English Language Arts Courses

English 1 

Prerequisite: 8th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 1, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through the close reading of diverse texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from various cultures and time periods. They analyze authors’ techniques and rhetoric, exploring elements like allusion, universal themes, and irony. With guidance from educators, students work towards independently demonstrating proficiency in their writing and communication skills, crafting narratives, arguments, and informational texts tailored to different audiences. The course also covers various forms of media, including documentaries and podcasts, and encourages participation in academic discussions that respect diverse perspectives. By the end of the year, students will be adept at both written and oral communication, ready for college and career challenges.

English 1 Honors 

Prerequisite: 8th Grade English Language Arts Honors (ELA) 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 1 Honors,  students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through the close reading of diverse texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from various cultures and time periods. They analyze authors’ techniques and rhetoric, exploring elements like allusion, universal themes, and irony. With guidance from educators, students work towards independently demonstrating proficiency in their writing and communication skills, crafting narratives, arguments, and informational texts tailored to different audiences. The course also covers various forms of media, including documentaries and podcasts, and encourages participation in academic discussions that respect diverse perspectives. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more  in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity.  By the end of the year, students will be adept at both written and oral communication, ready for college and career challenges.

English 2  EOC

Prerequisite: English 1 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 2, students continue to refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through close reading of complex texts, analyzing both their structure and the techniques employed by authors. This year, students will focus on elements like surprise and sarcasm, as well as verbal irony, while engaging with a diverse array of literary genres, including historical fiction, poetry, and drama. They will also explore informational texts, particularly historical speeches and essays. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing skills by crafting narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, often integrating narrative techniques into other writing forms. With ongoing support from educators, students will gain independence in demonstrating proficiency, practicing various types of college and career-ready writing, such as cover letters and resumes. They will also engage in professional speaking and participate in academic discussions, valuing diverse perspectives and new ideas. The South Carolina End-of-Course exam will be given to all students. 

English 2 Honors  EOC

Prerequisite: English 1 Honors or English 1 w/ teacher rec. 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 2 Honors, students continue to refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through close reading of complex texts, analyzing both their structure and the techniques employed by authors. This year, students will focus on elements like surprise and sarcasm, as well as verbal irony, while engaging with a diverse array of literary genres, including historical fiction, poetry, and drama. They will also explore informational texts, particularly historical speeches and essays. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing skills by crafting narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, often integrating narrative techniques into other writing forms. With ongoing support from educators, students will gain independence in demonstrating proficiency, practicing various types of college and career-ready writing, such as cover letters and resumes. They will also engage in professional speaking and participate in academic discussions, valuing diverse perspectives and new ideas. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more  in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity. The South Carolina End-of-Course exam will be given to all students.

English 3 

Prerequisite: English 2 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 3, students refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a range of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from diverse cultures and time periods. They evaluate the effectiveness of authors' craft, focusing on reasoning, rhetoric, and the use of information in both literary and informational texts, with an introduction to satire. Throughout the year, students enhance their writing abilities by producing narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, preparing for college and career readiness through tasks like writing resumes, cover letters, and college application essays. They continue to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms and participate in professional speaking practice. With ongoing educator support, students work towards independent proficiency in their written and oral communication, as well as conducting research to address questions and explore college and career opportunities.

English 3 Honors 

Prerequisite: English 2 Honors or English 2 w/ teacher rec. 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 3, students refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a range of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from diverse cultures and time periods. They evaluate the effectiveness of authors' craft, focusing on reasoning, rhetoric, and the use of information in both literary and informational texts, with an introduction to satire. Throughout the year, students enhance their writing abilities by producing narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, preparing for college and career readiness through tasks like writing resumes, cover letters, and college application essays. They continue to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms and participate in professional speaking practice. With ongoing educator support, students work towards independent proficiency in their written and oral communication, as well as conducting research to address questions and explore college and career opportunities. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more  in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity. 

English 4 

Prerequisite: English 3 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 4, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a variety of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from different cultures and time periods. They analyze and critique the structure, tone, and techniques of both print and multimedia texts, refining their writing abilities to effectively communicate with diverse audiences. Throughout the year, students focus on advanced research skills, evaluating the credibility of sources and participating in discussions. They produce a range of written works, including narratives, arguments, resumes, cover letters, and college application essays, while continuing to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms. With ongoing educator support, students work towards achieving proficiency in overarching ELA standards, preparing them for college and career readiness through professional speaking practice and sustained research on topics such as college and career opportunities.

English 4 Honors 

Prerequisite: English 3 Honors, AP English Lang, or English 3 w/ teacher rec. 

Credit: 1 credit 

In English 4, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a variety of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from different cultures and time periods. They analyze and critique the structure, tone, and techniques of both print and multimedia texts, refining their writing abilities to effectively communicate with diverse audiences. Throughout the year, students focus on advanced research skills, evaluating the credibility of sources and participating in discussions. They produce a range of written works, including narratives, arguments, resumes, cover letters, and college application essays, while continuing to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms. With ongoing educator support, students work towards achieving proficiency in overarching ELA standards, preparing them for college and career readiness through professional speaking practice and sustained research on topics such as college and career opportunities. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more  in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity. 

AP English Language & Composition 

Prerequisite: English 2 Honors, English 2 w/ teacher rec. 

Credit: 1 English credit 

The AP English Language and Composition course follows the curriculum prescribed by the College Board. It is designed for juniors who have developed their writing skills and their awareness of style and rhetoric. The focus of study is non-fiction by various authors and essayists. In order to receive credit for the course, students must successfully complete a research paper/project. Students will take the corresponding AP Examinations in May. (yearlong course) 

NOTE: Taken in conjunction w/ AP Capstone Seminar 

AP Capstone Seminar 

Prerequisite: English 2 Honors or English 2 w/ teacher rec. 

Credit: 1 credit 

In AP Seminar, students investigate real –world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. 

NOTE: AP Capstone Seminar is currently taken in conjunction with AP English Language & composition in a yearlong format. 

AP Capstone Research 

Prerequisite: AP Capstone Seminar 

Credit: 1 honors  elective credit (fall) / 1 AP weighted elective credit (spring) 

In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work. 

AP English Literature 

Prerequisite: English 3 Honors, AP English Language & Composition, or English 3 w/ teacher rec. 

Credit: 1 elective credit (fall) / 1 English credit (spring) 

Advanced Placement English is designed to involve students in the study of composition and literature at the college level. Students must possess strong skills in analytical reading and written expression. Course content requires extensive reading outside of the course. Students will take the AP Examination in May. (2 semester course)