English
4.0 credits of English are required for West Valley High School students, 1.0 credit earned per year.
All students will take English 9 during freshman year. During sophomore, junior, & senior year, students will choose between general english or pre-AP/AP English. See course descriptions below!
9th Grade English
English 9 (ENG101/102)
English 9 is a year-long introductory course intended to prepare all students for the traditional or Pre-AP/ AP English tracks. The course focuses on composition skills and literary analysis. Students will develop different types of writing, including personal narratives, informational/expository, and argumentative. To build these skills, students will engage and navigate through complex literature, including poetry, short stories, essays, novels and various forms of nonfiction. This course requires organizational and multi-tasking skills, critical thinking, and the determination to establish autonomy with the writing process. On average, expect 1-2 hours of homework a week.
10th Grade English Options
English 10 (ENG201/202)
English 10 is a year-long course focusing on composition skills and literary analysis. Students will develop different types of writing including personal growth narratives, informational/expository, and argumentative with an emphasis on rhetoric. To build these skills, students will engage and navigate through complex literature, including epic poems, plays, short stories, essays, and novels, focused on Western Civilization classics and archetypes of plot development. This course requires organizational and multi-tasking skills, critical thinking, and the determination to establish autonomy with the writing process. On average, expect 2-3 hours of homework a week.
Pre-AP English 10 (ENG203/204)
Pre-AP English is a year-long preparatory course for Advanced Placement Language and Literature. It is assumed that students taking Pre-AP are planning on enrolling in the AP English program during their junior and senior year, or wanting a challenging course to take before making the decision to enroll in the running start program. Students will develop different styles of writing, focusing on analytical and argumentative paragraphs and essays. To help build these skills, we work diligently on various strategies to help students find their voice. Students will also navigate through complex literature, complete engaging projects, and have enlightening discussions on the materials and concepts we cover in class. The Pre-AP English program requires organizational and multitasking skills, critical thinking, and the determination to be an autonomous agent of your learning. Not sure if Pre-AP is for you? Check out this video on how it can help get you ready for your future AP classes
11th Grade English Options
English 11 (ENG301/302)
English 11 is a year-long course focusing on composition skills and literary analysis. Students will develop different types of writing including college admissions-based personal narratives, informational/expository, and argumentative with an emphasis on rhetoric. To build these skills, students will engage and navigate through complex literature, including epic poems, plays, short stories, essays, and novels, focused on American Literature and archetypes of plot development. This course requires organizational and multi-tasking skills, critical thinking, and the determination to establish autonomy with the writing process. On average, expect 3-4 hours of homework a week.
AP English Language & Composition (ENG303/304)
Requirement
Fee: $98 for AP Exam (subject to change)
Advanced Placement (AP) English Language & Composition is a year-long college level course intended to prepare students for the rigors of college level thinking, reading and writing. The course focuses on composition skills and rhetorical analysis of non-fiction text. Students will develop and refine different types of writing including: rhetorical analysis, argumentation, synthesis and college admissions essays. To build these skills, students will engage and navigate through complex essays, letters, speeches, biographies, editorials, advertisements and narrative non-fiction. The AP English program requires organizational and multi-tasking skills, critical thinking, and the determination to establish autonomy with the writing process. Students may opt to take the AP English Language & Composition examination in May for possible college credit. On average, expect 3-4 hours of homework a week.
12th Grade English Options
English 12 (ENG401/402)
English 12 is a year-long writing and analytical reading course. Throughout the course of the year, students will be enhancing their already established analytical reading and writing skills. Students will develop essays focused on narrative, explanatory, argumentative, and research based writing, and they will also engage in complex literature focused on non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy, short stories, novels, poems, and essays. Students will also learn about college-based research skills, real-life document analysis, and college admission essays. On average, expect 3-4 hours of homework a week.
AP English Literature & Composition (ENG403/404)
Requirement: Summer Assignment
Fee: $98 for AP Exam (subject to change)
The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, and drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of texts ranging from different literary movements and representing many voices and cultures in order to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and introspection. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. This is a fun yet challenging course designed to strengthen your writing skills and broaden your abilities in analyzing literature. While students do work hard to prepare for the exam in May, this class will also help you get ready to start whatever your next chapter after high school might be. Check out the syllabus to learn more.