Grade Level: 9 

Credit: 0.5 

This first-semester course, in which all students must enroll, will begin with a focus on students’ summer reading. The curriculum will then resemble a writing seminar format as students practice the necessary skills for success in all of their high school classes. Students will write in both formal and informal settings in various modes–expository, narrative, argumentative, and descriptive–while working through the process of brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, conferencing, revising, and publishing. Mentor texts will be provided throughout the semester as students model their own writing on quality short stories, essays, and more. Students will also learn and apply research and citation skills. While they will continue to select and read books independently, the main focus overall for this course will be the growth of writing skills as opposed to an in-depth analysis of literature. 

Grade Level: 9

Credit: 0.5

This second-semester course will introduce students to multiple genres and formats of storytelling (e.g. graphic novels, plays, novels in-verse, short stories, poetry, film, and young adult novels). Students will learn various literary terms that they will apply to their close reading and analysis of text. Students will also continue to develop their writing skills from first semester, particularly with crafting thesis statements and incorporating textual evidence from the works they are reading. 

Credit Status: Requirement; OPU/NCAA approved 

Grade Level: 9

Credit: 0.5

This second-semester course will introduce students to multiple genres and formats of storytelling (e.g. graphic novels, plays, novels in-verse, short stories, poetry, film, and young adult novels). Students will learn various literary terms that they will apply to their close reading and analysis of text. Students will also continue to develop their writing skills from the first semester, particularly with crafting thesis statements and incorporating textual evidence from the works they are reading. 

Credit Status: Requirement; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: Interview process within English I: Writing Seminar 

Grade Level: 10 

Credit: 1.0 

This literature-based course is designed for students who can read and write at the sophomore level. Students may read short stories, Greek drama, Shakespeare, and poetry in addition to a selection of novels and graphic novels. Special emphasis is placed on the writing of essays of various types, especially the writing of analytical essays in preparation for thesis writing. Vocabulary, grammar, and other writing exercises will be interspersed throughout the year. 

Credit Status: Requirement; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: English 

Grade Level: 10 

Credit: 1.0 

This course is designed for the advanced student. This class provides enrichment through the study of literature and literary genre. The writing instruction places special emphasis on critical thinking through analysis papers, journals, and essay exams. Students are expected to read about one-third more than the regular English II class and to write extensively. 

Credit Status: Selective; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: Honors English I or student application, essay, and English department placement 

Grade Level: 11 

Credit: 1.0 

With a focus on American literature, English III is a course that develops students’ ability to think and communicate. Through reading, discussion, and writing, students will learn to more skillfully extract ideas from literature, to develop their own responses, and to write in a clear and logical manner. 

Credit Status: Requirement; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: English II 

Grade Level: 12

Credit: 1.0

This is a full-year study of classic and contemporary literature. Students will deepen their appreciation of literary elements and expand their awareness of the cultural themes raised by specific texts. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of analytical and writing skills transferable to other disciplines. Activities will include reading, writing, oral presentations, group discussions, tests, quizzes, creative projects, and critical thinking. 

Credit Status: Requirement; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: English III Dual Credit Option: 4 PCC Credits (WR 121) 

Grade Level: 11 

Credit: 1.0 

AP English Language provides a place to develop critical thinking through the study of literature, non-fiction, writing, critical analysis, grammar, and vocabulary for the advanced student. Students read rigorous texts from various eras and genres, with a focus on American Literature, and analyze the big ideas of the rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. There is an emphasis on collegiate-level research in the spring semester to produce an 8-10 page research paper. Students will also prepare throughout the school year for the AP Language and Composition Test in May. Students enrolled in this course are choosing to challenge themselves, be held to higher standards, and develop skills appropriate for an introductory college-level course. 

Credit Status: Selective; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: Honors English II or student application, essay, and English department placement 

Grade Level: 12

Credit: 1.0 

This advanced course provides students with the opportunity to study a variety of types of literature in depth, as well as to develop their writing skills as they analyze a variety of major literary works. Students taking this class will also prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam by working on practice questions. 

Credit Status: Selective; OPU/NCAA approved 

Prerequisite: Honors English III or student application, essay, and English department placement 

Dual Credit Option: 8 PCC Credits (ENG 104 and ENG 106) 

Grade Level: 9-12 

Credit: 0.5 

Experience in public speaking is an invaluable asset to any college bound student. This class offers in-depth instruction in public speaking that will teach students how to deliver speeches for a variety of purposes. It will help students develop logical thinking and organizational skills, establish correct and effective voice habits, develop respect for listening as a medium of learning, and help to eliminate fear of a speech situation. Students will develop skills in writing speeches for a variety of purposes: informative, persuasive, entertainment, special occasions, group communication, readers’ theatre, and debate. 

Credit Status: Elective; OPU/NCAA approved 

Grade Level: 10-12 

Credit: 0.5 

Creative Writing is a semester elective designed to immerse students into reading and writing fiction and poetry. Students will look at how the craft of writing brings instinct and critical understanding into creative equilibrium. Emphasis will be on the craft of composing short fiction and poetry. Students will study established writers for technique, structure, and style, and write their own sketches, stories, and poetry for class discussion, homework, workshops, and a final project. 

Credit Status: Elective; OPU/NCAA approved 

Grade Level: 9-12 

Credit: 0.5/1.0 

This is a year-long writing and production class that encompasses aspects of online print and newspaper journalism. The purpose of the class is to expose students to the fundamentals of sound journalistic and social media practices. Students will write editorials, features, news, and sports articles that will be featured in The Stark Street Journal, our online and print student newspaper. In addition to writing, students may choose to learn other storytelling modes such as photography, broadcast and podcast. Students will become familiar with Adobe InDesign, and instruction in other Adobe software applications such as Photoshop, Lightroom Classic and Premiere Pro will be available as desired. Students who prefer a semester-long course in journalism, should sign up for the Intro to Media Production course. 

Credit Status: Elective; NCAA approved Exception. This course may be repeated multiple times for credit 

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 0.5/1.0

This course presents the fundamentals of yearbook production and publication including layout design, copywriting, business management, photography, thematic design, and interview skills. Students will work to master these fundamentals with opportunities to specialize as interests develop. Students should expect to spend additional time working outside class before deadlines. Because of the yearbook deadline schedule, this class is yearlong. Students who only want to take a semester-long course should sign up for Intro to Media Production. 

Credit Status: Elective Exception: This course may be repeated multiple times for credit