What does it mean to be a BCD student? BCD Students Are... Confident.
Helping students develop a sense of self or “sense of me” is at the heart of the BCD education.
“The teachers at BCD are truly exceptional people. I did not realize how unusual this was until I went to shadow at the high schools. Here, the teachers know you personally and the level of trust astounds me every day.”– BCD Middle School student
The general music program offers units in theatre and drama where characterization, costume, motivation, stage movement and directions and other theatrical concepts are included in the curriculum. Students participate in class assembly productions where they perform for the school and attending audience. These productions, complete with costumes, provide an opportunity for every student to develop stage awareness. Performances given by the K-2 and 3-5 Choirs often have a dramatic element by incorporating not only dance, but lines and plot.
Each year, The Middle School Drama Club offers a performance in which a drama or musical is performed. Those students involved learn about staging, direction, characterization, motivation, lighting, sound and all aspects of the theatre through hands-on experience in a larger production.
The art curriculum at BCD is multifaceted, encompassing production, art history, critiques, and aesthetics. Within this program, multi-cultural perspectives in art are explored, developing cultural awareness. Basic techniques are a cornerstone within this curriculum and are enhanced with structured, yet creatively free assignments. The exploration of different media creates the ability within students to judge and appreciate visual language in their everyday lives. In addition, collaborating and teaching cross-curricular projects promotes broad based and holistic student learning.
Art is anything made or created by man that moves us to see or feel beauty, creating a conscious presentation of ideas, concepts and skills that cause people to think, interact, respond and reflect. This concept of Homo Faber is taught throughout our Preschool, Elementary and Middle School art program.
The emphasis is placed on how and why we create, encourage each student to explore their creative mind.
In this program students learn to plan, investigate, understand, evaluate and critique themselves and others through their art. Basic art skills, terminology and history are incorporated in lesson plans, creating a holistic learning experience. Students will explore 2-D and 3-D fundamentals using a wide variety of different mediums; color theory, line, design and composition. Pre School through 5th graders receives one 45 minute art class per week. Middle School students receive a minimum of one trimester of art or pottery instruction in a school year.
Students experience, perform and enjoy music through active learning, participating and performing in school. An increasing understanding of musical concepts is promoted through each successive grade level with emphasis on melody, rhythm and harmony. Students learn the basic concepts of rhythm, notation, tempo and musical terminology and are exposed to music history through listening and learning about a variety of musical works and composers. At different ages, students receive instruction in percussion instruments, recorder, keyboard and Orff instruments. In addition, they learn how to think critically and review music and the performances they attend. Each choir (K-2, 3-5 and Middle School) presents two concerts during the year. Students are exposed to a wide variety of vocal music as well as the opportunity to share their talents with a large audience. Choir is a participation requirement for Elementary School students and is offered to the Middle School as an elective.