Program of Studies

CCP Offerings - 11th or 12th Grade Core Replacement

Students must complete at least four core credits of high school English to earn a high school diploma. In grades 11 and 12, those students choosing the one semester core offering must also choose one Selective course to complete the full credit in that year. Electives cannot be used to meet graduation requirements in English, but will count toward the overall graduation requirement of 20 credits. Below is a printable list of courses available at WCHS.

For a description of each course, please see the links below and expand the course for more information.

9th Grade Core Offerings

Honors English I - Grade 9, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

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Course Fee $15.00

Honors English I is a rigorous academic course that works to prepare students for college entrance exams. In this course, students will participate in the study of vocabulary, grammar, literature, oral communication and composition. Literature studies will focus on short stories, plays, poetry, and informational text. Students’ writing will focus on the multi-paragraph essay as well as an introduction to research and M.L.A. documentation. Students in Honors English I will be expected to select, read and analyze additional works of literature and develop a sophisticated approach to both reading and writing, along with the strengthening of argumentation skills. Students will participate in collaborative assignments, critical thinking activities, and will be given ample opportunity to hone their speaking skills.

English I - Grade 9, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

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Course Fee $15.00

In English I, literary study focuses on the analysis of selected short stories, novels, plays, poetry, informational text as well as oral communication. Composition stresses the multi-paragraph theme with emphasis on supporting the thesis statement, attaining unity and coherence, strengthening argumentation and an introduction to research and M.L.A. documentation. Vocabulary study emphasizes words often found on college entrance exams. In addition, speech and visual literacy will be addressed. This course will begin preparing students for college reading and writing.

Foundations of English I - Grade 9, 1 Credit (recommendation only)

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Course Fee $15.00

This course contains most of the same topics as English I, but with a focus on mastery of only critical topics at a less rigorous pace. It is geared toward students who need extra support with reading and writing fluency and comprehension. This course is required for graduation.

10th Grade Core Offerings

Honors English II - Grade 10, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English I or Honors English I

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Course Fee $15.00

Honors English II is a rigorous academic course that continues to prepare students for the English Literature Advanced Placement exam. In Honors English II, the emphasis is on classic literature and informational text. The pace is accelerated, the ideas and themes sophisticated. Composition instruction is expanded to include expository and argumentative themes; often, themes are of extended length and various writing techniques are explored. Research skills are further developed by the writing of an argumentative research paper. Oral communication skills are also taught and grammar refined. Visual literacy will also be addressed.

English II - Grade 10, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: none

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Course Fee $15.00

English II is divided into two areas of focus: composition and vocabulary study, and literature and informational text. Composition study and practice is designed to help students refine and polish the multi-paragraph essay. There is an emphasis on grammar and organizing a paper and supporting the thesis. It also encourages students to develop a personal style through interesting introductions and conclusions, progressively sophisticated sentence structure, and exact word choice. Students write a variety of types of essays using a wide range of strategies. Students read diverse literature and informational text to refine thinking and writing skills. Composition skills, including appropriate vocabulary and mechanics, continue to be stressed throughout the semester. In addition, speech and visual literacy will be addressed.

Foundations of English II - Grade 10, 1 Credit (recommendation only)

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

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Course Fee $15.00

This course contains most of the same topics as English II, but with a focus on mastery of only critical topics at a less rigorous pace. It is geared toward students who need extra support with reading and writing fluency and comprehension. This course is designed to prepare students for the end of course exam in ELA required for graduation.

11th Grade Core Offerings

Honors English III - Grade 11, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English II or Honors English II and teacher recommendation

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Course Fee $15.00

Honors English III is a rigorous academic course that serves as a more challenging option than English III. Students should be proficient in the mechanics and construction of the multi-paragraph writing conventions. Composition emphasizes the student’s ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate literary themes, styles, and structures. Students are exposed to literary criticism. Research skills are stressed, as well as vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and test-taking. This course involves a considerable amount of out of class reading and writing, including mandatory summer reading assignments. College and career readiness is the goal.

12th Grade Core Offerings

Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature - Grade 12, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English III or Honors English III and teacher recommendation

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Course Fee $15.00 + AP Test Fee

This is a rigorous course that focuses on refining literary analysis skills. In AP English Literature, students read and analyze a substantial body of diverse literature and are required to present their analysis of that literature in speech and writing that meets college-level standards of content and mechanics. Because the course is designed for students who plan to take the Advanced Placement exam in May, timed writings are emphasized, although out-of-class papers are also required. College and career readiness is the goal.

CCP Offerings - 11th or 12th Grade Core Replacement

English Comp 101 (Cincinnati State) - Grade 11 or 12, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: A or B in most recent English class; or by permission of instructor; passing score on most recent state English assessment is also required. Meet all criteria for acceptance. (see CCP Handbook)

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Course Fee $15.00

This rigorous course is an introduction to college writing and focuses on understanding the writing process, developing a strong thesis, providing sufficient evidence for claims, and writing essays with grammatical, mechanical, and stylistic correctness. Topics include pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, identifying audience, and conducting research.

English Comp 102 (Cincinnati State) - Grade 11 or 12, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: C or better in English Comp 101

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Course Fee $15.00

This course is a continuation of College Composition 101. Topics include: critical reasoning; argumentation; the research process and the research paper; and reading, synthesizing, and responding critically to policy-driven research.

11th and 12th Grade Selectives

(to be taken with English III Core or English IV Core)

Creative Writing - Grades 11 or 12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

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Course Fee $10.00

This course is designed for students who have an interest in creative writing within poetry, plays, visuals (cartoons, memes, graphic

novels), and creative nonfiction. This semester-long writing course focuses on writing as a creative process. Students will submit

drafts to peer editors for critique and then revise to incorporate the changes necessary for a polished work. Special emphasis will be

placed on each student creating a collection of their work influenced by analysis of mentor texts. Students may also submit work for

publication.

Film Studies - Grade 11 or 12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

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Course Fee $10.00

Stories told with film have a tremendous influence on our attitudes and perceptions of the world around us. In fact, films may be one of the most powerful tools in modern culture for shaping values and conveying information. In this semester-long reading focused course, films will be utilized as the primary texts for analysis, discussion and writing. Students will develop and demonstrate skills in technological, cultural, and media literacy, as well as critical thinking - skills that will serve them well in the real world.

Holocaust Studies - Grades 11 and 12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

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Course Fee $10.00

This semester-long reading focused course explores and analyzes the complex factors contributing to the Holocaust through the use of informational texts and works of literature. Students will interpret the events of 1933-1945 and evaluate the impact of the genocide on post-war Europe and generations to come. Through the Echoes and Reflections Holocaust curriculum guide, students will look at the Holocaust both chronologically and thematically. In addition, students will explore many elements of psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, and economics. .

Mystery and Horror - Grade 11 or 12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Course Fee $10.00

This semester-long reading focused course introduces students to the conventions and techniques used in creating works of mystery and horror. Students will examine what drives mysteries, the tension that defines suspense, and our fear of the unknown that makes horror appeal to us as consumers of media. This course presents the works of key creators of these genres through an examination of fiction, poetry, film, television, gaming and social media.

Storytelling- Grade 11 or 12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

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Course Fee $10.00

This course is designed for students who have an interest in telling stories through short stories, mixed media formats, short films, historical fiction, and memoirs. This semester-long writing course focuses on storytelling as a creative process. Students will study mentor texts, submit drafts to peer editors for critique, and revise to incorporate the changes necessary for a polished work.

Speech - Grades 11 or 12, 0.5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

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Course Fee $10.00

This semester-long writing course is designed to improve the student’s ability to communicate orally. Students will prepare, write, deliver, and evaluate a variety of oral presentations, including speeches to inform, to persuade, and to entertain. Emphasis will be placed on crafting well-structured, impactful speeches through effective writing and then presenting them with confidence and clarity. The class will also focus on interpersonal communication, extemporaneous speaking, body language, audience analysis and listening, and research skills, ensuring students develop a comprehensive foundation in both the written and spoken aspects of communication.