La Canada Unified board hears VAPTA needs assessment; approves two new AP art courses

The La Canada Unified School District governing board on a May meeting reviewed a needs-based assessment for visual, applied and technical arts and approved two new Advanced Placement courses — AP Drawing and AP 3‑D Art and Design — for La Cañada High School.

The presentation, led by VAPTA coordinators Bridal Varrick and Elizabeth Dallas, summarized a year-long review of enrollment, course offerings, facilities and comparable high-performing arts programs. Varrick described the work as grounded in observation, research and interviews with teachers, administrators, students and parents and said the district should treat art education "not as an enrichment, but as an essential tool for helping students understand themselves and others."

The assessment team recommended clearer pathways so students could build skills through introductory, concentration and capstone coursework; it proposed a remodel of existing course offerings rather than an immediate net increase in the total number of art classes. The presenters said they will submit a digital needs-assessment spreadsheet to the board and administrators with curriculum outlines and suggested implementations.

Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Jen Niebuhr described how the new AP courses expand students' portfolio options. "So it's really increasing this class to open it up for students based on what their interest is," she said, referring to the drawing and 3‑D options and how students would select a portfolio focus under the College Board framework.

The board voted to approve AP Drawing and AP 3‑D Art and Design on first reading. District staff said students currently enrolled in AP 2‑D or independent project sections would be able to select a portfolio focus (drawing, 2‑D design or 3‑D) and that College Board portfolio submission rules allow students to change submitted portfolio types through March of the AP year.

Superintendent Toby Cardinal and VAPTA staff said a Foundations in Art and Design course — intended as a redesigned introductory high school art 1 and presented as the district's proposed starter course for VAPTA pathways — will return to the board on June 3. Cardinal told the board he expects the district to pursue alignment with University of California “a‑g” requirements once course outlines are finalized.

Supporters and board members said the changes create clearer progression for students and could support dual‑enrollment or CTE partnerships in the future. District staff emphasized that the expansion is a curricular redesign that seeks to maintain existing capacity while offering clearer concentrations and pathways.

Board action and next steps

The board approved both AP course proposals on first reading. Staff will bring the Foundations in Art and Design course to the June meeting and continue work on enrollment projections, staffing and UC a‑g approval. Teachers and administrators will continue to refine course outlines, pathway maps and facility plans.