to support school activities.

Students who wish to be a main office aide deliver information to rooms on campus, answer phones and greet families. They may also help with different office tasks that free up adults to focus on other responsibilities. Office aides are representatives of the school and must maintain high academic standards and have excellent behavior and attendance.

In this semester class, students will learn basic ukulele and piano playing skills, and how to read basic music notation/sheet music. Students will learn how to play a wide variety of songs including music from movies and many different countries, including the United States, Mexico, and countries in Europe and the Caribbean.

This class provides students with the opportunity to study Spanish at an introductory level. The course will cover basic conversational skills, vocabulary building, geography, and cultural aspects of the Spanish speaking world.

In drama class, we’ll learn a little bit about all different kinds of theater — we’ll read plays, do improv, act out scenes, watch some great acting, and, of course, perform for an audience at the end of the course! Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

Design, Engineer, and Create! Held in the Davidson Maker Tech Lab, this course introduces students to low- and high-tech tools for design and making. From saws to laser cutters, drills to 3D printers, electricity and robotics, students will apply their creativity to maker-projects, using the wide variety of technologies in this amazing facility. Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

This is a foundation class for Visual Art. Students start learning about the fundamentals of drawing and design. This is a studio art class. Students are working at their own pace to learn about how to make art. Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

This project-based class will include block coding, beginner 3D design, video editing, photo editing, and digital music creation. Two sections offered in 2024-2025.

Team Building is a semester-long class focused on building a strong community. Through games, trust activities and group challenges, students will learn to take risks, accept challenges and solve problems. Students will learn to trust and support each other and our Davidson community.