English

English 9 - Yr (ENG09Y) 

Prerequisite: None | Paired with: World Geography - Yr | Grade Level(s): 9 | Credits: 1   

This course is for students who have difficulty with basic communication skills, reading, and writing. The goals of the course are to meet the English requirements of these students in a setting that considers their level of ability and need for success and to improve their general reading and written language skills. Students who have failed middle school English SOLs and/or who have earned low grades in middle school Language Arts will usually be recommended to take English 9 - Yr. Students will complete a persuasive writing Performance Based Assessment in this course.

English 9 (ENG09) 

Prerequisite: None | Grade Level(s): 9 | Credits: 1    

English 9 develops students’ abilities in the areas of vocabulary, literature study, grammar and writing. Students learn English grammar and incorporate this knowledge into introductory writing assignments. Literature is examined as a medium for enjoyment as well as means to understand man and his world. Vocabulary is emphasized throughout the course. Students will complete a persuasive writing Performance Based Assessment in this course.

English 9A (ENG09A)

Prerequisite: None | Grade Level(s): 9 | Credits: 1   

English 9A is the first course for students who expect to complete advanced English classes in grades 10, 11, and 12. The pacing in this class is rigorous as students develop a greater understanding of literature, writing, and English grammar. Throughout the semester, the mastery of the literary genres, which include American and English authors, is taught. Students will complete a persuasive writing Performance Based Assessment in this course.

English 10B (ENG10B) 

Prerequisite: English 9 | Grade Level(s): 10 | Credits: 1   

English 10B is designed for students who have difficulty with basic communication skills, reading, and writing. The goals of the course are to meet the English requirements of these students in a setting that considers their level of ability and need for success and to improve their general reading and written language skills. Students who have earned low grades in English 9 or who need additional learning support  in English will usually be recommended to take English 10B. Students will complete an argumentative writing Performance Based Assessment in this course.

English 10 (ENG10)

Prerequisite: English 9 | Grade Level(s): 10 | Credits: 1    

English 10 is a course that stresses three related communication goals: to enable students to interpret critically, to compose coherently, and to edit correctly. The course covers essential elements, genres, and themes of literature. The course uses literary works as models for students’ writing, builds on previous knowledge of narrative and expository writing, teaches writing as a step-by-step process, and requires frequent writing practice. The fundamentals of sentence structure, sentence combining, and language mechanics are reviewed. Students will complete an argumentative writing Performance Based Assessment in this course.

English 10A (ENG10A) 

Prerequisite: English 9 | Grade Level(s): 10 | Credits: 1   

English 10A is an accelerated course requiring additional reading and writing and is intended for students pursuing the advanced studies diploma. This course stresses three related goals: to enable students to interpret critically, to compose coherently, and to edit correctly. It covers essential elements, genres, and themes of literature, and advanced vocabulary instruction is also an essential component. Additionally, the course introduces basic forms of narrative and expository writing, teaches writing as a process, and requires frequent writing practice. The fundamentals of sentence structure, sentence combining, standard punctuation, and language mechanics are reviewed in detail. An extended I-Search research paper and a book project are required assignments. Students will complete an argumentative writing Performance Based Assessment in this course.

English 11 - Yr (ENG11Y) 

Prerequisite: English 10 | Paired with: Virginia & US History - Yr | Grade Level(s): 11 | Credits: 1   

English 11 - Yr is designed for students who have difficulty with basic communication skills, reading, and writing. The goals of the course are to meet the English requirements of these students in a setting that considers their level of ability and need for success and to improve their general reading and written language skills, with a focus on American literature and literary analysis. Students who have earned low grades  in English 10 or who need additional learning support in English are usually recommended to take English 11 - Yr. Students will complete an analytical writing Performance Based Assessment and an End-of-Course Reading SOL test in this course.

English 11 (ENG11) 

Prerequisite: English 10 | Grade Level(s): 11 | Credits: 1   

English 11 emphasizes reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for students with proficient English skills. Students are exposed to a survey of American Literature, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama; a variety of active reading strategies; writing as a process (composing, revising, editing); and oral presentation strategies and opportunities. An emphasis is placed upon analytical writing and communication skills. Students will complete an analytical writing Performance Based Assessment and an End-of-Course Reading SOL test in this course.

English 11A (ENG11A) 

Prerequisite: English 10 | Grade Level(s): 11 | Credits: 1   

English 11A is an accelerated course that emphasizes reading, writing, and speaking to students with strong English skills and is intended for students pursuing the advanced studies diploma. Important course topics include literary analysis, American literary history, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and effective use of persuasion in speaking and writing. Students will complete an analytical writing Performance Based Assessment and an End-of-Course Reading SOL test in this course.

English 11AA (ENG11AA) 

Prerequisite: English 10 | Grade Level(s): 11 | Credits: 1   

English 11AA is a year-long accelerated American literature course which provides a strong foundation for future college-level work, including Dual Enrollment English 12A. The course emphasizes close reading of complete literary works and requires frequent written responses. As the course is fast-paced, it requires a significant level of motivation; adherence to deadlines; attention to details in reading, writing, and communication; and a strong work ethic in students. This course is typically taken concurrently with AP US History, DE US History, or Economics & Personal Finance in a year-long block. Students will complete an analytical writing Performance Based Assessment and an End-of-Course Reading SOL test in this course.

English 12 (ENG12)

Prerequisite: English 11 | Grade Level(s): 12 | Credits: 1    

English 12 emphasizes practical English skills for employment and daily life. Skills in reading, critical thinking, writing, and critical listening skills are developed. These skills are achieved through various writing assignments (such as a research paper and technical writing), reading assignments, oral presentations, and weekly vocabulary study. Students will complete a required, career-focused Capstone Project in this course.

English 12A (ENG12A)

Prerequisite: English 11 | Grade Level(s): 12 | Credits: 1   

English 12A stresses refinement of reading skills in selections read and discussed in class through Socratic Seminars. Critical thinking is encouraged through participation in class discussion and independent reading is required. Nonfiction reading is a focus in the course, along with the development of critical reading, thinking, and listening skills. Writing and research skills are honed and developed through reflective writing and a research paper. British literature is explored. Students will complete a required, career-focused Capstone Project in this course.

Dual Enrollment College Composition I & II (DEENG111 & DEENG112) 

Prerequisite: English 11 | Grade Level(s): 12 | Credits: 1   

 This college-level course through Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) fulfils the English 12 graduation requirement. The first component, College Composition I (English 111), introduces students to critical thinking and the fundamentals of academic writing. Through the writing process, students refine topics; develop and support ideas; investigate, evaluate, and incorporate appropriate resources; edit for effective style and usage; and determine appropriate approaches for a variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes. Writing activities include exposition and argumentation. The second component, College Composition II (English 112), continues to develop writing with increased emphasis on research (with at least one research essay), argumentation, and literary analysis.  The course requires students to develop these competencies through the examination of texts about the human experience; to locate, evaluate, integrate, and document sources; and to effectively edit for style and usage. This course is offered for dual enrollment credit through Blue Ridge Community College (ENG 111, ENG 112). 

Creative Writing (ENG104) 

Prerequisite: None | Grade Level(s): 9-12 | Credits: 1  

This course provides opportunities for students to expand creative writing skills by studying and writing poetry, plays, short stories, and other creative formats. Students also examine professionally published works. 

Developmental Reading (ENG067)

Prerequisite: None | Grade Level(s): 9 | Credits: 1  

This course is designed to prepare students for the rigors of secondary educational reading requirements by demonstrating and practicing literacy skills using both fiction & nonfiction texts. This class is paired with students’ ninth grade English classes to create lifelong readers and learners.

Speech (ENG151) 

Prerequisite: None | Grade Level(s): 9-12 | Credits: 1   

Speech focuses on the study of oral communication, including the study of voice variety and body movement. The students practice and perform oral interpretations, participate in debates, and give speeches to inform, persuade, and entertain. 

Theatre/Intro to Theatre I (ARTTH1) - Potential New Course in 2025-2026

Prerequisite: None | Grade Level(s): 9-12 | Credits: 1   

In Theatre I, students will survey the history of drama from the Greek theatre to the 18th Century. Students will be introduced to basic acting techniques, and basic design and production concepts. They will begin to interpret texts for multiple meanings and historical implications for technical theatre. Students will also analyze theatre for the use of integrated art forms. Theatre Arts I is based on the Proficient Standards of the National Standards for Theatre Education as developed by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and the Educational Theatre Association.

Theatre III - Acting & Playwriting (ARTTH3) - Potential New Course in 2025-2026

Prerequisite: Theatre I or Musical Theater | Grade Level(s): 10-12 | Credits: 1   

Theatre III will reemphasize skills learned in Theatre II. Special emphasis will be placed on playwriting. Students will study the elements of playwriting and develop their own scripts. They will analyze famous plays and their own scripts to design, produce, and direct informal and formal productions. They will continue to expand their acting techniques by developing characters in these productions. They will also compare and integrate into these productions art forms such as dance, music, visual arts, and new art forms. Finally, they will research and analyze the roles of the theatre, film, television, and electronic media.

Yearbook (COM104) 

Prerequisite None | Grade Level(s): 10-12 | Credits: 1   

 Yearbook students are responsible for the production of the school yearbook. The course includes instruction and practice in the following areas: photography (composition and technique), page layout design, copy writing, theme development, picture taking, caption writing, and deadline writing. The balance of this course is spent on learning technique and writing, and on production.