Grade 9;  Credits - 1

This course, required of all ninth grade students, will provide the opportunity to become active participants in the reading, writing, speaking and thinking process.  Students will be challenged to discover and formulate their own creative responses in the areas of literature, composition and speech.

Grade 9;  Credits - 1

In contrast with English 9, students in this class are exposed to a greater variety of genres in world literature.  An added emphasis is placed on literary devices and techniques in the writing of literature.  Grammar and vocabulary is studied in greater depth, and speech is dealt with in terms of more challenging topics and styles of delivery.  

Grade 10;  Credits - 1

The content of this course, required of all tenth grade students, will focus primarily on literature with the reading, writing, thinking and speaking skills necessary for success originating from the text presented.

Grade 10;  Credits - 1

Honors 10 students are required to read and analyze selected classics in American and British literature.  Literature is studied in greater detail, with emphasis on recognizing literary technique and style.  Students are expected to think analytically by engaging in close readings with multiple types of texts.  Sophisticated topics and styles are demanded in composition, with opportunities for creative writing.  Additional areas of study include vocabulary expansion, active reading strategies, and grammar study and reinforcement. 

Grade 11;  Credits - 1

In this class students study American literature, speech and composition.  Speech emphasizes the value and techniques of discussion.  Composition emphasizes the desirability of writing sophisticated critical thoughts about American literary works.  Finally, in literature, students read the works of select American authors and thinkers of the last two centuries.

Grade 12;  Credits - 1

This course will survey both fictional and nonfictional literary genres with a heavy focus on college-level writing tasks and a year-long senior research project connected to a career-based topic.  Students will be challenged to develop critical thinking skills through a curriculum chosen to prepare them for college and beyond.  Themes and motifs to be studied through this course will include personal ethics and character, current trends in morality, popular culture and heroism, power, definitions of success and failure, fate versus control, societal standards and others.

Grade 11;  Credits - 1

This college level class will demand that students read a number of texts and participate in interpretive discussion in American Literature.  It also seeks to encourage students to form connections, as well as question connections.  This course will require a great deal of thought, and each student needs to think of himself or herself as an intellectual. Coursework requires in-depth reading of text, written analysis, and projects expected of a college-level English course.  College credit is available through Mt. Aloysius College.  Prerequisite:   Proficient or Advanced on Literature Keystone Exam.  This course is also offered during the summer.

Grade 11;  Credits - 1

The focus is language and composition.  This work will assist students to become skilled readers of nonfiction prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts.  The course will also give students practice and helpful criticism necessary to make them flexible writers who can compose in a variety of modes and for a variety of purposes. Summer work is required for this course.  Prerequisite:  Proficient or Advanced on Literature Keystone Exam.

Grade 12;  Credits - 1

The focus is literature and composition.  Students will develop critical standards for the appreciation of any literary work by examining its structure, meaning, and value and its relationship to contemporary experience as well as to the times in which it was written.  Writing assignments will focus on the critical analysis of literature. 

Summer work is required for this course.  Prerequisite:  Proficient or Advanced on Literature Keystone Exam.

Grade 9-12;  Credits - 1

Activities and lessons center on the role and importance of journalism and the modern journalist in society, including media literacy. The main objective of this course is to produce The Warrior, the high school student news publication. Primary responsibilities include the actual reporting, writing, editing, design and publishing of The Warrior in print and digital platforms. Fundraising is a required part of this course. This course is open to all students, grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Interested students must complete an online application form. The sponsor may make the final decision on students admitted to this course due to limited space.

The main objective of this course is to produce Images, the school’s yearbook.  Activities and lessons include the following: interviewing techniques, writing copy, layout design, revising and editing for copy and design elements, sales and promotion.  Fundraising is a required part of this course. This course is open to all students in grades 9-12.  Prerequisite:  Interested students must complete an application form, which can be obtained from the sponsor prior to scheduling.  The sponsor will make the final decision on students admitted to this course. 

Grade 9-12;  Credits - .5

This course will develop the communication abilities of each student in the following areas: vocal techniques, diction, non-verbal communication, listening skills, public speaking, organizational skills and persuasive skills. This course will also introduce the principles of debate.  Emphasis is placed on argument, refutation, research, and logic. Upon completion, students should be able to use research skills and logic in the presentation of ideas within the context of formal debate.

Grade 10-12;  Credits - .5

This course will further develop the communication abilities of each student in the following areas: vocal techniques, diction, non-verbal communication, listening skills, public speaking, organizational skills and persuasive skills. This course will also introduce the principles of debate. Emphasis is placed on argument, refutation, research, and logic. Upon completion, students should be able to use research skills and logic in the presentation of ideas within the context of formal debate.  Prerequisite: Students must pass Speech and Debate I in order to enroll in this course.

Grade 9-12;  Credits - 1

Creative Writing/Composition explores various genres of writing, including short fiction, poetry, memoir, nonfiction, and more.  In addition, students of this course will produce Traces, the high school’s literary magazine.  Lessons and activities will focus on writing, editing and publishing a variety of fiction and nonfiction compositions; writing and editing magazine copy; evaluating student-produced writing, artwork and photography; and assisting with the overall layout, design, promotion and sale of the magazine.  Fundraising is a required part of this course.  This course is open to all students in grades 9-12.

Grade 11-12;  Credits - 1

Earn credit while gaining real-world experience! Students who excel in technology and/or literacy are invited to take this internship class, where they will assist their peers in multiple areas, including computer and tech support, writing center tutoring, and multimedia integration. Interns will be taught essential skills to act as peer tutors and will take on responsibilities such as reviewing, promoting, and sharing new concepts and literature, as well as identifying current resources, media, and guest speakers to connect students with career information.  A key component of this course is community-based service. Students will plan extracurricular community events, such as holiday-themed activities, cultural nights with food trucks, and bingo nights, fostering engagement beyond the classroom. Any funds raised will be used to support future activities as well as donations to non-profit organizations.  Additionally, students will complete a study of media, including topics like fake news, news literacy, and the impact of social media.  By the end of the course, interns will create a resume that highlights this hands-on experience as an employment opportunity. Enrollment requires an application emphasizing students’ skills and areas of interest. Due to capacity limits, not all applicants will be accepted. Students pursuing a degree in education or the multimedia field are especially encouraged to apply. Apply Here.

This honors level course is directed towards preparation for college-bound students in the area of writing. Students will be required to write in a myriad of genres, in preparation for the types of writing required for collegiate success. Writing has been identified as an educational weakness in students entering college for decades. Through connections with local higher education institutions, we will focus on closing the gap between high school and college.College credit is available through WCCC.