A place to grow as an artist and make cool stuff

  • 9th Grade

    Electives:
    Intro to Media Arts (MAT105): Students will get an introduction to a variety of media arts such as graphic design, photography, and films.
    Social Media / Web Design (MAT149): Students create blogs, websites, and learn about the cultural impact of social media and the internet.

    Academics:
    MAD English 9 (Honors or College Prep)

  • 10th Grade

    Electives:
    Digital Drawing (MAT112): Students create vector art such as posters, logos, and magazine covers using Adobe Illustrator.
    Digital Imaging (MAT131): Students will create graphic design projects using Adobe Photoshop.

    Academics:
    MAD English 10 (Honors or College Prep)
    MAD World History (AP or College Prep)
    MAD Chemistry (Honors or College Prep)

  • 11th Grade

    Electives:
    Non-linear Editing (FP114): Students begin their journey in film making with a focus on editing. Students create a variety of short film projects including a music video.

    Film Production (FP175): Students learn to plan, write, and produce a narrative short film.

    Academics:
    MAD English 11 or (AP ELA or CP)
    MAD US History (AP or College Prep)
    MAD Environmental Science AP
    or MAD Marine Biology (College Prep)

  • 12th Grade

    Electives:

    Photography (PHOT109): Students get hands-on experience with DSLR cameras, lighting, and begin creating a portfolio of photography work.

    Photojournalism (PHOT209): Students learn advanced Photography techniques.


    Adv. Film Production (FP276): Students learn advanced Film Production techniques.

    Academics:
    POLS 101 / MAD Economics

CPA and CTE Requirements

CPA: MAD is a CPA (California Partnership Academy). Our CPA grant requires that all MAD students take the above MAD-coded classes taught by MAD faculty. Non-compliance with this policy can result in a loss of funding for our program. For this reason, we require our students to take the above courses. Students who choose not to comply with California Partnership Academy requirements are subject to being dropped from our academy.

Cohorted classes create more opportunity for community building within a smaller group of students. But at times, it places limits on scheduling flexibility for students. This is something to consider when deciding to enroll in a CPA .

CTE: MAD is also a CTE (California Technical Education) program. MAD students are considered CTE program completers if they earn a “C” or better in:

  • 1 intro level MAD elective

  • 1 concentrator level MAD elective.

  • 1 Completer level MAD elective.

CTE completers will be reported to the state as such, and receive a “CTE completer” chord at graduation. Students who do not meet CTE completer requirements are permitted to stay in the program, but will not be reported as CTE completers.

Meet the Team

“I love accessing all the professional gear and being able to check it out and use it to make my own creative projects” - Jamie S., Student

Students in the MAD Academy learn in state of the art facilities designed by media professionals to accommodate film and photography shoots as well as digital art creation. The MAD Academy has two computer labs equipped with Adobe Creative Suite, a 2,000 square foot film studio with a green screen, and a 600 square foot photography studio with a white seamless backdrop. Students in our program are given free access to industry level camera, lighting, sound, and grip equipment. Our goal is to provide our students free and equal access to industry level tools that prepare them to step right into media arts colleges and careers.