Rochelle SOTA

students while involving parents in the learning process. Rochelle’s unique scheduling program allows students to spend 4.5 hours per day in academic classes. In middle school, advanced classes are offered in language arts, math, and science. Students in eighth grade have the opportunity to take Spanish and/or Algebra I honors for high school credit. Students spend approximately 1.5 hours per day participating in art classes: dance, drama, music, and visual arts. Students participate in local, state, and national performance and exhibition opportunities which allow them to showcase their talents. Dance

The dance department at Rochelle offers professional training in ballet, modern, jazz, character, and Pointe techniques. Classes are organized by grade for elementary majors; classes are divided into two proficiency levels for middle school majors. Our faculty is committed to providing a professional level of training for all of our students whether they intend to pursue dance as a career or not. This includes technical training, viewing, critique, and exploration of related elements such as vocabulary, nutrition, and anatomy. Dance majors are provided with an opportunity to perform at least twice a year and are often asked to participate in community events. Drama

Drama is a “process” based study of the art of theatre. It is a branch of the performing arts concerned with acting out stories in front of an audience using the combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound, and spectacle. During drama classes, students learn about emotions, problem solving, character development, script analysis, movement, voice, speech, and more. Our drama students regularly perform for the community. Drama students consistently earn superior and excellent ratings at yearly competitions. Music

Students’ lives can be enriched by the enjoyment and meaning that the unique qualities of music can present to them. Critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques developed from learning music can transfer to a variety of life experiences. Self discipline, creativity, and inventiveness fostered through music benefits not only students, but society. At Rochelle, music students participate in organized musical activities; they learn cooperation and awareness of their role in their community and their society. This awareness leads students to appreciate not only their culture, but also the culture of others in their world. The music department offers classes in chorus, strings, recorder, keyboard, band, orchestra, and hand bells. Students perform in a variety of school presentations during the school year. Show Choir, Swinging Strings, and Jazz Band, our art ambassadors, represent our school in the community at many different performances. All of our musical groups consistently earn superior ratings in competitions at district and state competitions. Visual Arts

The visual arts program creates a learning environment in which all students can give full rein to their artistic abilities. Our studio-based curriculum offers each student the time and personalized attention needed to gain essential skills in two dimensional media: drawing, painting, print making, ceramics, photography, film making, and computer graphics. In addition, the visual arts program participates in the College Board’s vertical teaming efforts in order to prepare students for studio art advanced placement course in high school.