English

MATH           SCIENCE           SOCIAL STUDIES          PE & HEALTH            ELECTIVES            ESOL            VIRTUAL VIRGINIA

 All 9th graders will take one of the following courses:

English 9    

Grade 9                                                            Credit 1  

In this course, students will read a variety of literature, exploring the characteristics of different forms and relating life situations to literary themes. Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students will build on their understanding of writing as a process. Students will practice discussion skills and will give oral presentations to develop poise and confidence.

English 9 Honors                                                           

Grade 9                                                               Credit 1

Recommended:  “B” or higher in Language Arts 8 or Teacher recommendation

In this course, students learn the skills needed to be successful in upper level English courses, including research, close reading, literary analysis, study of rhetoric, vocabulary development, and writing detailed analyses. 

All 10th graders will take one of the following courses:

English 10                                                       

Grade 10                                              Credit 1

In this course, students will read a variety of literature texts and will learn about language history and structure, in addition to comparing and contrasting settings, characterizations, conflicts, points of view, and themes.  Language student includes spelling, vocabulary, verbal analogies, and learning about language history and structure.  

English 10 Honors    (Semester Only  Course)                                             

Grade 10                                                      Credit 1   

Recommended:  “B” or higher in English 9 Honors or Teacher recommendation

This course is a continuation of the  English 9 Honors curriculum with students to develop skills for use in AP Language and Composition, AP Language and Composition, and AP Literature and Composition.  Skills include rhetorical analysis, literary analysis, essay writing, research, and vocabulary development. 

English 10 Honors/Advanced Placement European History (Yearlong Course)

Grade 10                                            Credit 1

Prerequisite: "B" or greater in 9th grade social studies or teacher recommendation

This college-level course coordinates English 10 Honors curriculum with that of AP European History. Students explore the political, economic, social, and cultural developments in Europe from 1450 to the present as they analyze historical evidence and express historical understanding through writing.  Analytical writing will be required, both in essays developed within the framework of the class and in papers developed as a result of research assignments.

Please note: There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required.  Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee. 

 All 11th graders will take one of the following courses:

English 11                                                       

Grade 11                                              Credit 1

In this course, students critically analyze and evaluate relationships among American literature, history, and culture. Analysis of literary themes, movements and genres, vocabulary development, application of the information management process, the study of grammar, and oral communication skills are an integral part of this course.  This is an SOL class. This is an SOL class. 

English 11 Honors                                           

Grade 11                                              Credit 1

Recommended:  “B” or higher in English 10 or Teacher Recommendation        

This is a one-year curriculum of American literature specifically designed for students desiring a more academically rigorous English course. The course format is primarily reading, writing, discussing, and presenting. This is an SOL class. 

AP English Language and Composition (Semester Only Course)                                    

Grade 11                                              Credit 1

Recommended: “B” or higher in  English 9 and 10 Honors or Teacher recommendation

This college-level English course is for the student who needs and desires the challenge of an advanced English class.  Students will master all English 11 performance indicators of the curriculum guide and complete a study of American Literature. The focus of this course relies heavily on nonfiction works.  In May, students will take an exam to qualify for advanced standing in college and/or college credit. This is an SOL class. 

Please note: There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required.  Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee. 

AP Seminar/AP English Language and Composition (Yearlong Course)                               

Grade 11                                              Credit 2

Prerequisite: Completion of Capstone Scholar Application

Recommended:  Completion of English 9-Honors and English 10-Honors or AP European/English 10-Honors with a "B" or higher

Requirement: Completion of the AP Seminar exam and successful completion of English SOL exams

AP Seminar is a foundational course that aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. Using an inquiry framework of questioning, understanding, evaluating, synthesizing, and transforming, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; experiencing artistic works and performances; conducting research and evaluating evidence; constructing and supporting arguments; and collaborating and communicating. The course topics and themes engage students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world issues through the examination of divergent perspectives.

As articulated in the AP English Course Description, the purpose of AP English Language and Composition is to “enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose…to communicate effectively with mature readers” (The College Board 2010). This course is constructed in accordance with those guidelines. Through close readings and focused written assignments, students become more aware of rhetorical strategies and the purposeful use of language. As this awareness grows, students are more readily able to incorporate these same strategies into their own writing and to cultivate personal writing styles. Students will also develop the skills needed to analyze visuals (photographs, paintings, sculptures, political cartoons, advertisements, etc.) with the same critical lens used on traditional print texts.

Please note: There is an AP exam associated with both courses. The AP Seminar exam is required but AP English Language is not.  Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee. 

All 12th graders will take one of the following courses:

English 12                                                       

Grade 12                                                         Credit 1

Prerequisite:  English 11 or AP English Language

In this course, students critically analyze and evaluate relationships among British literature, history and other cultures. This course focuses on analysis of literary themes, movements and genres, vocabulary development, application of the information management process, the study of grammar, and oral communication skills. Writing narrative, analytical, expository, technical, and persuasive compositions, students reinforce skills studied in the grammar and literature studies are techniques taught in this course.

English 12 Honors                                           

Grade 12                                                   Credit 1

Recommended:  “B” or higher in English 11 or AP English Language or Teacher recommendation

This course teaches students to be better writers, critical thinkers, and readers. Students become better writers by mastering sentence combining for fluency and variety; using parallel structure; and reviewing the use of comas, semicolons, and colons. Skills such as critical thinking through the reading of major literary works, developing commentaries on novels, plays, and poems, writing on literary and personal topics, and researching primary and secondary sources.

AP Research/Public Speaking   (Yearlong Course)                          

Grade 12                                         Credit 1

Prerequisite: Completion of AP Seminar with at least a "C" or higher; Completion of the AP Seminar exam; Admission into the Capstone program

Requirement:  Completion of the AP Research exam 

AP (Advanced Placement) Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration students design, plan, and conduct a yearlong research-based investigation to address a research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of approximately 4000–5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.

Students will be working almost exclusively on their own research study, paper, and presentation while continuing to exercise the QUEST inquiry framework established during the first course in the series, AP Capstone - Seminar.  This is the final course required in the AP Capstone program.

Paired with AP Research, public speaking provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and deliver well-organized speeches and participate in group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support. This course is designed to cover the basics of good public speaking and build confidence in speakers. By giving opportunities to make several speeches in a smaller, controlled setting, the class will encourage familiarity with speaking in front of others through practice in an encouraging, non-threatening atmosphere.

Dual Enrollment English 111/112 (Semester Course Only)                                      

Grade 12                                      Credit 1

Prerequisite:  NOVA application, 3.0 GPA or NOVA placement test, and English 11 or AP English Language 

These courses introduce students to critical thinking and the fundamentals of academic writing. Through the writing process, students refine topics; develop and support ideas; investigate, evaluate, and incorporate appropriate resources; edit for effective style and usage; and determine appropriate approaches for a variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes. Writing activities will include exposition and argumentation with at least one researched essay. English 112 further develops students' ability to write for academic and professional contexts with increased emphasis on argumentation and research. 

Please note: Upon successful completion (must earn a “C” or higher for both courses) of this course, students will receive six college credits. Students must pass College English 111 with a “C” or higher in order to take College English 112. Both courses are taught in one semester.  Students who successfully complete Dual Enrollment English 111 and 112 will earn one credit (1/2 credit each for English 111 and English 112) which meets graduation requirements for their 12th grade English.