On Jan. 6 principal Elaine Farace, administrators and teachers met with parents and prospective students to showcase the various multidimensional courses that the high school has to offer. And the options are diverse, ranging from advance placement courses in art to government and chemistry.

For art instructor Jef Wind, who teaches an advanced placement sculpture class, the emphasis is on challenging the students creatively, as well as intellectually. The high school is one of only a few in the district to offer advanced placement art classes in the area of painting, drawing and sculpture.

"Our visual and performing arts department makes kids think," he said. "We push creative problem solving. We offer high-level thinking throughout the arts."

This creativity can also be found in Jonathan Ulrich's classroom. The choir director aims to "fight the theory that music is a 'fun class' and only a 'fun class.'" He said his students enjoy themselves, but also learn. And musical instruction, he added, draws upon other areas of study as well, rounding out students' overall education.

But music isn't the only place where learning becomes multidimensional at the high school.

Jeanette Ekeruo said she also uses a multidisciplinary approach in her advanced placement macroeconomics and government classes. Her students use the Internet, television shows, newspapers and games to make subjects come to life.

The high school's social science department also has an unique approach to advanced placement studies. The department offers a United States history course for juniors as well as advanced placement world history for sophomores. According to instructor Evelyn Goldstein the sophomore class is usually a students' first introduction to an advanced placement course.

In addition to social science classes, the high school offers advanced placement biology and chemistry. And for students who enjoy experimenting with words rather than specimens they can challenge themselves in advanced placement Spanish or in advanced placement English courses. Two are offered, one in language the other in literature. According to instructor Scott Peterson, the courses aim to develop a student's individual voice as a writer. The classes also provide assistance in writing college application essays.

Beginning next year, students will have another way to take advanced placement classes. Willow Glen High School will be the only high school in the district to offer University of California College Prep, an online program that allows students to take any advanced placement course via the Internet.

Whether or not these teenagers elect to take honors and advanced placement courses, assistant principal James Lovelace said going to college is an expectation for all students at the high school. And they can get an intimate look into college academics through the high school's University Express program. Students will be able to can take San Jose City College classes at the high school, and earn college credit if they get As or Bs in the courses.

Senior Lauren Kurtz, said her time at Willow Glen High School has prepared her well for college. Kurtz earned a 5, the highest possible score, on her Advanced Placement United States history test.

"Willow Glen has incredible teachers," she said. "And the students are great. There are no cliques."

And, Lovelace said, the diversity of students that attend Willow Glen enriches students' learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.

"That's important," he said. "Our students are not sheltered from the world. They come from all walks of life. It's vibrant and exciting."