In Middle School, all students in grades 6 and 7 participate in the Fine Arts Rotation, which includes 1 term each of Art, Ceramics, Dance, Music and Theatre. In grade 8, students may repeat one discipline for the entire year. Middle School students may also take private lessons in Art. To learn more, visit the Private Lessons page.

The Upper School Visual Arts program provides students with a full scope and sequence of classes through the full-credit Visual Studies classes, as well as half-credit classes in specialized disciplines. The St. Stephen’s schedule allows students to take multiple arts classes, which helps them expand their artistic vocabulary in various ways. 

Full Credit Art Courses

• Advanced Art History 
• Visual Studies I (Fundamentals  of  Drawing, Painting, Design) 
• Visual Studies II (More advanced work in fundamental skills, some independent project wo
• Visual Studies III (Project-based class, portfolio building)
• Advanced Visual Studies (Project-based class)
• Independent Projects  (Senior proposal)

Half-credit Art Courses

• Ceramics (Beginning and advanced) 
• Photography (Beginning and Advanced Techniques) 
• Digital Imaging (Learn Photoshop and how to create digital art
• Graphic Design (Learn design elements and how to fuse textual and visual elements)
• Studio Art (Painting, drawing, 3D and more, meeting every other day) 
• Yearbook Design 
• Yearbook Photography 

• Scholastic Arts competition and exhibition
• VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) 
• Additional competitions
• Field trips, guest artists, demonstrations and workshops
• Exhibition and Curatorial opportunities in the Scanlan Gallery
• Optional travel (this summer art students tour Italy and France) 

Scanlan Gallery: This elegant gallery in the Helm Fine Arts Center serves as a venue for professional and student work. Professional exhibitions bring visiting artists, gallery talks, master classes and workshops to campus. To learn more, visit the Scanlan Gallery page.