Armstrong High School offers many English electives and opportunities, and in recent years, those choices have only expanded. This year, two English elective courses are now being offered as College in the High School (CHS) classes where students can pay to earn credit from a college or university with no additional assignments. 

Literary Studies and Advanced Public Speaking now offer three optional college credits from Mount Aloysius College and Westmoreland County Community College respectively. Mrs. Landstrom teaches Literary Studies I and II (Classic and Contemporary), and Mr. Dunmire teaches Advanced Public Speaking.

Both courses have been offered in previous years, but now, the option for college credit is offered. 

Students who take Creative Writing I and II, taught by Mrs. Kidder,  also have the option to earn college credit through Seton Hill University. That option has been offered for several years now. 

Creative Writing II is also being offered as an ASD Cyber Academy course for the first time in history this year. Students who take Creative Writing online are still eligible for college credit. 

Other electives offered by the English department include Media Literacy, Intro to TV/Video, TV Broadcasting & Video Production, and Film Studies & Film-making, taught by Mr. Swanson. 

Creative Writing I and Creative Writing II focus on the ability to write, develop a story, character, setting, and general writing techniques. The Literary Studies classes focus on analyzing authors, genres, cultures, and other subjects pertaining to literature. 

Media Literacy and the TV Production classes focus on analyzing film, television, and other media.  These elective classes allow students to express their creativity through visual media, such as music videos, advertisements, and public service announcements. They also produce the Best of the Nest, which are news packages broadcasted to live television.  

Advanced Public Speaking offers an extension of the required Public Speaking class.  In Advanced Public Speaking, students focus on the art of communication and listening skills. 

The school also offers English-related extracurricular activities and clubs, including The Hawks’ View, The Finer Things Book Club, Photography Club, Debate Club, Cinema Club, and the Youngstown State University English Festival.

For more information on English department electives, visit the course description book or visit the guidance office with any questions. Mrs. Kidder, the Newspaper Advisor and English Department Chair, can also provide information on any of the classes and opportunities mentioned.