Students will read a variety of genres and build both creative and critical thinking skills. In addition to the study of language, sentence structure, vocabulary, and punctuation, students will write literary paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays. Students will also develop their creative writing skills, with a focus on both poetry and short fiction. 

English 9 is also available as a yearlong course combined with Band 9.

Students will study short stories, poetry, novels, Shakespeare or other drama, informational text, and associated media, focusing on appreciation and analysis of literature. They will continue to develop speaking and research skills as well as expository and narrative writing skills. Students should expect to integrate technology into assignments and be willing to collaborate with peers. 

New Media 10 is a program of studies designed to reflect the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas. While developing the same skills and embodying the same rigour as noted in English 10 - Literary Studies and Composition, students will have the opportunity to explore and create texts through mediums such as websites, podcasts, documentary film, radio, and more. Students will also explore their digital presence and the credibility of online material. 

Students will study short stories, poetry, novels, and film, focusing on works created by Indigenous peoples locally and internationally; we will also forge an appreciation for the social context and analysis of each work. They will continue to develop speaking skills and research skills as well as expository and narrative and descriptive writing skills.  This course meets the Indigenous-focused content graduation requirement. 

Composition 11 is designed to support students as they refine, clarify, and adjust their written communication through practice and revision. Students will read and study compositions by other writers and be exposed to a variety of texts. The course provides opportunities for students to, with increasing independence, study, create, and write original pieces for a range of purposes and courses. They will expand their competencies through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising to build a body of work that demonstrates expanding breadth, depth, and evidence of writing for a range of situations.

Students will study short stories, poetry, novels, and film, focusing on works by Indigenous peoples locally and internationally; we will also forge an appreciation for the social context and analysis of each work. There is a social justice element to the themes based on historical context in many of the works. Students will continue to develop speaking skills and research skills as well as expository and narrative and descriptive writing skills. This course meets the Indigenous-focused content graduation requirement. 

Literary Studies 11 allows students to delve deeply into literature and pairs well with Literary Studies 12.  Students can explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works (fiction and non-fiction) in a variety of media. Students will increase their literacy skills through close reading of appropriately challenging texts, expand their development as educated global citizens, and further develop higher-level thinking and learning skills. Teachers may offer enrichment to students wishing to pursue “Advanced Placement Literature and Composition 12.” 

This English Studies 12 course builds on and extends students’ previous learning experiences in English 10 and 11 courses.  In this course, students will explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works and a variety of media.  Students will study a variety of texts to provide them with opportunities to refine their ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and to achieve their personal and career goals, think critically and creatively about the uses of language, and explore texts from a variety of sources, in multiple modes, that reflect diverse worldviews. Students will contribute to Reconciliation by building greater understanding of the knowledge and perspectives of First Peoples, and expand their understanding of what it means to be educated Canadian and global citizens. 

Students will study short stories, poetry, novels, nonfiction and film, focusing on works by both local and international Indigenous peoples; students will also forge an appreciation for the social context and analysis of each work. There is a social justice element to the themes based on historical context in many of the works. Students will develop oral communication, as well as expository, narrative and descriptive writing skills.  Students will study a variety of texts to provide them with opportunities to refine their ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and think critically and creatively about the uses of language. This course meets the Indigenous-focused content graduation requirement.

Structured around Literature 12, English 12 and Advanced Placement (AP) English, this linear course focuses on English literature through the ages, shifting to modern works in semester two. Students are prepared for the rigors of both academic and creative writing in post-secondary; if students opt to write the AP global exam in May, they may earn credit for first year post-secondary English at institutions around the globe. In the past, science students, aiming to receive credit for first year university English in order to open up university timetables, past students aiming for excellence in the humanities/arts and students aiming for law school, journalism, creative writing, English, or film studies, have found AEL a powerful course for developing and honing academic thinking and writing. It is beneficial to have strong foundation skills prior to enrolling in AEL; however, if students are willing to challenge themselves and pursue excellence, their appreciation of literature, analysis, speaking and writing will improve immensely throughout the year. Students will receive four credits each for English Studies 12 Honours and AP Literature & Composition.