Music - IB Music is offered as a 2-year SL (standard level) course at NKCHS. Involving aspects of the composition, performance, and critical analysis of music, the course exposes students to forms, styles, and functions of music from a wide range of historical and socio-cultural contexts. Students create, experience, and reflect upon music from their own backgrounds and those of others. They develop practical and communicative skills which provide them with the opportunity to engage in music for further study, as well as for lifetime enjoyment.

SL 1 students are learning 4-part voice leading and harmonic progressing. Students in SL 2 Music are currently working on music for dramatic impact and movement, as well as their experimenting with music projects.

Theater - Students at Northtown can choose to enroll SL (standard level) or HL (higher level) IB Theater. The IB Theatre course is a multifaceted theatre-making course of study. It gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors, and performers. It emphasizes the importance of working both individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble. It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process, transforming ideas into action as inquisitive and productive artists.

Students experience the course from contrasting artistic perspectives. They learn to apply research and theory to inform and contextualize their work. The theatre course encourages students to appreciate that through the processes of researching, creating, preparing, presenting, and critically reflecting on theatre— as participants and audience members—they gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community, and the world.

Students in HL 2 Theater are finishing the rehearsal process for their One Acts. HL 1 students are entering week 2 of the Commedia dell’Arte unit.

Visual Arts - IB Visual Arts can be taken as a 1-year SL course or a 2-year HL course. The IB Visual Arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills and divergent thinking while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with, and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.

Students in Visual Arts HL 1 are working on preparations for a portrait project. They are investigating two portrait artists of their choice and will create a self-portrait in the style of one of the artists. Currently, SL and HL 2 students are beginning the brainstorming and research process for their next project of the year. Each student is investigating a different topic of interest in preparation for their upcoming Exhibition in the Spring.

ProStart is a program designed by the National Restaurant Association. It is a 2-year high school experience aimed at preparing students for immediate employment in the restaurant and food service industry. ProStart courses are packed with real-world experience brought straight to the classroom.

ProStart I (Year 1)

This first-year course focuses on advanced culinary food prep skills including food safety, kitchen safety, sanitation, knife skills, commercial kitchen tools and equipment within a commercial kitchen setting. Additionally, students learn to prepare meals from various menus. Food Lab experiences allow students to practice valuable skills such as reading and comprehending informational text; utilizing applied math skills; applying reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; demonstrate communication skills, leadership skills, and management skills. Students participate in a capstone competition project modeled after the popular TV show Cake Boss.

IB students in ProStart I are currently working on an advanced baking and cake decorating unit that will culminate in the aforementioned Cake Boss competition.

ProStart 2 (Year 2)

This second-year course is designed for students interested in foodservice and culinary-related careers. This course focuses on advanced culinary food prep skills and preparation for a career in the foodservice industry. Students continue to apply kitchen safety, food safety, sanitation, customer service, and restaurant management skills within a commercial kitchen setting. Students participate in at least 2 real-world culinary experiences outside the classroom, including catering opportunities. In addition, students run a classroom-based mock restaurant business that is open to the staff. The businesses will compete in a "Restaurant Rumble."

Both ProStart 1 and 2 provide opportunities for participation in student leadership and competitive culinary events through the FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) student organization.

ProStart 2 students are in the midst of doing labs for various menu categories while trying to wrap up the development of their restaurant so that they can open after break. In addition, ProStart 1 and 2 students are participating in a fundraiser, which involves planning and preparing pregame meals for all home games for the boys' and girls' basketball teams.