English 8

8th Grade

• This year-long course provides students with an intensive study of English grammar, usage, and mechanics in order to aid in their development of sophisticated, grammatically correct sentences of varying complexity and syntax. Students will strengthen writing skills with a focus on advanced paragraph development in various modes of writing. In addition, students will read short stories and novels throughout the year to improve reading fluency and comprehension and will engage in targeted vocabulary study.

English I

8th-9th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This course provides students with a rigorous study of English grammar, usage, and mechanics in order to aid in their development of complex, grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs, and multi-paragraph essays. Also, students will learn to incorporate elements of style, as well as acquire and effectively use new vocabulary. In addition, students will read and analyze  informational texts as well as classic literature, including novels, short stories, and poetry, paying particular attention to literary devices and their effect on the works as a whole. Finally, students will also be introduced to elements of research, focusing on MLA guidelines.

English I Honors

8th-9th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This honors-level course provides students with a rigorous study of English grammar, usage, and mechanics in order to aid in their development of complex, grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs, and multi-paragraph essays. Also, students will learn to incorporate elements of style, as well as acquire and effectively use new vocabulary.  In addition, students will read and analyze challenging texts, including informational texts, as well as classic literature, including novels, short stories, and poetry, paying particular attention to literary devices and their effect on the works as a whole. Finally, students will also be introduced to elements of research, focusing on MLA guidelines. Since this is an honors course, the class will generally cover the same material as the academic level class; however, honors students will explore the material in more depth and have more rigorous assignments. 

English II

9th-10th Grade

Credit: 0.5 or 1.0

• This survey course in world literature explores various literary and informational texts and stresses the use of grammar, mechanics, and language to produce coherent paragraphs and essays. Students will study literature in the form of mythology, ancient Greek drama, Shakespearean plays, and a modern novel of non-fiction, as well as short stories and poetry. Student will pay particular attention to literary devices utilized by authors in order to examine how those devices contribute to the overall significance and meaning of the work. Students will produce various types of writing, including informative, analytical, and argumentative. Students will also study vocabulary and continue preparing for the ACT.

English II Honors

9th-10th Grade

Credit: 1.0 

• This survey course in world literature explores various literary and informational texts and stresses the use of grammar, mechanics, and language to produce coherent paragraphs and essays. Students will study literature in the form of mythology, ancient Greek drama, Shakespearean plays, and a modern novel of non-fiction, as well as short stories and poetry. Student will pay particular attention to literary devices utilized by authors in order to examine how those devices contribute to the overall significance and meaning of the work. Students will produce various types of writing, including informative, analytical, and argumentative. Students will also study vocabulary and continue preparing for the ACT.  Since this is an honors course, the class will generally cover the same topics as the academic level class; however, honors students will explore the material in more depth and have more rigorous assignments. 

English III

10th – 11th Grade

Credit:  1.0

• This survey course in American literature explores the writings of Americans from its original owners, the Indigenous peoples of North America, all the way through to the voices of modern-day Americans. Students will pay particular attention to literary devices utilized by authors in order to examine how those devices contribute to the overall significance and meaning of the work. Students will explore the wide-ranging spectrum of identities which color the American canvas as they search for an answer to the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”  In addition to prose, students will study literary and poetic conventions, research skills and writing, and ACT prep.

English III Honors

10th – 11th Grade

Credit:  1.0

• This survey course in American literature explores the writings of Americans from its original owners, the Indigenous peoples of North America, all the way through to the voices of modern-day Americans. Students will pay particular attention to literary devices utilized by authors in order to examine how those devices contribute to the overall significance and meaning of the work. Students will explore the wide-ranging spectrum of identities which color the American canvas as they search for an answer to the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”  In addition to prose, students will study literary and poetic conventions, research skills and writing, and ACT prep. Since this is an honors course, the class will generally cover the same topics as the academic level class; however, honors students will explore the material in more depth and have more rigorous assignments.

English IV

11th-12th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This survey course in British literature stresses the importance of close reading to form an analytical argument. Readings will include prose, poetry, and nonfiction ranging from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Modernist period. Students will pay particular attention to literary devices utilized by authors in order to examine how those devices contribute to the overall significance and meaning of the work. Writing will explore such forms as research, synthesis, and literary analysis.

English IV Honors

11th-12th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This survey course in British literature stresses the importance of close reading to form an analytical argument. Readings will include prose, poetry, and nonfiction ranging from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Modernist period. Students will pay particular attention to literary devices utilized by authors in order to examine how those devices contribute to the overall significance and meaning of the work. Writing will explore such forms as research, synthesis, and literary analysis. Since this is an honors course, the class will generally cover the same topics as the academic level class; however, honors students will explore the material in more depth and have more rigorous assignments.

English IV AP English Language and Composition 

11th-12th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• "The AP English Language and Composition class focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. In this class, students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text—from a range of disciplines and historical periods.” (Updated Course and Exam Description, College Board, 2019).  Students are placed in this course based on previous grades, test scores, and teacher recommendations. 

English V

12th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This course focuses on twentieth and twenty-first century fiction and non-fiction. Students will examine the literary devices utilized by both British and American authors and analyze how those devices contribute to the overall significance of the work. Writing will explore such forms as personal narrative, literary analysis, research, and speech writing.

English V Honors

12th Grade

Credit: 1.0 

• This course focuses on twentieth and twenty-first century fiction and non-fiction. Students will examine the literary devices utilized by both British and American authors and analyze how those devices contribute to the overall significance of the work. Writing will explore such forms as personal narrative, literary analysis, research, and speech writing. Since this is an honors course, the class will generally cover the same topics as the academic level class; however, honors students will explore the material in more depth and have more rigorous assignments. 

English V Honors

12th Grade

Credit: 1.0 

• “The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.” (Updated Course and Exam Description, College Board, 2019). Students are placed in this course based on previous grades, test scores, and teacher recommendations.

Test Prep

11th Grade 

Credit: 0.5

• This semester course is designed to help students improve their performance on the ACT through the application of test-taking strategies and targeted practice of the content skills assessed on the ACT. This course, which utilizes multiple components of the Mastery Prep ACT College Readiness System, will track student progress from pre-test to post-test and incorporate personalized learning opportunities based on student performance data.

Creative Writing

10th-12th Grade

Credit: 0.5

• This course allows students the opportunity to develop individual and innovative writing styles. Emphasis is placed on short stories, poetry, personal essays, advertisements, reviews, and formal business writing as proper mechanics and techniques are reviewed. 

Publications I Yearbook

9th-12th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This course provides students with the instruction and tools to publish a yearbook, with an emphasis on theme development, layout, design, copy writing, and photography. The students will form the staff of the school yearbook and will assist the school’s communications director.

Publications II Yearbook

10th-12th Grade

Credit: 1.0

• This course provides students with an advanced experience of yearbook production. Building on skills learned in Publications I Yearbook, these students will form the editorial staff of the school yearbook and will assist the school’s communications director. Successful completion of Publications I Yearbook is required prior to taking this course.