Prerequisites: English 8 or Honors English 8 & meets Honors Criteria

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the ninth grade English I course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment. Honors students cover material in more depth.  They are expected to discuss material and produce written work with a higher degree of sophistication than English I students.

Prerequisites: English 8 or Honors English 8 

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the ninth grade English I course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment. 

Prerequisites: English I or Honors English I & meets Honors Criteria

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the tenth grade English II course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment.  Honors English II builds upon skills covered in English I and prepares students for Keystone exams, SATs, dual enrollment opportunities, and AP coursework.  Students are expected to work with a greater degree of independence, and there is more emphasis on precision in completed work.  Close reading of texts using detailed annotation is required. Honors students cover material in more depth.  They are expected to discuss material and produce written work with a higher degree of sophistication than English II students.

Prerequisites: English I or Honors English I 

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the tenth grade English II course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment.  English II builds upon skills covered in English I and prepares students for Keystone exams, SATs, dual enrollment opportunities, and AP coursework.  Students are expected to work with a greater degree of independence, and there is more emphasis on precision in completed work.  Close reading of texts using detailed annotation is required.

Prerequisites: English II or Honors English II & meets Honors Criteria

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College 

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the eleventh grade English III course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment.  Honors English III builds upon skills covered in English II via more complex texts and written requirements.  Students are expected to work with a greater degree of independence, and there is more emphasis on precision in completed work.  Close reading of texts using detailed annotation is required. Honors students cover material in more depth.  They are expected to discuss material and produce written work with a higher degree of sophistication than English III students.

Prerequisite: English II or Honors English II

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the eleventh grade English III course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment.  Honors English III builds upon skills covered in English II via more complex texts and written requirements.  Students are expected to work with a greater degree of independence, and there is more emphasis on precision in completed work.  Close reading of texts using detailed annotation is required.

Prerequisite: English III or Honors English III & meets Honors Criteria

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the twelfth grade Honors English IV course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment.  With increased focus on college and career readiness, Honors English IV builds upon skills covered in English III via more complex texts and written requirements.  Students complete college application or career exploration essays.  Close reading of texts using detailed annotation is required. Honors students cover material in more depth.  They are expected to discuss material and produce written work with a higher degree of sophistication than English IV students.

Prerequisite: English III or Honors English III

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College 

In accordance with Pennsylvania academic standards, the twelfth grade English IV course consists of the following: vocabulary; a study of various literary genres including short stories, drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel; writing in various modes such as expository, persuasive, and narrative, including a concentration on essay development and research skills. Students will be required to read and write independently (in and out of the classroom) as a mode of assessment.  With increased focus on college and career readiness, English IV builds upon skills covered in English III via more complex texts and written requirements.  Students complete college application or career exploration essays.  Close reading of texts using detailed annotation is required.

Prerequisites: Honors English II or Honors English III & meets meets AP/Honors Criteria

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College

As College Board indicates: “The AP English Language and Composition course 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. 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 . . . Students [who enroll] should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and to express themselves clearly in writing.” Due to the rigorous nature of AP coursework, students are expected to work independently and manage their time effectively.

Prerequisites: Honors English III & meets AP/Honors Criteria

***Dual Enrollment credits offered through Lackawanna College 

As College Board indicates: “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 . . . Students [who enroll] should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and to express themselves clearly in writing.” Due to the rigorous nature of AP coursework, students are expected to work independently and manage their time effectively.

Media Production introduces students to communicating ideas effectively in today’s digital world. Students will learn the foundational concepts and technical skills needed to compose, create, and share visual and digital media. Through hands-on projects, students will plan, record, edit, and publish video content focused on school events and student life.

As part of the course, students will collaborate to produce daily video announcements highlighting important information and activities within the school community. In addition, each student will independently create original video projects centered on school life or personal interests, building both creative and technical expertise.

In order to become digitally-savvy critical thinkers, students must learn to understand the power of media.  Through this course, students in grades 9-12 will develop the skills to assess, analyze, evaluate, even create media messages, moving them beyond media consumerism.  Students will analyze and evaluate the messages communicated through all forms of media, from news to advertising, in all mediums, especially digital and internet-based media.  Moreover, students will learn to utilize digital media, such as blogs, social media, and other tools, to inform audiences, applying technology tools to communicate and persuade.  This course will prepare students to navigate their digital, consumer-driven lives. 

Communications and Literacy is a project-based English elective designed to develop students’ real-world communication skills. The course integrates writing, public speaking, research development, content/career focused concepts, interview skills, and digital media to prepare students for both college and career environments.