Exploratory Courses

The Swift School’s Visual Arts Program develops self-confidence, brings out creativity, and promotes higher-level thinking in all of our students.

Lower Division

In the Lower Division, students are exposed to a wide array of studio arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, weaving and printmaking. They learn about various artists and periods of art history, as well as other cultures. Cross-curricular projects are created in each grade to provide a link between the arts and the academic classroom. 

Middle School

In Middle Division, students continue to build upon their artistic knowledge. Two-dimensional and 3-dimensional art are produced. More time is provided for creating, and more elaborate pieces emerge.

Presentation

You will find students' works of art throughout our campus. An art show/sale during the school year showcases the students' favorite projects.

"There are not enough walls in our school to display the amount of amazing artistic creations produced within." - Lynn Kaplin

 

Ms. Maria Menendez teaches Spanish to Middle Division students in fifth through eighth grade.

In a typical foreign language class at Swift, students learn and practice the language through songs, games, crafts, partner discussions, role playing activities, movies, and traditional classroom instruction.  

Many students will be required to take a foreign language in high school, and Swift's Spanish class allows students to receive exposure to another language. Students will gain a foundation and confidence in their abilities to learn any foreign language in their future. Students will also gain an understanding of how languages are taught and learned. As pupils explore the language and culture of another country, they will broaden their world perspective and gain a better understanding of language and culture differences.

Mr. Lucas Tarrant's class incorporates not only music but a movement aspect as well. Mr. Tarrant, a third-year Swift School teacher and classically trained Opera singer, engages students through music and movement to keep class engaging and fun while ensuring that students learn. 

“Music is important to me, so I knew how pivotal it was that we had not only music but also the movement aspect," Mr. Tarrant said. "The movement goes hand-in-hand with music instruction and is vital for dyslexic learners." 

In Music & Movement, Mr. Tarrant builds up students' knowledge of music, instruments, and voice. Students also learn how to read notes. The lessons are not traditional where students continually sit and take notes. Additionally, Mr. Tarrant teaches a chorus club that is offered as an after-school option periodically throughout the school year. 

Philosophy

The Swift School Physical Education program is modeled to develop physically educated students with emphasis on regular participation and the practice of good sportsmanship skills.

The program offers an environment and activities for students to increase skill development individually (one on one) and within groups that are physically wholesome, mentally stimulating, and socially sound.

For our team sports participation (Middle Division students only), we have a no-cut policy meaning any student who has a desire to play on a team is allowed to do so and encouraged to fully engage in all team activities.

With these priorities in mind we hope to instill a student’s motivation to participate in physical activities for their lifetime fitness and social benefits.

Goals

The goals of Swift’s Physical Education Program will be based on the National Association for Sports and Physical Education Standards. The goals have been divided into seven areas that the association feels that are necessary for a quality physical education program.

• Motor Skills

• Learning Concepts

• Active Lifestyles Outside of the Classroom

• Physical Fitness

• Personal and Social Skills

• Diversity

• Values Exercise

Frequency

Lower Division – grades 1-4

Two 55-minute PE sessions per week

Middle Division – grades 5-8

Varies depending on student schedule. Minimum one one-hour session per week. Maximum of three one-hour sessions per week.

STEAM debuted as a pilot exploratory course for grades 1-4 in 2021-23 and expanded to a full-time exploratory course for grades 1-6 in 2022-23. A exciting blend of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, STEAN is a natural fit at Swift. Students eagerly anticipate STEAM activities, which are embedded in the classroom and done via grade-level STEAM events under the direction of Mr. Ken Cressman! 

Through STEAM activities, Swift students employ the Engineering Design Cycle: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve. This iterative process steers away from a single “right answer” and acknowledges creative possibilities.