Our Level System
Arts Atelier 146 is a highly skilled based institution that trains students to become industry professionals. We are a School for Creative Exploration while building the students foundations both artistically and spiritually.
Instead of using traditional letter grades which reflect a grade point average, we use a level system. This is so students can focus on developing their skills instead of aiming for the minimum passing letter grade. For instance, a failing grade is traditionally 59% or less. However, at Arts Atelier 146, it just means you’re starting your artistic journey somewhere between the Novice and Intermediate Levels. The five scale levels below will provide the student a more realistic indication of where their knowledge and skill sets compare to industry standards.
Grading Scale
Professional Level (100 – 81) Skills demonstrate industry standard in all aspects of technical execution and craft with strong use of advanced techniques.
Advanced Level (80 – 61) The work shows strong comprehension of technical and artistic skills with some use of advanced techniques. Demonstrates industry standard quality overall.
Intermediate Level (60 – 41) Some skills are developing, but foundational skills and application of design principles need more practice.
Amateur Level (40 – 21) The work needs some improvement in basic foundational and design skills.
Novice Level (20 – 0) The work needs significant improvement in basic foundational skills and the design may not be cohesive.
Best Practices to Improve Your Level
Skills are not easy to develop and will not develop after watching a few videos. Students must put in their mileage to see progress in their work. In other words: practice, practice, practice. The student must put plenty of time and energy into targeting their weakest areas and learning to play toward their strengths. In our experience, students who improve the quickest listen carefully to critiques and practice both inside and outside of class.
The student will have the option to enroll into one of our future Diploma Programs or take courses of their choice so they can strengthen specific skills. Each student will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of each course stating their current skill level.
Awarded Certificates
Each student will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of each course stating their current skill level as mentioned above. The student will have the option to enroll into one of our future Diploma Programs or take courses of their choice so they can strengthen specific skills.
A Diploma is awarded to students who complete all courses within a Program Area at an Advanced or Professional Level. This means that any course completed at an Intermediate Level or below will not count toward a Diploma. Students working toward a Diploma will be required to retake courses that were completed below an Advanced Level. The student must strive for excellence and not for the Diploma.
