English

American Literature : 0109 

0.5 credit 

Required 11th or 12th 

This one-semester course is designed to expose students to American voices by reading a wide variety of texts from the 17th-21st centuries, including speeches, poems, essays, and novels. Students will connect the texts of this course to their own lives and will compare authors’ attitudes to explore the views of other American citizens throughout history. By responding to literature through writing, discussions, and visuals, students will work to understand American experiences.  

British Literature : 0120 

0.5 elective English credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

This course includes a variety of works focusing on the development of British Literature from the AngloSaxon period through contemporary times. Students will study epic poetry, fiction, and drama from a historical and cultural context. Students will study entire pieces and excerpts from such works as Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays, Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, as well as a number of diverse contemporary British stories and poems. 

College Preparatory Writing : 0108 

0.5 credit (Meets Writing Requirement)

11th, 12th 

This one-semester course will allow college-bound students to practice college-level writing strategies, such as grammar, research, writing, and revision processes and skills as they draft the types of academic writing required in colleges and universities. 

While the content of College Preparatory Writing mirrors that of the second semester of Introduction to College Reading and Writing Strategies, students cannot receive dual credit for this course. Students should take either this course OR Introduction to College Reading and Writing Strategies.

Creative Writing : 0107 

0.5 credit (Meets Writing Requirement)

11th, 12th 

This one-semester course offers students the opportunity to express themselves through writing and to learn the skills, processes, and habits of successful, published writers.  Students will write daily and revise in multiple genres including write-ins, poems, descriptions of characters and settings, and a fictional novel. 

English I : 1100/2100 

1 credit 

Required 9th 

English I is a two-semester course devoted to developing a student’s reading, writing and speaking skills. The course will cover a broad range of thematic literature units, with diverse texts including short stories, drama, and novels. Students will improve upon their ability to construct complex sentences that are clear and concise, and write literary, argumentative, and research drafts. Students will participate in group and self-led discussions to become informed and well-spoken citizens of the future.  

English II : 1120/2120 

1 credit 

Required 10th 

English II, a two-semester course, builds on the skills mastered in English I: reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication. Throughout the year, we will explore both fiction and non-fiction texts in order to focus on the essential question, “How do others experience the world differently than I do?” English II covers a wide range of skills, focusing specifically on building analysis skills in the areas of character, theme, and author’s craft.

Journalism : 0103 

0.5 credit (Meets Writing Requirement) 

10th, 11th, 12th 

In this one-semester course, students will explore the fundamentals of journalism, focusing on how journalistic writing differs from academic or creative styles. The course will cover essential skills such as identifying newsworthy topics, gathering and verifying information, conducting interviews, and composing various types of articles, including news, feature, and opinion pieces. Students will also develop their copyediting abilities using the AP Style Guide and learn about the principles of journalistic ethics. Throughout the semester, students will publish their articles on an online classroom platform, accessible by peers, parents, and staff. 

Nonfiction Studies : 0102 

0.5 credit (Meets Writing Requirement)

11,12th 

In Nonfiction Studies, students will closely read, examine, and discuss various modes of nonfiction writing. Students will have opportunities to break down complex processes into manageable steps, explore different perspectives and write about them using narrative techniques of nonfiction authors, articulate and present personal strengths and achievements, and analyze and employ persuasive techniques to communicate opinions succinctly. 

Read 180 : 1103/2103 

1 elective English credit 

9th 

Teacher recommendation required 

Read 180 is a one year elective English class designed to help students become more effective readers.  Rotating between computer software, a class workbook, and independent reading, students will work to improve reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills. 

Myths and Legends : 0110

0.5 credit 

11th, 12th 

This semester elective examines the themes, symbols, and histories within the mythology of various regions around the world. A key focus will be recognizing mythological parallels across cultures, highlighting common human experiences and archetypes. Students will share their findings and insights through class discussions, written responses, visual projects, and quizzes and tests.

AP English Literature : 1110/2110 

1 credit (Meets Writing Requirement)

11th, 12th 

Advanced Placement English Literature focuses on reading, interpreting, discussing, and writing about literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and analysis to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use various techniques to communicate their experience of what it means to be human. Students taking this course should plan on taking the AP English Literature and Composition test in the spring. 

Film Studies : 0117 

0.5 elective English credit 

11th, 12th 

A one-semester course, Film Studies is designed to introduce students into the world of film analysis and film production. In this course we will learn elements of screenwriting, various film techniques, how to write analytically about film, and film production. Students will be expected to write, learn elements of film , and learn elements of film production, various film techniques, and how to analytically write about film 

English Language Studies : 0113 

0.5 elective English credit 

10th, 11th, 12th 

English Language Studies is a one-semester course in which we will study various branches of linguistic study, including phonology, morphology, and etymology.  Students will be able to explore and explain how language is tied to identity.